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mswlogo - Posted - 09/10/2018: 19:59:58
I think I almost have every book, CD, DVD Brian Wicklund has produced (Fiddle, Cello, Viola) and now Mandolin and in my almost 10 years at this and many books, I have gained more out of Brian's Book 1 & 2 than all others combined.
My wife recently started with the Mandolin and I was surfing the net for some intro books for her and up pops American Mandolin Method.
I immediately purchased both Book 1 and Book 2.
But here's the catch. In of themselves the Books/CDs are great for Mandolin and perfect for my wife. But, the "Fiddle Breaks" that Brian performs are just awesome. Think of it as Book 3 and Book 4 for Fiddle (but you don't get transcriptions of his Fiddle Breaks, you need to figure it out ;) ).
This is a typical sample from MelBay web site. Note that most tunes do not have vocals and it usually goes back and forth between Mandolin and Fiddle 2-3 times each. This example is not among my top 5 but you can get a feel for it.
Book 1
melbay.com/Content/Site161/Fil...26799.mp3
melbay.com/Content/Site161/Fil...26800.mp3
Book 2
melbay.com/Content/Site161/Fil...26805.mp3
melbay.com/Content/Site161/Fil...26806.mp3
I'm not to much into bluegrass or improvising, mostly because I find to many performers get to far away from the core tune for my brain to handle and they lose me. I think Brian is probably "holding back" on these tunes so as to not lose the Mandolin student. Personally they are just incredible. I've had the 2nd Book CD looping in my car for weeks. And every couple days I come home and just start playing the next tune I've burned in for the past couple days. That's what I was doing tonight and took a time out to share this info to like minded fiddle folks.
Couple of my favorites are his Billy in the Low Ground, Katy Hill, Elzik's Farewell. Oh, I forgot to mention these 2 books cover all the original tunes in Book 1 & Book 2 and a whole bunch of new tunes. Probably another 30-40% of new stuff.
And if you read Tab, the books include both Music Notation and Tab. Keep in mind both the Music Notation and Tab is on the Basic melody that the Mandolin plays (which is just fine to play along with on the Fiddle - Same Octave). Then Brian steps in with his modestly improvised "bluegrass style" break. On some tunes he sticks pretty close to the basic melody.
He has some really good underlying rhythm, doubles stops and slides all going on too. Nothing to crazy but definitely beyond Book 1 & 2 but not too far beyond that.
Edited by - mswlogo on 09/11/2018 22:19:05
stumpkicker - Posted - 09/11/2018: 05:49:20
Well I’m sold. I especially like the way you can easily pick up the fiddle’s back up playing. Is there a sound sample from book 2?
mswlogo - Posted - 09/11/2018: 22:20:14
quote:
Originally posted by stumpkicker
Well I’m sold. I especially like the way you can easily pick up the fiddle’s back up playing. Is there a sound sample from book 2?
I added 2 samples for each book.
I got them all from melbay.com just search Brian Wicklund
Edited by - mswlogo on 09/11/2018 22:20:38
stumpkicker - Posted - 09/12/2018: 04:23:13
Whoops! I never noticed the audio sound clips at the bottom of the page, ismy face red!! 
Thanks,
Rick
'German fiddle' 2 days
'What's it called?' 2 days
