Bluegrass and Swing Tunebooks

A Fiddle Player's Guide to Jamming $14.95 with CD

Carl Yaffey and John Sherman

A really excellent book on the topic indicated by the title. It includes everything you need to know about playing with other people. Chapters include anatomy of a jam session, chords and keys, perdcussive vamping, melodic fills, harmony lines, taking a solo, double stopping, and most imoprtant jam session etiquette and rules! Also included are words and chords for several of the most popular songs and a CD for learning to play along! This is an incredible book- not too big but full of really important content for the beginning aspiring bluegrass, old-timey or folk musician.

All Star Bluegrass Jam Along $19.95

Darol Anger

This unique series of books was designed to teach aspiring pickers twenty one of the most widely known songs and instrumentals in the bluegrass repertoire. There are books and CD's for each instrument- guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and bass, so that all band members can learn their parts. On the CD, the backup band plays the chord changes to each tune several times through at a slow to moderate tempo. The lead solist plays his version of the basic melody, so you can learn it in its most elemental form. The second time he plays it in a slightly more adventurous way, to give you an idea as to where the tune can be taken in an imporvised solo. As the band plays, the soloist drops out for several choruses, so you can be the soloist with the back up band behind you for a fun and productive practice session.
The book provides you with printed notation and/or tablature so lthat you can learn to play intros, endings and both solos in note-for-note detail. You won't find a better way to learn important tunes and improve your instruments technique!!! Tunes include Blackberry Blossom, Sally Ann, Down in the Willow Garden, In the Pines and many other standards.

Bluegrass and Country Fiddle $59.95

Taught by Kenny Kosek

6 CD's and a book teaching Bluegrass fiddle. "All-in-all these tapes are down-right excellent. I couldn't recommend a better way of learning…short of moving in next door to Kenny Baker." Bluegrass Unlimited.

Bluegrass Practice $19.95 CD and Book

Traum, Keith, Campbell, Mason

Homespun has come out with several excellent practice CD's, of which this is one. Here are solid back-ups to ten popular bluegrass instrumentals, providing practice for the lead fiddle, banjo picker, mandolinist or guitarist. The band plays each tune several times through in both slow and up-to-tempo versions. Songs include Boil the Cabbage Down, Blackberry Blossom, Salty Dog, Arkansan Traveler, Turkey in the Straw, June Apple, All the Good Times, and Soldier's Joy. Go for it!

Encyclopedia of Irish and American Fiddle Tunes for Fingerstyle Guitar $24.95 with CD

Duck Baker

A pile of good tunes.

Favorite America Rags and Blues $12.95

Stacy Phillips

Culled from Stacy's American Fiddle Tunes Volume 2, now out of print.

Favorite American Waltzes for Fiddle $12.95

Stacy Phillips

This collection is comprised of transcriptions of traditional American waltzes played by well known fiddlers. There are very few duplications of tunes in the Bill Matheson Waltz Books; these in Stacy's book are generally really traditional waltzes played in the 20's and 30's when fiddlers were first starting to play lots of waltz tunes. They have withstood the test of time! Chords included. A good book to add to the collection of a fiddler who loves to play waltzes! Includes old classics like Over the Waves, Put your Little Foot, Kiss Me Again, and Peek-a-boo. !!!

Steve Kaufman's Four-Hour Bluegrass Workout Vol 1 and Vol 2 $44.95 each with 4 CD's

Steve Kaufman

4 CD lessons plus a 105 page book with chords, music and tab. This project provides you with a backup band that will give you rhythmic support, encourage you to learn new material and provide invaluable practice sessions. Each song is played three times slowly then three times faster. (CDs 1 and 2 contain the slow versions;3 and 4 bring you up to speed. "If you play guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo or bass, play along with these CD's every chance you get. They will build your stamina, speed, power, confidence, and be fun at the same time." Steve Kaufman. Our resident bluegrass instructor, Christian, recommends these to all his students!

Teach Yourself Bluegrass Fiddle $17.95 with CD

Matt Glaser

Teach yourself authentic bluegrass. Clear instructions from a professional; basics, bowing and left hand techniques, solos, backup, personal advice on performance and much more. Plus a complete selection of the best bluegrass songs and tunes to learn from.