(Music Sales America). The bright and distinctive sound of the mandolin is more popular than ever in the rock and pop hits of the charts, and this unique tutorial will show you how to incorporate the instrument into your own songwriting. Learn how to back up a melody, write and perform a solo, and jam in a variety of styles. Topics covered include: equipment * choosing an instrument * pickups * amplifiers * effects * rhythm playing * doubling the snare * doubling the guitar * playing backup * soloing * harmonics * scales * double stops * crosspicking * tremolo * and the slide. An accompanying CD puts all the lessons into context by allowing you to hear exactly how it should all sound.