This book features twenty superb arrangements of traditional Old Time American tunes by ukulele maestro Rob MacKillop. Included are classics such as Wildwood Flower, Man Of Constant Sorrow, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Angeline TheBaker, and many others. All the music is playable with a pick or finger style, and the tunes are presented in both tablature and standard notation. The book includes accompanying audio online available for download
In this unique collection, multi-instrumentalist Rob MacKillop presents 30 airs and dances from Scotland, Ireland and England transcribed for the modern guitar in open-D tuning (DADF♯AD). Although conceived for fingerstyle playing, most of these traditional, Classical and Baroque pieces are also playable with a pick. During the mid to late 18th century, a wire-strung instrument which could be described as a cross between a guitar and a cittern appeared in Britain. With the exception of the publications in Edinburgh by Robert Bremmer (c. 1713 – 89), most period writings refer to this instrument as the guittar. In providing extensive historical and performance notes on this music, the author has adopted this spelling. While derived principally from the publications by Scottish guittarists Robert Bremmer and James Oswald (1710 – 69), MacKillop discovered additional Scottish publications and manuscripts in The National Library of Scotland and even more manuscripts in the uncatalogued library of Blair Castle in Perthshire, Scotland. Written in standard notation and tablature, this book brings a particularly uncommon repertoire to light with an exceptional downloadable recording. Includes access to online audio.
Classical and Contemporary Studies for Bass Guitar combines essential studies from 19th century composer Giovanni Bottesini; the "Paganini of bass", with contemporary studies by Gilbert Isbin; one of the leading European composers for guitar, lute and bass. These 33 studies will help build not just your technique, but reading abilities and overall musicianship. The material is intended for serious bass students and can be played on a fretted or fretless bass. While Bottesini's works lie firmly in the classical genre, Isbin's studies bring in elements of classical, jazz and world music. All the studies are written in standard bass clef notation as well as tablature. Includes access to online audio recorded by Rob MacKillop for each study.
Here is the Forgotten Heritage: Great Banjo Music! Discover the birth of the American fingerstyle banjo in this collection of 28 of the finest tunes culled from banjo publications between 1860 and 1887. Learn amazing banjo music by some of the early leading players, James Buckley, Albert Baur, and the great Frank B. Converse, the greatest virtuoso of his day. from folk-style dances to parlor dances such as the Polka, Mazurka and Schottische, to advanced Romantic-period classical-style solos. Can be played on modern banjos or period-style instruments. the CD recording by Rob MacKillop features a gut-strung banjo, and is played with the flesh of the fingertips, in the old American tuning. for modern instrument players, Rob has provided TAB and a Standard Notation stave at modern banjo pitch. Clawhammer players will find many of the pieces in the book suitable for their technique, and bluegrass/fingerstyle players will be able to play all the pieces. Rob MacKillop provides a fascinating introductory essay, placing the music in its historical context, while his CD of performances can be viewed as a stand-alone recording by a leading player in the revival of this great American banjo heritage.
This book is aimed at beginner lute and guitar players interested in playing Renaissance lute music on either instrument. Lute and guitar tablature are included, along with notes on technique, biographies of lute composers from the 16th century, and general advice on buying, stringing and tuning a lute. The book starts with single-line melodies, before progressing to two-part and full repertoire pieces. Selections include works by great Renaissance composers such as John Dowland, Francesco da Milano, Alonso Mudarra, Francesco Spinacino and others, with music from England, Scotland, Italy, France and Germany. A useful chord chart is also included. Every piece in the book has been recorded for download by Rob MacKillop--in itself, an album worth owning. Includes access to online audio.
Most instrumentalists would agree with the author’s introductory statement, that the six Bach cello suites are “…one of the greatest collections of solo instrumental music ever written.” Many amateur classic guitarists have endeavored to play favorite movements of the suites, and a few professionals have recorded all six in their entirety. The author himself has played them on various plucked-string instruments. Here, for the first time, Rob MacKillop and Mel Bay Publications present the Six Cello Suites of J. S. Bach, transcribed for the plectrum-style acoustic or electric guitarist! According to MacKillop, Bach had an overall didactic plan and each suite increases in emotional depth and difficulty, posing specific problems to the plectrum guitarist or any instrumentalist. For example: Using a pick, how do you play a 2-note interval when there is a string in-between the two notes? MacKillop provides a good deal of fingering in the early suites suggesting solutions to this and other issues, but ultimately encourages readers to make their own decisions through careful analysis and left-hand fingering. If you stay the course and play through all six suites, you will gain a personal understanding not only of the Baroque suite, but also of left-hand digitation, picking direction, and the guitar fretboard. Written in standard notation in guitar-friendly keys for the intermediate to advanced plectrum guitarist, this book is destined to be a part of university curriculums and recitals worldwide. It deserves a place in your music library too.
Here is the Lost Heritage of the Irish-American Banjo!The Irish-style Tenor banjo has become immensely popular of late, yet the roots of Irish influence on American banjo music extends right back to the 1840s, when the legendary Joel Sweeney picked up a gourd banjo from Black American banjo players, and proceeded to perform 'jigs, reels and breakdowns'. Other Irish-Americans played a leading role in the development and popularity of the banjo in America, and Rob MacKillop has collected 27 of their finest pieces in this collection, the first of its kind.TAB for 5-string banjo as well as Tenor Banjo. the Tenor Banjo arrangements are in two tunings: GDAE and CGDA.Can be played with either a flat pick or fingerstyle.The CD recording contains brilliant performances of all 27 pieces by Rob MacKillop, a leading performer of historical banjo music. Rob performs fingerstyle, with the flesh of his fingertips on gut strings, on a period-appropriate banjo, in the old American tuning. This CD is a treasure in itself.Tunes included: St Patrick's Day; Rocky Road to Dublin; Savourneen Deelish; McCormick Party Reel, Sheridan's Hornpipe, Connaught Man's Rambles, and many others.
This book counters the claim that the Devil gets all the best tunes! Rob MacKillop has arranged these well-known carols in chord-melody style with jazz chords, folk, and classical influences, engaging countermelodies beneath the principal theme, and more. Written in standard notation and tablature, these intermediate-level arrangements are not only enjoyable to play and hear but will enhance your technique as you learn them. Rob's performance notes are full of insights, and his online audio recordings of each piece make illuminating and delightful listening. Includes access to online audio.
The ukulele is an extraordinary instrument with a remarkable history. Apart from its well-practiced use as a strummed accompaniment instrument, it is capable of real beauty and the most delicate expression. It has as much depth as Renaissance and Baroque guitars and lutes, and is worthy of serious study by all those who have a heart for music. This set of 20 fingerstyle arrangements is written for the beginning student seeking something a little more challenging to play. These 20 progressive studies touch on all aspects of fingerstyle playing on the ukulele presenting different styles: blues, jazz, classical, and even minimalism and serialism. There are studies in arpeggios, scales, modes, ii-V-I chord sequences, strumming, syncopation, campanella fingerings, improvisation, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Some of the studies concentrate on the left hand, some on the right hand, some on both. Possibly the most comprehensive set of studies currently available for the ukulele, mastery of which will equip one to explore any style of music desired. It is also a showcase for how well the ukulele can adapt to different styles of music.
This book contains the 50 late 19th century tunes in Albert Baur’s 1883 anthology, The Banjoist’s Budget. The collection has roots in four main sources: minstrel songs, Irish popular and folk traditions, clog dancing tunes, and Gilbert and Sullivan favorites- all expertly played by Rob MacKillop on the accompanying online audio recording. The music is clearly typeset in standard notation and tablature for the 5-string banjo in Baur’s original eAEG#B tuning; observing the tablature, however, this music can be played in modern-day concert C tuning, gCGBD. While Baur provided no technique instructions, the music can be played in the old minstrel stroke technique, the modern melodic clawhammer style, or fingerstyle. By contrast, MacKillop provides ample performance notes and a few tips within the notation. These melodies constitute an authentic audio window to a past century, when the five-string banjo was a classical instrument studied and played by serious students and expert musicians who read standard notation rather than tablature. In any case, here they are in notation and modern banjo tablature, together with a delightful online recording. Includes access to online audio.
The word "DADGAD" refers to the names of the notes on the open strings of one of many alternate tunings for the guitar, one that is very popular with acoustic guitar players. It has a wonderfully warm resonance, allowing you to play simple single-note melodies, yet still fill out the sound of the instrument. The twenty Christmas carols presented here form a perfect introduction to playing guitar in DADGAD tuning. The melodies are presented without added bass notes or chords - just those great melodies, once heard, never forgotten. This means you already know what the tune is supposed to sound like, leaving you to concentrate on playing the notes on the right string and fret, and for the right length of time. This book is the easiest of Rob Mackillop's DADGAD books. It assumes you know how to hold and tune the guitar, and play some notes and a few simple chords. The book includes a "Technique Primer" to help get you up and running, plus the essential chord diagrams for playing in DADGAD tuning. Book includes access to online audio featuring Rob MacKillop's performance of each piece.
Ragtime music and DADGAD tuning seem to be made for each other, or so you will believe after playing these wonderful arrangements by Rob MacKillop. With performance levels running from intermediate to advanced, there is plenty here to challenge and delight the player and audience too. With titles by Scott Joplin (The Entertainer, Weeping Willow, etc.), James Scott (Grace and Beauty), Charles L. Johnson (Dill Pickles Rag), Fred Van Eps (Rag Pickings), to popular jazzier pieces by A. J. Weidt and the rag-influenced Piedmont blues of Blind Boy Fuller, there is quite a variety of styles to explore. Additionally, recordings by Rob MacKillop will guide and entertain you in the art of DADGAD ragtime guitar! Access to online audio is included. Written in tablature and standard notation.
Gaspar Sanz (1640 –1710) is the most famous baroque-period guitarist. His works are tuneful and memorable, with fiery cross-rhythms and cascading scale passages. He published three books of guitar music.The baroque guitar could be viewed as a close relative of the ukulele. Indeed, the two instruments have much in common. the smaller four-course guitar actually had the same tuning as the ukulele, for example, although it was largely double-strung.Sanz enjoyed playing scales in the campanella style, with the notes of a scale set out on different strings, sonically overlapping slightly in the style of little bells. This is a technique the ukulele excels at, and is used to good effect in these arrangements.Sanz' music for baroque guitar transfers exceptionally well to the uke, as these arrangements demonstrate. It is hoped that this repertoire will bring a refreshing addition to the repertoire of the ukulele, just as the little instrument can bring a freshness to these old but lively pieces.
Rob MacKillop presents 20 wonderful fingerstyle blues arrangements andcompositions in DADGAD tuning. The styles covered in this book include country blues, boogie woogie left-hand piano blues, early jazz blues, gut-bucket blues and modal blues. Great traditional songs are included such as St. James Infirmary Blues, St. Louis Blues, C. C. Rider and more, alongside 15 full-length studies. The book begins with easy arrangements, progressing to intermediate and more advanced ones - in short, these blues studies will improve your technique through playable 12-bar tunes. A wide array of chord and scale fingerings are also provided, including pentatonic minor and major scales, blues scales, diminished arpeggios and scales, 7th chords, whole-tone scales and the super Locrian mode and much more! All the tunes presented have accompanying audio recorded by Rob MacKillop and are available to download
Make your old-time and bluegrass music sing through the warm open-string sound of DADGAD tuning! This book includes twenty classic old-time and bluegrass tunes, arranged and recorded by Rob MacKillop. The material is ideal for players of easy to intermediate levels and is designed for flatpicking, but can also be played fingerstyle. Repertoire includes Angeline the Baker, Blackberry Blossom, Fire on the Mountain, Old Joe Clark, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Wildwood Flower and much more. Additional content includes DADGAD chord diagrams, instructions and a technique primer. Includes access to online audio.
Learn fashionable and evocative tunes from 19th-century America! Originally collected for the fretless minstrel banjo, many of these tunes were taught to Tom Briggs in Southern plantations, and are the sound of a new, vibrant America. Mixing early Black banjo music, with European dances, a new popular music was born, which, in the following decades, would to mature into ragtime and jazz.Rob MacKillop arranged these pieces for fingerstyle ukulele. They sound great on either a standard uke or on a banjo ukulele. the CD recording contains performances of all 20 pieces by Rob MacKillop on a banjo ukulele.
This book and accompanying audio offer a unique look into playing the music of Bach on the ukulele. Included are twenty duets for two ukuleles or ukulele and guitar. The first part in the duet can be played on either soprano, concert or tenor ukulele, and the second part on either baritone ukulele or guitar. This collection contains beautiful arrangements of many of Bach's most popular pieces. Some of the arrangements are simple, some complex, but most are of intermediate difficulty. The accompanying online audio contains breathtakingly beautifulperformances by ukulele maestro, Rob MacKillop, and historical guitar specialist, Gordon Ferries, making it wonderful in its own right. Included are pieces such as Sheep May Safely Graze, Minuet in G, Sleepers Awake, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and many other classic tunes
Renaissance Lute Tablature-Guitar Tablature Edition can be viewed as either a supplement to the popular Introduction to the Lute: for Lute and Guitar Players or as a standalone edition of 16th-century lute tablatures reset in guitar tab. Play from beautifully-typeset scores, music by John Dowland, Francesco da Milano, Vicenzo Galilei (father of the famous astronomer), and many others, including vihuela composers, Narváez and Milán. Together, this collection provides in guitar tab a beautiful and extensive overview of music for the Renaissance lute. TUNING: To get Renaissance lute tuning on a guitar, all you need to do is tune the 3rd string, G, down one semitone to F♯. That’s it. Then just read the tab as normal. This edition is in guitar tablature. There is a separate edition in lute tablature, Renaissance Lute Repertoire-Lute Tablature Edition.
Classical music and DADGAD tuning work amazingly well together, as Rob MacKillop's latest book shows. You might be surprised how easy it is to playtunes by Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and others on the steel-strung acoustic guitar. These brilliant arrangements start easy, then gradually progress to intermediate levels. While full of great tunes, this book will also do wonders for your technique - it includes a technique primer and exercises. By the end ofthis book you will be playing an entire suite by Bach! The downloadable onlineaudio includes all the pieces in the book, performed by Rob MacKillop. Access todownloadable audio
This book is devoted to playing the soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele tuned in perfect fifths as used by the string and mandolin families of instruments, as well as the cittern and tenor banjo. The book’s scores are all in tablature; you’ll have no trouble adapting to the tuning and playing in the book’s various styles. The 55 pieces in Play Ukulele in 5ths Tuning progress from simple to advanced and can be played fingerstyle or with a pick. To help you come to grips with the tuning, the book includes Classical-era studies originally written for instruments tuned in 5ths, followed by Scottish traditional tunes, bluegrass, blues, and early jazz pieces, and ultimately—Bach's gorgeous Baroque cello music. Includes access to online audio for every piece recorded by the author to facilitate your progress. Anytime you play with musicians who use instruments tuned in fifths, you can all use the same fingerings. As a result, the music can sound more "together". In addition, having played the uke tuned in perfect fifths, if you ever want to play any of those traditionally 5th-tuned instruments, you will have had a head start!
Rob MacKillop presents 24 superb solo guitar works by Belgian composer Gilbert Isbin, one of the most interesting, dynamic and poetic composers writing for the guitar today. All 24 pieces have been recorded by Rob MacKillop–a magnificent solo recording in itself. The book contains standard notation and tablature, and an interview with the composer. The music ranges from student pieces to advanced concert solos. Although composed with a plectrum in mind, they can also be played fingerstyle. Includes access to online audio.
In this book, multi-instrumentalist and music historian Rob MacKillop explores an unexpected aspect of the 5-string banjo repertoire with slower, expressive, and even sentimental qualities. Drawing upon various 19th and 20th century resources, MacKillop offers 27 engaging international melodies in gDGBD or gCGBD tuning that can be played on any 5-string banjo, whether old or modern, with either fingertips or picks. In contrast to the hard-driving bluegrass “Dueling Banjos” approach, the Barnes and Mullins Banjo School of the 1920s advises: “To obtain the best possible tone from the instrument, a delicate “touch” and diligent practice are required. One essential point…is to employ lightness and grace with every movement.” Written in both standard notation and tablature. Online audio is available for each arrangement.
This book and accompanying audio include twenty of the most popular kids' tunes of all time, arranged for small hands to play on the ukulele. Chords are supplied for other instruments to join in the fun, as well as lyrics for singing. The ukulele tablature makes learning fun and easy, while the arranger (with 25 years of teaching experience) has laid the foundations for good fingerstyle technique. This book is therefore both fun and educational. The ukulele is a wonderful instrument for kids - cheap and cheerful, and ready-made for kids' small hands. Most ukulele books introduce chords from the first page, yet chords can be difficult and frustrating for child beginners. This book gets kids playing recognizable tunes right from the get go. Each song includes:- A standard notation clef with the words underneath- Chord symbols for guitar, keyboard or another ukulele to provide accompaniment- A tablature clef, which is what the kids should play Includes access to online audio.
20 favorite Scottish and Irish tunes, brilliantly arranged for fingerstyle ukulele by Rob MacKillop. Titles include such well-known session tunes as Drowsy Maggie, the Kesh Jig, the Connaught Man's Rambles and the Wind That Shakes the Barley. Rob is a master of the campanella style of ukulele fingering, which exploits the unique tuning of the ukulele, and which helps these airs, jigs and reels flow across the fingerboard effortlessly, at times sounding like a small Celtic harp. the CD recording contains all 20 pieces performed by Rob MacKillop, hailed in Celtic World as 'One of Scotland's finest musicians'.
ÊThe mandolin is a great instrument for kids. These simple arrangements of all-time popular songs are ideal for younger learners and will get them playing in no time! This repertoire book is easy to read, with classic songs such as Scarborough Fair, Kum ba Yah, Frre Jaques, My Bonnie, and much more. Chords are available for an accompanying instrumentalist, and play-along tracks recorded by the author are available online. The mandolin part is written in both standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.
Learn to play great classical music tunes on the mandolin! All the most famous composers are here, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and others. The tunes form a “greatest hits” package of classical music, including Für Elise, Ode to Joy, Rondo Alla Turca, Swan Lake, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, The Entertainer, and more. Every tune has an accompanying audio track. Written in standard notation and mandolin tablature. Includes access to online audio.
20 Easy Fingerstyle Studies for Ukulele is a collection of pieces and exercises for fingerstyle ukulele, aimed at those who have strummed chords on the ukulele and wish to learn fingerstyle technique. Author Rob MacKillop introduces techniques for the left and right hand and explanations for each piece that help you along the way. the accompanying CD contains both slow and up tempo versions of very tune in the book.
The ukulele is a wonderful instrument for kids - cheap and cheerful, and ready-made for kids' small hands. Most ukulele books introduce chords from the first page, but chords can be difficult and frustrating for child beginners. This book and accompanying audio gets kids playing recognizable tunes right from the get go. The material includes both standard notation and tablature clefs. This book is written in ukulele tablature to make learning fun and easy. The arranger (with 25 years of teaching experience) has laid the foundations for good fingerstyle technique. This book is therefore both fun and educational. Includes access to online audio.
Many great Scottish traditional tunes can be traced back to 17th century lute music. In this collection, multi-instrumentalist Rob MacKillop has transcribed and arranged 25 popular tunes derived from various lute manuscripts. While idiomatic to the guitar, some of these arrangements include fast runs and chord changes, so are best suited to the intermediate-level flatpicking guitarist. This guitar collection consists of the same melodies in the same keys found in its mandolin counterpart, Tunes From 17th Century Scotland Arranged for Mandolin (Mel Bay Publications). In both books, suggested chords are provided wherever appropriate. Consequently, the settings work fine as either mandolin/violin and guitar duets, or as solos for either instrument. Until now, most of these appealing dance tunes and airs have not been available as guitar arrangements. Here, except for two tunes in drop-D tuning, all are in standard guitar tuning. With MacKillop’s spirited online recording, generous performance notes and standard notation and tablature for each selection, get ready to explore a wonderful new take on an old repertoire! Includes access to online audio.
Many great Scottish traditional tunes such as Flowres Of The Forrest can be traced back to the 17th century—a period when writing down tunes in manuscript collections for the lute was of high interest. Rob MacKillop has created very playable arrangements for the mandolin featuring 25 popular tunes from the Skene, Balcarres, Panmure and Straloch manuscripts. This is a wonderful collection of dance tunes and airs, most of which have not been available for the mandolin until now. The notation is in treble clef with tablature for GDAE tuning. Includes access to online audio featuring Rob Mackillop’s performance of each piece. Get ready to explore a wonderful new take on old repertoire!
Renaissance Lute Repertoire-Lute Tablature Edition can be viewed as either a supplement to the popular Introduction to the Lute: for Lute and Guitar Players or as a standalone edition of 16th-century lute tablatures. Play from beautifully-typeset scores, music by John Dowland, Francesco da Milano, Vincenzo Galilei (father of the famous astronomer) and many others, including vihuela composers Narváez and Milán. Together, this collection provides a beautiful and extensive overview of music for the renaissance lute. This edition is in French lute tablature. There is a separate edition in guitar tablature, Renaissance Lute Repertoire-Guitar Tablature Edition.
Seasoned music educator and multi-instrumentalist, Rob MacKillop presents this introductory classical repertoire for the intermediate tenor banjoist. Derived from method books for the mandolin, cello and guitar, these progressive melodic studies are typeset in standard notation and tablature. Readers are encouraged to start at the beginning and listen to the author’s online recordings for guidance. Various keys, rhythms and time signatures are represented for a thorough grounding in note reading. Most importantly, these studies have been chosen to develop musicianship, not just technique. Creating your own left-hand fingering and original interpretive ideas will build the confidence needed to become an authoritative classical performer. If you have played the tenor banjo by ear or relied on tablature exclusively in the past, this is the book and now is the time to access the world of standard notation—for whatever style of music that interests you. The author provides liberal playing tips and suggestions for further sight reading. As the perfect fifth tunings of the tenor banjo and mandola are the same (CGDA), this music can also be played on the mandola. Includes access to online audio.
This book is an introduction to playing the viola. Intended for the square one beginner, it explains viola technique and basic reading concepts. The lessons emphasize learning new skills through pieces of music performed regularly by today's musicians, ranging from traditional songs to classical melodies. The book comes with accompanying audio.
Attempts to define a uniquely Scottish way of playing the guitar, to show that thousand-year tradition for what it is, and to incorporate it into later material, from Gaelic song to traditional airs and dances.
Rob MacKillop presents 20 wonderful fingerstyle blues arrangements andcompositions in DADGAD tuning. The styles covered in this book include country blues, boogie woogie left-hand piano blues, early jazz blues, gut-bucket blues and modal blues. Great traditional songs are included such as St. James Infirmary Blues, St. Louis Blues, C. C. Rider and more, alongside 15 full-length studies. The book begins with easy arrangements, progressing to intermediate and more advanced ones - in short, these blues studies will improve your technique through playable 12-bar tunes. A wide array of chord and scale fingerings are also provided, including pentatonic minor and major scales, blues scales, diminished arpeggios and scales, 7th chords, whole-tone scales and the super Locrian mode and much more! All the tunes presented have accompanying audio recorded by Rob MacKillop and are available to download
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