Nine lessons presented by nine mandolin masters. Styles taught include bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, blues, and contemporary "new acoustic."

The mandolin has been enriching western music with its distinctive voice for nearly three centuries. Master the basics in no time and learn to play everything from blues and bluegrass to jazz and classical.

Sam Bush's rhythm playing is without peer in the world of the mandolin--part bluegrass, part reggae, part rock 'n' roll. Here, he shows all aspects of his style: chopping, strumming, accenting, damping, subdividing beats, keeping good time and more to guide you in learning to play the mandolin.

A modern-day mandolin master shows you how to play melodies, improvise variations and step out and take a hot lead solo. He teaches a variety of tunes in different keys and styles, from straight bluegrass to contemporary originals. Sam helps you build your technique with warm-ups, scales, drills and a unique callous-building exercise. He addresses how to improve speed, play with good time and improve your right hand picking, offering vital information...