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 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

Understanding DADGAD is a complete introduction to using the DADGAD tuning for fingerstyle acoustic guitar. the book systematically explores the tuning, starting with simple chords and scale patterns, ultimately showing how DADGAD can be used to play in nearly any key and in many different musical styles. Topics include moveable and open-string chords and scales, intervals, the harp-effect, common chord progressions in DADGAD and more, all in the context of either short musical examples or complete tunes.Rather than just providing scales, chords, or tunes, this book guides the reader through the process of understanding the guitar from the perspective of DADGAD tuning. Topics are organized as a series of small self-contained sections ideal for a single study session or lesson. After exploring extremely easy ways to get started with DADGAD, involving as little as a single finger on the fretting hand, the book progresses to examples that will interest even more advanced players. 200 musical examples, including several full performance-quality pieces, demonstrate each concept. the companion recording features the author playing many of the examples.A complete introduction to DADGAD tuning for fingerstyle acoustic guitar. Begins with simple chords and scale patterns and progresses to more complex musical examples in many different keys. Topics include moveable and open-string chords and scales, the harp-effect, intervals, common chord progressions in DADGAD and more.

This book contains thirty of the most requested Celtic session tunes, arranged for DADGAD tuning. Accompanying audio is available as an online download, whichincludes performances by Rob MacKillop. To assist playing these tunes, a technique primer and specific exercises are included. With the use of a capo youwill be able to play these tunes in their traditional keys. The tunes can be played fingerstyle or with a pick. The repertoire includes classic tunes such as DrowsyMaggie, Soldier's Joy, St. Patrick's Day In the Morning, The Kesh, The Rights ofMan and The Wind That Shakes The Barley. A bonus twenty-five traditional Scottish lute pieces are included, also arranged for DADGAD tuning! Includes access to online audio

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.

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.