Roots and Blues Mandolin: Learn the Essentials of Blues Mandolin - Rhythm & Lead - By Playing Classic Songs (Acoustic Guitar Private Lessons)

I usually give most items I buy five stars. There are so many books on Bluegrass. This is a welcome change. Steve James does a great job with this book. I have subscribed to Acoustic Guitar magazine and his songs and music are great. Sometimes there is very complex material so I put it aside and come back later.Why four stars?????I don't like taking the chance going to websites and downloading a CD to use. I have had past issues downloading tracks and its been a nightmare. Then calling or emailing trying to get it straightened out. I am Old School to the max, and not a tech type person. There are a few of us left. LOLOLOLThe songs are fine, but short. The different blues solos are a good thing to know. This is a good book for many skill levels. Mandolin is a different feel than banjo or guitar. If you can listen to the tracks slowly and read tabs, you can play these tunes. Since this is Blues type material, maybe even play some scales with certain blues jam tracks to get a feel also. If you play guitar this is a good book to break into to learn some mandolin.

I'm grateful to Steve James for producing this book. The licks and riffs he introduces are pure blues. The songs he uses take a player right into the good stuff. The accompanying downloads for each piece are spot on. My only complaint is that there's not a follow up book from this master teacher. Hey, Steve, if you're listening, I want a "Roots & Blues Mando II" book now!

The book looks great, but I can't listen to the tracks as it takes at least 24 hours for them to download. Customer service from Acoustic Guitar was unable to help me download the tracks.

It was my own fault. I thought there was a CD with the book and there was not. I wasn't sure how to send it back, so just decided to keep it.

nicely presented...easy to understand...does the job

Steer clear of this. All audio examples are downloadable only, not included with the book as a CD, and the link no longer works. So - you wasted your money.

This guy knows his business. Helpful and informed. Not stupid. Your chance to share ancient knowledge from the roots for mere money. Get it now.

I really enjoy this book; it is the perfect instruction book for learning to add some variation to your mandolin playing instead of bluegrass all the time. I refer to it often.

THIS DOES NOT EVEN DESERVE A STAR NO cd CAN'T DOWNLOAD ONE AND I EVEN WROTE TO THE COMPANY IN THE STATES NO REPLY, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY FELLOW MANDOLINERS

The roots and blues mandolin book is ideal for the intermediate player, but I found that I need more practice. It will be useful in the future.