7 New Mandolin Books Defining 2025

When Tommy Norris crafted this collection, he tapped into the rich tradition of gospel music while pushing mandolin playing into fresh territory. You’ll find 16 traditional gospel tunes arranged for solo mandolin, blending the classic harmony reminiscent of shape note singing with modern, fluid sounds. The book’s use of perfect fifth tuning and frequent drones creates a unique texture that stands apart from typical mandolin arrangements. Whether you’re working through "Angel Band" or "Keep on the Sunny Side," Norris provides online recordings to accompany your practice, making it easier to master these intermediate to advanced pieces. If you’re drawn to gospel music and want to deepen your mandolin technique with authentic yet innovative arrangements, this book is designed for you.

Henry Dustin's experience crafting this guide shines through his methodical breakdown of mandolin essentials, helping you build a solid foundation from tuning to strumming. You’ll find clear instructions on finger positioning and reading sheet music, supported by illustrative exercises that make tricky concepts accessible. The book progresses into more refined techniques like tremolo and cross-picking, giving you tools to develop your own style. This guide suits beginners eager to learn at their own pace and those with some familiarity looking to deepen their skills without feeling overwhelmed.

This tailored book explores the latest developments in mandolin playing as of 2025, focusing on innovative techniques and cutting-edge musical insights. It covers new approaches to fingerstyle, tuning, and repertoire expansion, revealing trends shaping the mandolin scene today. With a personalized focus, it matches your background and specific interests to help you engage deeply with emerging styles and methods. Through this tailored journey, you gain a clear understanding of advanced mandolin concepts and how recent discoveries influence performance and creativity. It’s designed to keep you ahead in your playing by aligning content with your unique goals and musical preferences, making your learning experience both relevant and exciting.

Unlike most mandolin books that focus solely on technique or traditional repertoire, Dan Gelo’s collection dives into a lively mix of 62 fiddle and Irish tunes arranged specifically for mandolin solo. You’ll find both notation and tablature here, which sharpens your sight-reading skills while expanding your repertoire with authentic Irish music. The inclusion of split-track audio for 18 select songs lets you play along with solo mandolin parts, guitar accompaniment, or both, creating an immersive practice experience. This book suits intermediate players eager to deepen their technical ability without sacrificing musical enjoyment.

When Jeff Belding dove deeper into the world of bluegrass mandolin, he realized that mastering solos isn't just about playing notes but understanding the subtle language between them. This second volume takes you from intermediate to advanced techniques, focusing on expanding your fretboard knowledge and building a mental library of licks to enhance improvisation. You’ll find chapters dedicated to learning solos verbatim alongside exercises designed to help you internalize and adapt these phrases creatively. If you're ready to move beyond basics and develop fluent, expressive playing, this book offers the focused material to get you there.

After analyzing recent trends in mandolin education, Kevin Fennimore developed a beginner’s guide that strips away the confusion often surrounding this instrument. You’ll learn practical skills like selecting the right mandolin, mastering fundamental techniques, and reading sheet music and tablature with clarity. The book also dives into maintaining your instrument and performing confidently across multiple musical genres, making it ideal for anyone starting fresh or seeking a structured path. While it doesn’t dive deep into advanced playing, it offers a solid foundation to build your skills and musical confidence.

This tailored book explores the evolving world of mandolin music with a focus on 2025 trends and discoveries. It examines emerging styles, new playing techniques, and innovations shaping the mandolin landscape, all tailored to your musical background and preferences. By concentrating on your specific interests and goals, it offers a personalized journey through the cutting-edge of mandolin evolution, helping you stay ahead of new developments. Through detailed explorations of contemporary sounds and innovations, this book reveals how to adapt your playing to future directions, making it an engaging resource for musicians eager to deepen their understanding of mandolin's dynamic progression.

Unlike most mandolin instruction books that focus on technical jargon, Ivo . G Wagner’s guide breaks down the learning curve into approachable steps, making skill-building feel natural. You’ll move from tuning basics through advanced techniques like tremolo and double stops, all explained with clear diagrams and play-along tracks. This book suits beginners eager to progress independently and intermediate players wanting to refine their style without costly lessons. It balances practical skill development with cultural insights, enriching your musicality beyond just notes and chords.

What happens when a passionate musician with a clear teaching mission tackles mandolin instruction? Debbie . F Macfarlane's "Mandolin Mastery Made Easy" responds with practical, approachable guidance aimed at beginners and intermediate players seeking to sharpen their skills. You’ll find focused chapters that cover essential techniques like tremolo and harmonics, alongside genre-specific tips for folk, bluegrass, and classical styles. The book balances technical drills with musicality, helping you gain speed, accuracy, and confidence to perform solo or in groups. If you're eager to move beyond basics with a structured yet accessible roadmap, this book lays out exactly how to do it without overwhelming jargon or flashy promises.