Books

Brazilian Choro – A Method for Mandolin

By Marilynn | Published: September 2, 2010

Choro Brasileiro ~ Um Método para Bandolim

Learn to play Choro with true Brazilian style!
Aprenda a tocar Choro com base no verdadeiro estilo brasileiro!

This book will be published by Mel Bay in October, 2010.

Brazilian Choro ~ A Method for Mandolin is the first book to capture and teach the fundamental technique of this Brazilian roots music as it has been played in Rio de Janeiro since the 19th-century. Like American jazz, the essential style of Choro lies beyond its written music, passed down from generation to generation of Brasileiros in the time-honored oral tradition. Marilynn Mair, renowned American mandolinist, and Paulo Sá, Brazilian bandolim master, have created a revolutionary method built on Choro’s characteristic rhythms that translates this oral tradition to a book/CD format. Although written for mandolin, their unique approach to Choro contains essential tips for anyone who would play this music with an authentic Brazilian accent.

Choro Brasileiro – Um Método para Bandolim é o primeiro livro a captar e a ensinar a técnica fundamental desta importante raiz da música brasileira que é o Choro, surgido no Rio de Janeiro no século XIX. Como o Jazz norte-americano, a essência do estilo do Choro está para além da música escrita e vem sendo passada de geração em geração por brasileiros através da venerável tradição oral. Marilynn Mair, renomada bandolinista norte-americana e Paulo Sá, um mestre brasileiro do bandolim, criaram um método revolucionário, desenvolvido a partir das características rítmicas do Choro, procurando colocar a oralidade no formato de um Livro-CD. Embora direcionado para bandolim, o trabalho apresenta dicas essenciais para qualquer músico que se interesse em tocar este gênero com o autêntico sotaque brasileiro.


Posted September 2nd, 2010

The Complete Mandolinist

By alex | Published: April 24, 2009

The Complete Mandolinist

The Complete Mandolinist is the most comprehensive American mandolin method published in nearly a century.

Buy it now at Amazon.

Written by Marilynn Mair, internationally-acclaimed performer, recording artist, and teacher for over two decades, the insightfully written text and carefully selected exercises present a logical approach to mandolin technique that builds on the pioneering efforts of America’s mandolin teachers of the early 20th century– Pettine, Perry, Place, Odell, Seigel, Bickford, and others.

Exercises from American and European method books of the last two centuries and concert pieces by the great mandolin composers are combined here with Marilynn’s insightfully written text and beautifully-recorded 70-minute CD to create an exciting new mandolin method for the 21st century.

Starting with a foundation in basic technique and music reading, the book progresses in the course of its 224 pages through scales, arpeggios, tremolo, position work, shifting, rhythm studies, picking techniques, and duo-style, with carefully selected exercises and musical examples ranging from fiddle tunes and Brazilian choro to Vivaldi concertos and Beethoven sonatinas.

The method reflects the wealth of musical knowledge Marilynn has acquired over the course of her distinguished career, and she has compiled it here for you, to encourage the versatility and intelligent musicianship you will need to become a more complete mandolinist.

Posted April 24th, 2009

    • “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…” – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.” – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.” – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    • “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.” — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.” – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    • “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity…It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.” – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    • Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time. – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita” — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    • “Mair is unstoppable…capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.” – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)