The Mandolin of Norman Blake
HOMESPUN

Traditional and Original Tunes and Techniques


Taught By Norman Blake.
Level 3
90-minute DVD or VHS, Includes tab book
With Nancy Blake

Before there was bluegrass there were fiddle tunes, mostly brought to these shores from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Norman and Nancy Blake teach beautiful, little-known old-time and original instrumentals in the Celtic and Southern mountain tradition.

All of the tunes presented here will be easy to learn by intermediate-level mandolinists. Norman and Nancy Blake have chosen hauntingly beautiful mandolin instrumentals in the Celtic and Southern mountain traditions. Each of the tunes is a gem chosen for easy learning by intermediate-level mandolin players. The duo generously shares tips and advice on tuning, phrasing, ornamentation, double-stops, tremolos, drones, split strings and other essential topics.

Norman teaches lovely traditional tunes, playing each one up to speed and then slowed down as our split-screen close-ups capture both the picking and the fingering in detail. You’ll learn little-known pieces like John Brown's March, Campbell's Farewell To Red Gap and The Hollow Poplar. Nancy shows you how to play her own Father's Hall. Norman’s slow Irish air The Little Fair Child features tremolo, and the spectacular Jack Danielson's Reel, with its leaps up and down the neck, challenges players with more advanced technique. Green Castle Hornpipe, and two duets, Mandolin Fanfare and Blake's March, close this excellent lesson.

Extra: Norman uses prized vintage instruments to demonstrate differences in tone, including his "Style B" Lyon & Healy, a 1914 Martin, a 1914 Gibson "A4", a 1922 white-top "A3" and a 1923 Lloyd Loar "F5."

About Norman Blake

Norman Blake has been a powerful multi-instrumental force (guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Dobro, etc.) on the traditional country music scene for nearly three decades. He has toured and/or recorded with Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, June Carter, Kris Kristofferson, John Hartford, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many others. For nearly 20 years, Norman has also been touring and recording with his wife Nancy, a talented instrumentalist in her own right. Together and separately they have made over 15 albums.