Are you looking for the Best Beginner Mandolin Book? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Beginner Mandolin Book can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Lion Brand, McNeela Instruments, Musicmakers, Penguin Random House, Starline, WHSmith, Amazon.com. We have done a lot of research to find the Top 20 Best Beginner Mandolin Book available.
The average cost is $24.21. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $2.00 to a high of $135.79.
Based on the research we did, we think Mandolin for Beginners: An Easy Beginning Method [Book] is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Beginner Mandolin Book (20 Sellers)
1. Mandolin For Beginners: An Easy Beginning Method [Book]
Product Details:
This book teaches everything you need to know to get started playing the mandolin. beginning with how to hold and tune the instrument, read tablature and do some basic strumming, you'll be guided all the way to reading music, developing tremolo technique and improvising. with pieces in styles ranging from folk and old italian gondolier music to the blues and rock 'n' roll, this book is the start you need to go in any direction you like with your mandolin. the cd includes exercises.
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
January 2001 |
Length |
999 Pages |
Dimensions |
11.5" x 0.3" x 8.8" |
Reviews:
Very good value, VERY informative and clear, from cover to cover. Quality is very good, as expected, and the accompanying CD is a Bonus for any budding Musicians to understand….WELL PRODUCED, WELL RECEIVED.rgra.gr.rlz3xyjfi
2. Mandolin For Dummies [Book]

Product Details:
Learn how fretting and picking can entertain friends! the mandolin is making a big comeback among music enthusiasts. a longtime staple of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and country music, this fast-pickin’ favorite featured heavily in traditional music from around the world is now seeing a resurgence in global pop. in mandolin for dummies, accomplished composer, performer, and mandolin guru don julin breaks down the history and fundamentals of this versatile instrument, showing how you too can fret, pick, and strum with the best in the business. packed with photos and diagrams to help you perfect your hand positioning, you’ll make your way through a plethora of mandolin-friendly musical styles and learn how to take good care of your instrument—paying it back for all the pleasure it brings to you and your friends. buy the right mandolin for you pick up key musical styles play along with downloadable exercises restring your instrument whether this is your first instrument or you’re adding to your repertoire, this little number has everything you need to get the most out of your mandolin!
Reviews:
Excellent book. It assists with purchasing, setting up and playing mandolin. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to buy and learn mandolin. You will not be disappointed!Jet
I've only read the first few pages, but have already learned things that I didn't know. It looks very comprehensive and I'm looking forward to using the book as a learning tool.Brin
This is one fantastic book to use when learning/buying a mandolin. It walks you through every process from buying, setting up and playing mandolin.Jet
3. How To Play Mandolin In 14 Days: Daily Lessons For Absolute Beginners [Book]

Product Details:
Are you ready to learn how to play mandolin? start here! how to play mandolin in 14 days is the ultimate mandolin book for absolute beginners. – in this practical, step-by-step guide, mandolin player and master instructor tristan scroggins, who's been nominated for a grammy award and the international bluegrass music association's mandolin player of the year award, teaches you the essential elements you need to know to get started as a mandolin player. and the best part? no music reading is required! inside this book, songs, melodies, and music exercises are presented in both chord diagrams and easy-to-use mandolin tab! with this book, you can learn how to play mandolin! mandolin is no different than any other instrument, and with steady, mindful practice, you can learn to play it in just two weeks, because how to play mandolin in 14 days is written with the absolute beginner in mind! this mandolin book for beginners is jam-packed with fundamental mandolin skills and exercises! for adult beginners and kids alike, in just two weeks, you'll learn: complete songs – double stops – tremolo picking – major & minor chords – right-hand technique – left-hand technique – essential strum patterns – what makes this beginner mandolin book different? how to play mandolin in 14 days is an innovative method for learning to play the mandolin. the instructional material is not only easy to use and follow, but also cutting-edge in its approach. how to play mandolin in 14 days includes rhythm tab and chord frames for all songs, melodies, and music exercises to speed up the learning process. includes tons of music notes, easy-to-play melodies, and full songs, including mandolin favorites "angeline the baker" and "auld lang syne." read it! hear it! play it! music examples are presented in both chord diagrams and tab. no signup required! about tristan scroggins: as the son of a national banjo champion, tristan scroggins has been surrounded by bluegrass traditions since birth. by age 26, tristan has been nominated for the international bluegrass music association's mandolin player of the year award and for a grammy award for his participation in the john hartford fiddle tune project vol. 1. tristan has played and taught bluegrass in over a dozen countries and has performed at many prestigious venues, including the ryman auditorium and the grand ole opry in nashville, tennessee, where he currently resides. with more than a decade of experience as a teacher and workshop instructor, tristan has gained a reputation for his logically laid out curriculum, generous resources, and relaxed, encouraging presence. tristan has developed a curriculum that emphasizes inspiration and practice techniques that allow students to overcome their personal musical hurdles. publisher troy nelson has garnered 1000s of 5-star reviews for his breakthrough series play music in 14 days. – get this book-and the troy nelson music support system-today!
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Dimensions |
8.5 x 0.19 x 11 inches |
4. Bluegrass Mandolin For The Complete Ignoramus! [Book]

Product Details:
Wayne's friendly and fun approach to learning to play has taught tens of thousands of total beginners to play bluegrass music. join the club! in this, his 26th book, wayne cuts through the clutter and confusion of learning to play with his simple approach to playing the melody. he then leads the beginner down the path of being able to improvise on the melody by adding several simple rhythms. with wayne s help, you will soon be jamming up a storm. guaranteed. this book is guaranteed to help you learn to play bluegrass mandolin. (how many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?) you will learn to play and improvise on: amazing grace, angel band, banks of the ohio, bury me beneath the willow, cripple creek, cryin holy unto the lord, dig a hole in the meadow, don't this road look rough and rocky?, down the road, east virginia, handsome molly, in the pines, i've been all around this world, i've just seen the rock of ages, john hardy, keep on the sunny side of life, knoxville girl, little maggie, midnight on the stormy deep, my home s across the blue ridge mountains, nine pound hammer, paul and silas, shady grove, soldier s joy, roll in my sweet baby s arms, wildwood flower, will the circle be unbroken? you will also learn… how to tune, how to hold the mandolin, the best way to hold the pick, how to read tablature, harmony chord positions, simple rhythm chord positions, how to play harmony, playing in the dreaded key of f, how to jam, playing different rhythms, how to play simply but right! included vintage photos and lots of friendly advice.
Specifications:
Binding / Edition |
Paperback; Paperback/cd |
Dimensions (inches) |
12.25 (H) x 9.25 (W) x 0.50 (D) |
Date of Publication |
Sep 1, 2008 |
Dewey Decimal Classification |
781 |
Library of Congress Classification |
MT |
Product Genre/Category |
Music / Instruction & Study / General |
Reviews:
I would do business with this business anytime!!poptart5882
This is a really good book and easy to follow. I have progressed through the various lessons and feel I am mastering the mandolin – it's hard to find a mandolin teacher in my small country town so this is definately the next best thing – I can recommend this book for the learner.
This book gave me what I was looking for – some picking rhythms and methods. I was learning how to play straight melodies but I wanted something a little more. I am self-taught and just wanted to delve into picking more. i would recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their picking method.staninguff
5. Mandolin Complete Edition: Beginning, Intermediate, Mastering [Book]
Product Details:
Anyone interested in learning to play mandolin can pick up this book and get started right away. this well-paced, comprehensive method covers everything from basic to advanced techniques. beginning concepts include reading music and tab, basic strumming patterns, alternate picking, tremolo, slides, and bluegrass and blues styles. intermediate topics include hammer-ons, pull-offs, cross picking, rolls, and more. the book concludes with advanced concepts like advanced harmonies, 12-bar blues, rhythm changes, chord-melody playing, modes, improvisation, and much more. complete mandolin method breaks the age-old dilemma of dry, intimidating, and confusing method books to provide a step-by-step and enjoyable way to play. online audio with demonstrations of the examples in the book is included.
Specifications:
Level Of Difficulty |
Easy |
Style |
Bluegrass |
Bonus Audio |
Yes |
Bonus Video |
No |
With Chords |
Yes |
German Language |
No |
English Language |
Yes |
Reviews:
Excellent source of information. I bought it because it was advertised as coming with the cds. It did not. Have to use a code online to access audio files. Bummed about that but the content is good.norsli_0
Should give me a good start.lawrence2189
6. Hal Leonard Mandolin Method – Book 2 [Book]
Product Details:
Just like book 1, book 2 of the hal leonard mandolin method is designed for anyone just learning to play mandolin. this comprehensive and easy-to-use beginner's guide includes many fun songs of different styles to learn and play. topics covered include: modes and scales * time signatures * transposing * fretboard positions * solos and duets * styles spanning blues, bluegrass, celtic, ragtime and more! book/online audio edition is also available separately.
Specifications:
Binding / Edition |
Paperback; Reprint |
Dimensions (inches) |
12.00 (H) x 9.00 (W) x 0.25 (D) |
Date of Publication |
Aug 1, 2015 |
Dewey Decimal Classification |
781 |
Library of Congress Classification |
MT |
Product Genre/Category |
Music / Instruction & Study / General |
Reviews:
Good format, would have preferred a cd though, as with book 1ljoh8144
7. Alfred's Teach Yourself To Play Mandolin: Everything You Need To Know To Start Playing Now! [Book]

Product Details:
Beginners of all ages can start their journey to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. when you start alfred's teach yourself to play mandolin, you will learn about the history of the mandolin, the parts of the instrument, how to use picks, how to tune it, and learn about standard musical notation. notes, scales, and songs are introduced lesson by lesson to gradually increase your ever-growing knowledge of reading and understanding standard musical notation. you will learn important mandolin techniques such as tremolo, cross picking, and more. the book also features a chord dictionary and a library of accompaniment strums. this best-selling book is now available with a dvd and cd. the dvd includes video lessons and performances for everything in the book, and also includes the tnt 2 audio player that lets you adjust the tempo and pitch, and isolate parts. the cd includes audio performances of every exercise and song. it plays in your cd player or you can download the tracks to your pc. upon completion of the book, you will be able to play your favorite songs on the mandolin, know how to read music, and play with a musical group in many different styles, including folk, blues, country, and even pop. be your own teacher, and let alfred music be your resource every step of the way.
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
September 2015 |
Length |
202 Pages |
Dimensions |
0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2" |
Reviews:
I would do business with this business anytime!!poptart5882
I am working with the instructions to learn to play . Thanks Ernieernigerris-0
I can see the importance of instruction, and it will take time to reach my goal, but I am enthusiastic for the future, and subsequently, reaching journey's end to the delight of the neighbours. This product is my go to, for mandolin instruction, it is uncomplicated and guide's you, it keeps your feet on the ground ensuring that you walk before you try to run.juneyblueeyes
8. Hal Leonard Mandolin Method Pack
Product Details:
This hal leonard mandolin method pack includes what you need to play the mandolin. it is high-quality and is ready to pull out and play. the mandoline set is finely constructed with quality tuners and a level playing bridge. it is an ideal instrument for learning. the mandoline pack also contains a padded case and a comprehensive, easy-to-use beginner's book/cd that features many songs to play while you learn. the book includes information on tuning, reading music, melody playing, strumming and scales. the cd is comprised of demonstration and play-along tracks. the pack also includes scale and chord books along with a dvd featuring on-screen musical examples. whether you're teaching yourself or a classroom of students, this hal leonard mandolin method pack will get the job done.
Reviews:
Great product. After a bit os study, the guides made sense and the CD/DVD was a great help. Should probably include a tuner in the kit – that was an added expense.
This was a great gift for my daughter, a budding musician. It was easy for her to use the scale and chord charts to get started right away. Within a few days, she was playing all kinds of songs. What impressed me is the whole package with a quality instrument, great teaching resources and a dvd to watch and learn from.
I had been waiting for a lull in my music classes as now that I am in my retirement years and kids are grown I had decided to return to playing music on guitar and keyboards. I had also wanted to buy and learn to play other instruments that I had never played before. I had spotted the Hal Leonard Mandolin Method some time ago and felt it was a worthwhile investment for starting out on the Mandolin and just waited til I got some of my other coursework out of the way. I've bought a few instrument starting pack before and normally it's like they say you get what you pay for. This one is different in that the quality of the Mandolin actually exceeds the quality I expected for the price. I already bought a little pick up transducer to plug this Mandolin into my amp to play with other musicians. I also find the books and educational material to be easy to read and understand so my learning the Mandolin is developing nicely. I say that from the viewpoint of someone new to playing music instead of the view point of someone with my experience. For anyone wanting to learn to play Mandolin I don't think you could find a better package. I highly recommend it. .drlaptop
9. Beginning Mandolin: The Complete Mandolin Method [Book]
Product Details:
Get started playing with all the basics. easy chord forms and basic strumming patterns are introduced, and fiddle tunes, bluegrass, and blues styles are covered. important techniques such as alternate picking, tremolo and slides are taught in a friendly, fun manner. students, teachers and self-taught players alike will enjoy this thorough, easy-to-use method.
Specifications:
Binding / Edition |
Paperback; Paperback/cd |
Dimensions (inches) |
12.00 (H) x 9.00 (W) x 0.25 (D) |
Date of Publication |
Feb 1, 2004 |
Dewey Decimal Classification |
787 |
Library of Congress Classification |
ML |
Product Genre/Category |
Music / Musical Instruments / Guitar |
Reviews:
This book starts from the very beginning, like the basics, anyone could learn with this book, it transtions very well into learning how to read the music and play it.distraction4us
10. Mandolin [Book]
Product Details:
The absolute beginners award-winning method has been designed to make learning the mandolin easier than ever before! step-by-step pictures take you from first day exercises to playing your first complete songs. absolute beginners mandolin gives you: an 'owner's manual' approach to the mandolin; practical advice and tips covering everything you need to know about setting up, playing and maintenance; a look-and-learn course that uses clear pictures to illustrate every step of learning; cd audio tracks to let you hear how things should sound, plus full-length accompaniments so you can play along.
Specifications:
Level Of Difficulty |
Easy |
Style |
Folk |
Bonus Audio |
Yes |
Bonus Video |
No |
With Chords |
Yes |
German Language |
No |
English Language |
Yes |
Reviews:
Everything you need to know, simple to follow, and backing cd as well!!! If your new to the mandolin buy this book…. great!!!janet*sa
Excellent boo kindeedshresth3
Great book , good pricebrucholde0
11. Play Mandolin Today! Beginner's Pack, Level 1 [Book]
Product Details:
Learn at your own pace and open the door to the world of mandolin music with this beginner's book/cd/dvd instruction pack! is the ultimate self-teaching method, designed to offer quality instruction and terrific songs. all you have to do is follow along with the tips, lessons and music provided as you listen to the cd or watch the dvd. the cd includes 84 professional quality full-demo tracks. the dvd features on-screen mandolin tablature so you can play all the music examples. this complete guide to the basics covers: songs, chords and melodies * alternate picking and strumming * playing tips and techniques, all in standard notation and tablature.
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
June 2011 |
Length |
48 Pages |
Dimensions |
0.4" x 8.3" x 11.9" |
Reviews:
Easy read for beginners to play the mandolin.haymah.klmx4bt
12. Exploring Classical Mandolin – Technique & Repertoire
Product Details:
You will learn long-established mandolin techniques and their contemporary applications. you will discover gems from the classical mandolin literature, and familiar classical melodies arranged for mandolin. you will also gain insights into how to arrange your own musical ideas, including classical melodies, for solo mandolin.
Specifications:
Arrangement |
Mandolin (MAND) |
Edition Information |
Instrumental Tutor |
Language |
English |
Reviews:
Just what I was looking for – a comprehensive selection of music with a very useful instruction section – with links which enable the learner to view video clips online.celi-germ
13. Mandolin Chord Book [Book]
Product Details:
This useful chord book, developed for mandolin players, features clear, readable chord diagrams. the diagrams are grouped by key for easy reference. no page flipping needed!
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
September 2011 |
Length |
444 Pages |
Dimensions |
0.9" x 7.4" |
Reviews:
Easy to understand for a beginnergail66gail
This is a great little book for the mandolinist. All chords easy to find in all the keys. And handy to carry in your gig bag.guitarcatblue
Great little book, does what it says and fits neatly into your case. Excellent and easy to understand.dobrodave
14. Mandolin Blues: From Memphis To Maxwell Street [Book]
Product Details:
Travel back in time as acclaimed mandolinist rich delgrosso, author of the best-selling hal leonard mandolin method (00695102), traces the history and music of america's rich blues tradition through the eyes of the mandolinist. follow the lives of players like yank rachell, howard armstrong and charlie mccoy, and then learn their timeless music with standard notation, tablature, and accompanying full-band audio of all the tunes in the book. the price of this book includes a unique code that provides access to audio tracks online, for download or streaming. the tracks include playback+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right available exclusively from hal leonard.
Specifications:
Binding / Edition |
Paperback; Paperback/cd |
Dimensions (inches) |
12.00 (H) x 9.00 (W) x 0.25 (D) |
Date of Publication |
Jan 1, 2006 |
Dewey Decimal Classification |
782 |
Product Genre/Category |
Music / Songbooks |
Reviews:
A fantastic educational journey through americas history of the blues style on the mandolin. Lots of information and musical examples to help you play and experience this style of music.Rhi Child
15. The Mandolin Manual: The Art, Craft And Science Of The Mandolin And Mandola [Book]
Product Details:
The mandolin manual is a detailed guide to constructing instruments belonging to the mandolin family: the mandolin, tenor mandola, and octave mandola. logically structured and clearly written, it introduces the art of these beautiful instruments, describes the various techniques of the craft, and explains the science of their unique sound. the book includes detailed instructions explaining the techniques for making a mandolin; chapters on the nature of wood, adhesives, and other materials for those new to woodworking; sections on the acoustics and dynamics of the bridge, belly, and sound box, as well as string technology, tone theory, optimum performance, and playability; an overview of the origins of mandolins; and grid-scale plans for all the instruments’ templates and critical dimensions.
Specifications:
Binding / Edition |
Hardback; Illustrated |
Dimensions (inches) |
10.25 (H) x 8.50 (W) x 0.75 (D) |
Date of Publication |
Jun 26, 2002 |
Dewey Decimal Classification |
787 |
Library of Congress Classification |
ML |
Product Genre/Category |
Music / General |
Reviews:
A comprehensive description of the process of mandolin constructionjamesoaktree
16. A Complete Guide To Learning The Irish Mandolin [Book]
Product Details:
Everything you need to know about the irish mandolin, now an integral part of the irish music scene. this best-selling instruction book will take you from easy beginner's exercises to advanced techniques.
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
September 2011 |
Length |
64 Pages |
Dimensions |
0.2" x 8.3" x 11.5" |
Reviews:
Very well paced step by step . Taking the time to really learn each lesson your going to end up being a fine mandolinist.copa_7915
Excellent book and so easy to follow and understand. Would certainly buy againbrucholde0
17. The Ultimate Mandolin Songbook: 26 Favorite Songs

Product Details:
The ultimate mandolin songbook contains multiple versions varying in difficulty of 26 of the most popular songs from bluegrass, jazz, ragtime, rock, pop, gospel, swing and other genres, in both standard notation and mandolin tab. the songs are arranged by janet davis to appeal to players of all levels, and the audio features her performing demos for listening and playing along. arrangements in the book feature alternate licks, endings, segues and turnarounds for improvising. picking styles include: tremolo, monroe style, fiddle style, double stops, crosspicking, triplet style, jazz style and more. the songs are in various tunings and keys, and the lyrics and history are included for each. songs: alabama jubilee * autumn leaves * the entertainer * great balls of fire * how great thou art * limehouse blues * orange blossom special * rawhide * stardust * tennessee waltz * yesterday * you are my sunshine * and more! audio is accessed online for download or streaming and features playback+ tools such as looping, tempo adjustment, and more.
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
December 2010 |
Length |
248 Pages |
Dimensions |
0.7" x 9.0" x 11.8" |
Reviews:
Great method to learn to add spice to songsodnamjim
18. How To Play Mandolin: A Complete Mandolin Course For The Beginner That Is Easy And Fun To Play (Handy Guide) [Book]
Product Details:
Learn to play accompaniments and chords to many popular folk songs. you will learn the parts of the mandolin, how to hold the mandolin, how to read music and how to tune the mandolin. there is a fingerboard chart to help you find all the notes on the fingerboard.
Reviews:
As a complete beginner I still found it difficult to learn to playsuffolkpinkrose
It's concise, informative, handy, easy going.. all in all, it serves the purpose. ta.kiethhuynh
Im playing the cords G7 and C without looking. Never played any instrument at all evermcfall4
19. Alfred's Teach Yourself To Play Mandolin

Product Details:
Beginners of all ages can start their journey to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. notes, scales, and songs are introduced lesson by lesson to gradually increase your ever-growing knowledge of reading and understanding standard musical notation. you will learn important mandolin techniques such as tremolo, cross picking, and more. the book also features a chord dictionary and a library of accompaniment strums. this best-selling book is now available with a dvd and cd. the dvd includes video lessons and performances for everything in the book, and also includes the tnt 2 audio player that lets you adjust the tempo and pitch, and isolate parts. the cd includes audio performances of every exercise and song. it plays in your cd player or you can download the tracks to your pc. upon completion of the book, you will be able to play your favorite songs on the mandolin, know how to read music, and play with a musical group in many different styles, including folk, blues, country, and even pop. be your own teacher, and let alfred music be your resource every step of the way.
Specifications:
Composer |
Fox, Dan |
Arranger |
Mandolin |
Voicing |
Mandolin |
Reviews:
Nice Book. I'm new to Mandolin, though I have experience with several other instruments. Was disappointed there are no chord exercises, just single notes. There is an included chord chart, but no instruction. Other than that, it's easy to follow, straight forward.JIMMY
Very helpful learning MandolinKENNETH
20. Mel Bay's Complete Mandolin Method [Book]
Product Details:
With the thoroughness of a book by mel bay, this method presents mandolin technique and note-reading in a progressive, step-by-step fashion. given the diverse applications of this versatile instrument, this method was carefully written to build the musicianship and technique needed to play both classical and contemporary mandolin styles. music theory concepts and additional playing techniques are introduced as needed. exercises and tunes are presented in all keys, many in duet format to be played by teacher and student. in notation only.
Specifications:
Language |
English |
Release Date |
March 1968 |
Length |
96 Pages |
Dimensions |
12.0" x 0.3" x 8.5" |
Reviews:
Great book for leads but lacked chord representations.2529badbob
This book is very helpful and appropriate for Mandolin beginners! Would deffinitely reccomend this to others!bridget1377