Virtuoso bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Dennis Caplinger, with the able assistance of John Moore, Kenny Blackwell, and Bill Bryson, guides you through all the bluegrass basics and beyond. You'll learn classic bluegrass mandolin techniques, all in the context of classic bluegrass standards. Beginning with basic left- and right-hand techniques, Dennis guides you through developing great backup parts, playing solos, and working with a bluegrass band. Learn technique through up-close camera angles. Play-along with a virtuoso bluegrass band and then try the "minus-one" play-along tracks. Printable PDF tab files make it easy to practice at your own pace, and the amazing performance footage will inspire you to attain new levels of musicianship.

Beginning with basic left- and right-hand techniques, Dennis Caplinger guides you through developing great backup parts and playing all over the neck. You'll study over 20 classic bluegrass standards and you'll learn how to play them in several different styles. All books in the Ultimate Beginner Bluegrass Basics Series are fully correlated with each other. This is the ideal method for the family that wants to play music together!

This book and two CD combo is like having a friend show you all your favorite bluegrass songs. Bluegrass virtuoso Dennis Caplinger teaches you the techniques and concepts you need to start playing some smokin' mandolin right away---all in the context of 16 bluegrass standards. The included CDs feature full explanations of all techniques and songs, and demonstrations of all the music examples. For each song there is a slow tempo demonstration, a complete demo track featuring a world-class bluegrass band, and a complete band track without mandolin for you to play along with. Plus, with the included TNT software, you can slow tracks down, loop sections, and even change keys for ultimate usability. We've even included a short refresher course on music theory, and a mandolin chord dictionary in the back of the book.