• Select the mandolin that fits your needs
• Get a grip on chords and picking patterns
• Play bluegrass, blues, jazz, and old-time music

Don't just fret—start playing the mandolin!

From bluegrass to folk, rock to pop, and even global music, the mandolin has made its voice heard for nearly three centuries. When you're ready to start learning this popular instrument or expand on the skills and styles you've already developed, Mandolin For Dummies is an ideal starting spot. Renowned mandolin player Don Julin helps you learn the basics and get a feel for popular music styles like old-time, Irish, blues, bluegrass, swing, and jazz.

Inside...

• Pick up mandolin-friendly styles, including bluegrass
• Learn even more styles— blues, Irish, jazz, and old-time
• Build your skills with downloadable audio
• Discover 10 mandolin players you need to hear
• Become part of the growing mandolin community

Learn how fretting and picking can entertain friends!

The mandolin is making a big comeback among music enthusiasts. A longtime staple of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and country music, this fast-pickin' favorite featured heavily in traditional music from around the world is now seeing a resurgence in global pop.

In Mandolin For Dummies, accomplished composer, performer, and mandolin guru Don Julin breaks down the history and fundamentals of this versatile instrument, showing how you too can fret, pick, and strum with the best in the business. Packed with photos and diagrams to help you perfect your hand positioning, you'll make your way through a plethora of mandolin-friendly musical styles and learn how to take good care of your instrument—paying it back for all the pleasure it brings to you and your friends.

• Buy the right mandolin for you
• Pick up key musical styles
• Play along with downloadable exercises
• Restring your instrument

Whether this is your first instrument or you're adding to your repertoire, this little number has everything you need to get the most out of your mandolin!