Published By Mel Bay Publications
Written by Mickey Cochran

Sample Pages Available In Adobe Acrobat Format:

"Table of Contents and Title Page" in Adobe Acrobat Download File

"Under the Double Eagle" in Adobe Acrobat Download File

"Grandfather's Clock" in Adobe Acrobat Download File

Mel Bay writes: "This excellent method book offers the intermediate to advanced mandolinist a new voice through mastery of crosspicking technique. It is purposely written in mandolin tablature only as tab illustrates the crosspicking technique more clearly than standard notation. The authoritative text presents essays on tuning, tablature reading, pick strokes, and right hand technique and includes appendices with extensive suggestions for further listening and study. Offers chapters on bluegrass, fiddle, classical, and jazz/ragtime styles plus numerous exercises and arrangements of tunes using the crosspicking technique. Each tune is preceded by a preparatory study that provides a solid technical grounding before attempting the piece itself. Illustrated with chord diagrams and photographs of a variety of rare and interesting mandolins. 128 spiral-bound pages"

• 128 pages of exercises, songs, and technique builders
• Covers basic flatpicking techniques in detail along with the development of the crosspicking style including:
• "Getting Oriented"
• "Practice Makes Perfect"
• How to read tablature (having the ability to read music is not required)
• "Chord Diagrams"
• "Useful Tools"
• "Right Hand Technique"
• "Introductory Two-String Crosspicking"
• Many different Rolls are introduced --

This book also makes a good basic instruction manual to learning tablature, flatpicking tips and techniques and ultimately mastering the mandolin.

A review by Alan M. Bond: If you're into exotic mandolin styles reminiscent of the great masters of bluegrass who broke away from the Bill Monroe tradition, then you're in for a treat. Mandolin Crosspicking Technique by Mickey Cochran is the perfect beginning, middle, and end for the mandolinist entering the mystifying realm of crosspicking.

Crosspicking is said to have begun with Jesse McRynolds, who learned by imitating the three-finger banjo roll. Used by many other bluegrass stars, the roll may be your key to success.

In Mandolin Crosspicking Technique you learn in detail a beautiful range of rolls: forward, reverse, and alternating bass. This book also transcribes a variety of tunes, many of which you'll recognize, to help you learn the essence of the crosspicking style. From there, you can integrate Cochran's technique into your own style. This handy book could help you become the most famous mandolin crosspicking artist of all time!

Alan Bond is a member of the Dark Hollow Bluegrass band based in San Francisco. Be sure to check out their website:
Alan Bond's Mandolin Homepage

Testimonials:

Date: Fri, 02 May 2003 21:34:19 -0700
Subject: crosspicking recording(s)

Hi Mickey,
Your crosspicking book is a great teaching resource has been one of the most useful mando books i have encountered. Yes, I have most every McReynolds, Tiny Moore, Grisman, Wakefield, Thile, and Kenny Hall recording with crosspicking available, but here is the inevitable request:
Pending your CD to accompany your great crosspicking book, can I buy ANY recording of you crosspicking one or more of the pieces from your book. I really love the selections, but am finding it a bit slow going without a recording to guide me. I would not mind making a fair contribution toward your next recording effort if you could sell me even an unedited cut or two. thanks, john comstock

Greetings John,

Thanks so much for your kind enthusiasm regarding my crosspicking instructional material.

Yes, the crosspicking accompaniment CDs, for the "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" and the "Guitar Crosspicking Technique", are in planning. Therefore, please stay tuned with us on their release.

Now, I have performed a few of the crosspicking mandolin, and guitar, pieces on our website as instrument video samplers:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm

Unfortunately, I do not have them all documented...and, therefore, am not too sure of each instrumental's location.

You're welcome to go through these samplers, at the above link, to see if you discover any of them...I will also try to add a few more crosspicking arrangements in upcoming video samplers soon to be posted.

Keep on pickin', Mickey

Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002
Thanks for the kind words regarding my Crosspicking Mando book.

I could go on for quite some time about it, but suffice it to say it's
well organized, easy to follow and pleasing to the eye in its page
layout. Plus there's so much common sense in there, it's almost scary
:))
Garry Bryan

Andy Sicard
By the way, I have your Crosspicking Mandolin Book and
love it - well done! The exercises before the tunes
are awesome and worth the price of the book by
themselves. Excellent progression of techniques &
tunes... I take my hat off to you! andy sicard

Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 00:31:27 -0700
I recieved you gift this week , thank you
you write a very clear and easy to read book that shows great knowledge and
insight into not only playing but the process of learning as well
I am sure your book(which I was going to buy ) will be a great assett to my
developing skills
once again thank you
George Gleason

Date: 6 Dec 01 21:07:30 PST I might as well throw in a testimonial for your Mandolin Crosspicking
book. I've been plugging away at it and find your strengthening and timing
exercises to be fun, and really beneficial. My mandolin styling, as well as
my musical sense have really accelerated as a result of using your book to
guide my playing. I have been thinking for some time now that the only way
I'd get past the limitations I'd encountered on the mandolin would be to get a
personal instructor. Now, for only $20 and some elbow grease, I've leapt past
my previous obstacles and am making the kind of music I had been hoping to
make when I started playing the mandolin a year ago. Robin Lamb

Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 Mickey and staff... Had foot surgery last Friday ....so I've been wearing the KM1000 out!! (and the Goodtime too!) Got my hands on a copy of your crosspicking book...looks like one of the better tomes I've seen on mandos'... the arrangment of Soldier's Joy kicks! I also like John McEuen rippining it on Uncle Daves old machine!! Hey, could you send a bumper (guitar case) sticker with that dobro if you have any? Thanks. Frank Parker

Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 Hi Mickey, I just wanted to tell you that your Crosspicking book is one of the best books I have, and has greatly helped my flatpicking. I've always had a weak upstroke, and your exercises and songs have helped to develop my technique on both guitar and mandolin. I'm now learning to play the pedal steel. Sometimes I think I've got too many irons in the fire and not enough time. Anyway Thanks for a great book! Happy Holidays Ed

This Book may be purchased directly from Mystic West Products.