Crosspicking Mandolin

Published by: Mel Bay Publications Mandolin Crosspicking Technique Book Current Price: 15.95

Book Format/Tablature Comprehensively written with many exercises and classic and contemporary crosspicking mandolin melodies. Level: Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced 128 Pages in Length Read the latest review published by "Mandolin Magazine" at: Mandolin Magazine Review! Sample Pages Available In Adobe Acrobat Format: "Table of Contents and Title Page" in Adobe Acrobat Download File "Under the Double Eagle" in Adobe Acrobat Download File "Grandfather's Clock" in Adobe Acrobat Download File

Mel Bay writes: "This excellent method book offers the intermediate to advanced mandolinist a new voice through mastery of crosspicking technique. It is purposely written in mandolin tablature only as tab illustrates the crosspicking technique more clearly than standard notation. The authoritative text presents essays on tuning, tablature reading, pick strokes, and right hand technique and includes appendices with extensive suggestions for further listening and study. Offers chapters on bluegrass, fiddle, classical, and jazz/ragtime styles plus numerous exercises and arrangements of tunes using the crosspicking technique. Each tune is preceded by a preparatory study that provides a solid technical grounding before attempting the piece itself. Illustrated with chord diagrams and photographs of a variety of rare and interesting mandolins. 128 perfect-bound pages" 128 pages of exercises, songs, and technique builders Covers basic flatpicking techniques in detail along with the development of the crosspicking style including: "Getting Oriented" "Practice Makes Perfect" How to read tablature (having the ability to read music is not required) "Chord Diagrams" "Useful Tools" "Right Hand Technique" "Introductory Two-String Crosspicking" Many Different Flatpicking Rolls Introduced with Supporting Exercises Mandolin Crosspicking Techniques By Mickey Cochran Reviewed by Dave McCarty The crosspicking roll Jesse McReynolds pioneered on mandolin as a way to mimic the driving three-fingered bluegrass banjo roll created by Earl Scruggs has become one of the most elegant and broadly influential techniques ever created on mandolin. Not only has it become a staple of nearly every bluegrass mandolinist's repertoire, the versatile approach to generating long-ringing passages of notes has given musicians like Radim Zenkel and others a technique to stack arpeggios and other note combinations, further enhancing their creative expression on the instrument. But for its importance to the mandolin community, few books or videos have singularly approached this technique or expanded much beyond the familiar three-string roll used by most players. To remedy this deficiency, Mickey Cochran has taken a systematic approach that explores crosspicking as a total means of mandolin expression. "There are no limitations on how or where crosspicking can be applied," he writes in the introduction. "It's truly one approach to the mandolin that can be adapted to any style of music.   A thorough introduction to mandolin tablature, including attack symbols, chords and pick direction indicators, gives the beginning student a solid grounding in how to use the instruction material included here. More advanced players will likely skip right to the heart of the subject. Unlike many mandolin instruction books that are adaptations of fiddle or violin lessons, Mandolin Crosspicking Technique is written entirely in tablature; there's not a line of musical notation anywhere in the book. I feel that's actually a major strength in Cochran's approach to the subject, since, as in chromatic-style banjo, notation can be subject to interpretation while tab shows exactly which strings should be played at which frets. The book begins with simple two-string exercises, forward and reverse rolls and alternating bass patterns to give the student a thorough grounding in basic crosspicking techniques before moving on to common tunes like Wildwood Flower, Redwing and John Hardy. Cochran does an outstanding job here, giving the student a basic right-hand pattern to practice and the chords of the tune as preparatory work before giving them the actual tune to work on. This approach builds a logical progression of skills that the player can then use in their own playing. After a few bluegrass-style tunes, the book turns to fiddle tunes like Down Yonder and Whiskey Before Breakfast. Cochran has done a good job for the most part picking tunes the student is likely to actually play in their next jam session (although who ever heard of Bald Headed End of the Broom?) He even gives us some highly challenging tunes to work out, including Ode to Joy, and jazzier numbers like Cotton Patch Rag and Beaumont Rag. The book ends with a nice discography and a list of suggested materials for further study. One could complain that this book does not include the typical companion CD playing each example, but the text is so clear and each tune is so well written out that almost any serious mandolin student ought to be able to read through these pieces without needing to hear them. Mandolin Crosspicking Technique does a fine job introducing the mandolin student to the basic principles of this fascinating technique, and shows them some exciting possibilities for some advanced uses of this engaging, versatile style. If you've never really explored this aspect of mandolin or want to add some new approaches to your current crosspicking technique, this book is an excellent place to start. Mel Bay Publications MB96613 PO Box 66, Pacific, MO 63069 1-800-863-5229 www.baysidepress.com Text and images ©1999-2006 - Mandolin Magazine PO Box 13537, Salem, Oregon 97309 503-364-2100 Fax: 503-588-7707 Mandolin Magazine Reviews "Crosspicking Mandolin Technique" This book also makes a good basic instruction manual to learning tablature, flatpicking tips and techniques and ultimately mastering the mandolin. A review by Alan M. Bond: If you're into exotic mandolin styles reminiscent of the great masters of bluegrass who broke away from the Bill Monroe tradition, then you're in for a treat. Mandolin Crosspicking Technique by Mickey Cochran is the perfect beginning, middle, and end for the mandolinist entering the mystifying realm of crosspicking. Crosspicking is said to have begun with Jesse McRynolds, who learned by imitating the three-finger banjo roll. Used by many other bluegrass stars, the roll may be your key to success. In Mandolin Crosspicking Technique you learn in detail a beautiful range of rolls: forward, reverse, and alternating bass. This book also transcribes a variety of tunes, many of which you'll recognize, to help you learn the essence of the crosspicking style. From there, you can integrate Cochran's technique into your own style. This handy book could help you become the most famous mandolin crosspicking artist of all time! Alan Bond is a member of the Dark Hollow Bluegrass band based in San Francisco. Be sure to check out their website: Alan Bond's Mandolin Homepage Testimonials: Subject: Received the Crosspicking Instruction Book Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 08:57:43 -0600 Mickey; Thanks for the rapid delivery of you Crosspicking Instruction Book. I was pleasantly surprised to find so much valuable introductory information (ie.,tuning,reading tab, rhythm, etc) and number of songs in the book. I have much work ahead, Right off the bat your crosspicking exercises have helped me out. I have been doing forward rolls for some time now, but after going after the alternating bass exercises in your book, my right hand has gotten more controlled and a bit more fluid. Thanks again, David C. Haight Date: Fri, 02 May 2003 21:34:19 -0700 Subject: crosspicking recording(s) Hi Mickey, Your crosspicking book is a great teaching resource has been one of the most useful mando books i have encountered. Yes, I have most every McReynolds, Tiny Moore, Grisman, Wakefield, Thile, and Kenny Hall recording with crosspicking available, but here is the inevitable request: Pending your CD to accompany your great crosspicking book, can I buy ANY recording of you crosspicking one or more of the pieces from your book. I really love the selections, but am finding it a bit slow going without a recording to guide me. I would not mind making a fair contribution toward your next recording effort if you could sell me even an unedited cut or two. thanks, john comstock Greetings John, Thanks so much for your kind enthusiasm regarding my crosspicking instructional material. Yes, the crosspicking accompaniment CDs, for the "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" and the "Guitar Crosspicking Technique", are in planning. Therefore, please stay tuned with us on their release. Now, I have performed a few of the crosspicking mandolin, and guitar, pieces on our website as instrument video samplers: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm Unfortunately, I do not have them all documented...and, therefore, am not too sure of each instrumental's location. You're welcome to go through these samplers, at the above link, to see if you discover any of them...I will also try to add a few more crosspicking arrangements in upcoming video samplers soon to be posted. Keep on pickin', Mickey Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 Thanks for the kind words regarding my Crosspicking Mando book. I could go on for quite some time about it, but suffice it to say it's well organized, easy to follow and pleasing to the eye in its page layout. Plus there's so much common sense in there, it's almost scary :)) Garry Bryan Andy Sicard By the way, I have your Crosspicking Mandolin Book and love it - well done! The exercises before the tunes are awesome and worth the price of the book by themselves. Excellent progression of techniques & tunes... I take my hat off to you! andy sicard Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 00:31:27 -0700 I recieved your gift this week , thank you you write a very clear and easy to read book that shows great knowledge and insight into not only playing but the process of learning as well I am sure your book (which I was going to buy) will be a great asset to my developing skills once again thank you George Gleason Date: 6 Dec 01 21:07:30 PST I might as well throw in a testimonial for your Mandolin Crosspicking book. I've been plugging away at it and find your strengthening and timing exercises to be fun, and really beneficial. My mandolin styling, as well as my musical sense have really accelerated as a result of using your book to guide my playing. I have been thinking for some time now that the only way I'd get past the limitations I'd encountered on the mandolin would be to get a personal instructor. Now, for only $20 and some elbow grease, I've leapt past my previous obstacles and am making the kind of music I had been hoping to make when I started playing the mandolin a year ago. Robin Lamb Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 Mickey and staff... Had foot surgery last Friday ....so I've been wearing the KM1000 out!! (and the Goodtime too!) Got my hands on a copy of your crosspicking book...looks like one of the better tomes I've seen on mandos'... the arrangment of Soldier's Joy kicks! I also like John McEuen rippining it on Uncle Daves old machine!! Hey, could you send a bumper (guitar case) sticker with that dobro if you have any? Thanks. Frank Parker Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 Hi Mickey, I just wanted to tell you that your Crosspicking book is one of the best books I have, and has greatly helped my flatpicking. I've always had a weak upstroke, and your exercises and songs have helped to develop my technique on both guitar and mandolin. I'm now learning to play the pedal steel. Sometimes I think I've got too many irons in the fire and not enough time. Anyway Thanks for a great book! Happy Holidays Ed Order The "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" Book Now Through Our Secure Server!

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