northwoodspicker - Posted - 09/28/2013:  20:52:58

Hey all-

I'm a banjo and guitar player and want to add mandolin to my sound. I've had my mandolin for a little under a year now and know some chords, but my relentless pursuit of bluegrass banjo has sort of prevented me from getting into it completely. Now that winter's come, I want to start tackling my mandolin a little more seriously.

I want to learn Monroe style mandolin. At least from my perspective, it seems a little simpler to understand as compared to Sam Bush and that whole perspective of approaching the instrument. Can anyone recommend a good book? I'm not so much for videos. Has anyone ever put together a nice transcription book of Bill's best known tunes? I know Mike Compton has transcribed a lot of Bill's playing. Has he published any of this?

Thanks all. I'm looking forward to integrating in here!

Joseph

Max Girouard - Posted - 09/28/2013:  20:58:59

I've learned a lot from this book..........

amazon.com/Mel-Bay-Monroe-Inst...786664878

This book has a lot of Bills really great tunes. I know you said your not much for videos, but he Sam and Bill videos from homespun have tab books that are great for learning more Monroe tunes.

ErikForGod - Posted - 09/30/2013:  09:30:09

I was the opposite....more of a video guy. I can't offer a good book...I wish I could, however Ronnie McCoury's video really helped me alot. Helped me to learn all of those heavy downstrokes and double stops and the vigorous tremolo of Monroe style mandolin.

Loarcutus - Posted - 09/30/2013:  10:20:19

Chris Henry is one of the most respected practitioner's of Monroe style mandolin. Chris teaches locally in Nashville, and does skype lessons online.

christopherhenry.net/

Chris Henry

Private Lessons/Skype/Custom Video Lessons

615.495.6835

cbhenry@visuallink.com

Nashville, TN

alubin - Posted - 09/30/2013:  10:50:33

I was lucky to have taken a workshop from Brian Ray of the Blue Grass Boys Reunion recently, who is another excellent Monroe-style player. His video channel is worth checking out (sorry, more video!). If he ever gives a workshop in your area it would definitely be worth taking. I think he's in the WI/IL area mostly.

BluegrassWarehouse - Posted - 10/02/2013:  18:46:53

Check out Mel Bay's "Play Like A Legend:  Bill Monroe Tunes & Songs For Mandolin" by Joe Carr.

amazon.com/Legend-Monroe-Tunes...ll+monroe

Lance