Complete Mandolin Method

I was looking for configurations for all sorts of chords, and this book fulfilled my search.

This thick book gives you everything you need to know on how to read notation. There is a 2nd book that is needed called "easy mandolin solos." The book suggests that you buy this one for practice.

Having learned guitar through the Mel Bay method, teaching myself the mandolin with this book was a piece of cake! Virtually all the songs have also been used at some point in the guitar books -- and, of course, it helps that all the mandolin strings are tuned like guitar strings in standard tuning (even though they're in a different order). Those learning the mandolin as a first string instrument will also appreciate the sound, well-paced musical training that is the hallmark of the Mel Bay instruction books.

A superb book for beginners who may need the essentials of music--notes, staffs, etc--before even beginning the mandolin. The book overwhelmingly uses melodies for learning, as opposed to chords. In fact, chords basically get only a brief mention at the end of the book. I'm sure this is because the mandolin does often carry the melody, but I was surprised, because Bay's "You Can Teach Yourself Mandolin" video begins with, you guessed it, chords. This book will improve your note reading abilities, as tablature is rarely used. A CD would be very helpful for hearing the pieces.

If you have never picked up a mandolin and would like to learn this unique little instrument then this book is for you. The book is thorough and very clearly written. It begins with explaining how to read music and walks you through the steps to gradually develop this skill. At the same time Mel Bay provides musical examples to develop your technique. By studying from this book in it's entirety the student will aquire both the technique and musical knowledge to learn and play a variety of styles on the mandolin. Highly recommended.