So you want to learn how to play the mandolin? the Mandolin: Dead Man's Tuning series is a collection of instructional books based on one of the easiest to learn tunings for the Mandolin, ADAD or DDAD. Volume 1: Basics Learn how to play the mandolin. How to play mandolin in open D tuning, also called Dead Man's Tuning or DDAD tuning. This is the first book in a series that teaches how to play mandolin in alternate tunings. It is perfect for beginners or advanced players who want to learn a different style of playing. Topics covered are picking patterns, chords and basic theory, finger style and string technique. Original artwork and diagrams are well done and make the topics easy to understand. Also included are photographs of hand made mandolin's by renowned mandolin builder Larry Hopkins. The included tablature contains both the standard sheet music as well as tablature in DDAD tuning and ADAD tuning for several of the songs. Many of the songs are duets designed for teachers and students, original songs, folk tunes, Irish melodies and traditional blues, jazz and bluegrass tunes arranged for both Dead Man's Tuning and ADAD tuning. Several of the songs are recorded on Mr. Minnix's CD "Mandolin Studies," which is also available. This is one of the only books available on the subject of alternate tunings for mandolin.