Comments
from readers...
Brad,
I have both "Training
Camp" and "Master Class" and they are far superior to the thirty
or so other mandolin books I purchased. Master Class nails the
theory and Training Camp provides a sound practice roadmap. These two
books coupled with whatever songs I'm working on provide all the instruction
needed in a "USABLE" format. I just finished reading all your newsletters
and, of course, they are humorous and functional. You've done all us
mandonuts a great service. Thank You!!!
Vance
Hello Brad,
I just
want to tell what a great book "the mandolin masterclass" is. In
my opinion this is the best book out there. I'm buying another one for a
struggling friend. All is can say it's about time that someone did
this instead of just putting out stuff that really doesn't help people.
I have been looking for a training aid like this for years now.
Sincerely,
Dennis - Central
Oregon
Many thanks Brad!
I bought Mandolin
masterclass and workbook and have started running through them. Very
good material - well thought through and presented. A thinking man's
mando book. I like it. I'll be sticking with your material for
a while I think!
Many thanks,
Andy Lewis-- New
Zealand
Hi Brad,
I just received my
copy of Mandolin Master Class and have been reading and working my
way throught it. It's just the thing I've been looking for. Prior to
this, I'd just been seeking patterns up the neck that worked. It was
all quite random and hit-and-miss. Your book has really brought
order to my chaotic method of developing my improvisational skills.
Most instruction
books and videos that I have come in contact with seem to focus on
memorizing someone's version of fiddle tunes, note-by-note. This does
very little to help develop an understanding of why the notes are being
played in that order. I get bored very quickly with this sort of "instruction." Thanks
for the great book. It's a treasure.
Regards,
Al
Vancouver, Canada
Brad
I received the book
and CD yesterday. I've only had limited time to browse through, but what
I read really clicked. You and I think similarly when it comes to the
mando fretboard, and I can see this will be of great help to me.
I'll give you progress reports as time passes. Thank you again for
this wonderful collection of ideas.
Stephen
Napa, CA
Hi Brad,
Just a quick note
to let you know the book arrived and I have been working w/ it already
and I love it! Thanks so much for making this great instructional
tool available.
Dan
Jacksonville, FL
Brad,
I just
wanted to let you know that I got your book on Friday, two days after
you shipped
it. Thanks for being so prompt! I haven't gone all the way through
the book yet, but I definitely like what I've seen so far. I'm just
now getting into the "safe stones" to traverse when certain chords
are being played - which is one of the burning questions I'm trying
to get answered. I've been wanting to know what other notes I can safely
noodle around with when playing a melody note. Thanks also for the
suggestion to S..L..O..W down and analyze how I play each note. Your
list of things to think about has helped me already. I'll write again
after I've made it through the book, but I just wanted you to know
that I got the book and consider it a valuable learning tool which
is worth the money. You can quote me if you like.
Take care,
Kenny
Fuquay Varina, NC
Hi Brad
I received the book
in Hawaii yesterday. So far it seems very useful and easy to follow.
You need to find a publisher! I have a music theory for modern mandolin
book, but it is not nearly as easy to follow. Your book has already
helped clarify a few concepts I'd been taught in private lessons, but
had not fully grasped until now. Hopefully the rest of the book is
as insightful
thanks,
Jason
Brad:
Thank you for
your work, it was very helpful. I will use it also as a reference
tool. This work helped by clarifying some of the aspects of music
theory which is essential to good musicianship. The analogy of using
the Pentatonic scales as "stepping" stones is excellent. I felt much
more comfortable trying to improvise on songs using this method. While I was banging out some sort of melody to a tune that was in
my mind, using this method helped me know where I could "step" and
not stink!
Thanks,
Wayne
Chattanooga, TN
Dear Brad:
Thank you for mailing
your instructional book to me so quickly. It looks excellent. A
perfect blend of theory and practice. I also have Ohmsen's Music
Theory for Modern Mandolin, but it is better for reference. Your book
is now is my theory and practice book for every day use (although I'll
keep learning all those tunes in Roland White's book also). I am attending
the Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp in June and intend to talk up
your instructional manual.
I thought you were
joking about the cover, so I was surprised to see it. Hmmm, maybe it
will give your manual a quasi legendary status in mando circles. I
will send you an update on my progress with it in few months. Thanks
for putting in the hard work creating this book.
Mick
Dallas, TX
Hello Brad,
I bought your 'Mandolin
Master Class' Book and found it to be the most helpful 'theory'
type book I've come across. I will likely order your new 'Mandolin
Training Camp' Book shortly, but please send me your newsletter in
the meantime.
Thank you, Donee
I retired
5 years ago and last year I purchased a Morgan Monroe carved collector's
F-
style (Cherry burst) mandolin, found a highly recommended teacher,
and took lessons for about 3 months before I realized he favored the
Guitar. So since then I have been struggling on my own, not making
much progress until I discovered your books. With the practice
regimen you have outlined I should see some progress in a "month, year,
or decade." Thanks for sharing your knowledge and humor, with those
of us who are struggling to become better mandolin players.
Bud
Springville, Utah
Thanks Brad.
Got it in
the mail today. I wasn't expecting it till next week. So this is
great. Maybe I'll work my way up from a lucky monkey to a half-way
intelligent one. :)
Thanks again.
Chris
Howdy Bradley,
I am relatively new
to the mando. I have been playing for about a year.Last summer I was
able to attend Camp Bluegrass at South Plains College in Levelland,
Texas for a week. The mando instructors were Joe Carr, Gerald Jones,
and Steve Smith. It was great fun. I never saw a television or heard
a radio, just played music all week. I was looking for some more theory
oriented instructional material. After previewing your Master Class and Training
Camp offerings, I was pleased to see it was exactly what I was
looking for. I don't want to get stuck in the rut of learning new
tunes by rote memorization, note for note. I want to develop the ability
and the skills to be a better musician. This would allow me to actually
be more creative and actually play music, rather than being the untrained
monkey on the mando! I am excited about getting your material and I
would ask that you please add my e-mail address to your newsletter
mailing list. Thanks much for the energy and work you have expended
to make this all available.
Sincerely,
Jerry
If you have
a comment or suggestion please let
me know by sending me an email. I'd
love to hear from you!
|