3 Guitars, Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitars Products • NEW

New design based on the 3 Guitars layout, includes an Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitar.  Keeps you playing all day with a clock, or t-shirt, note book, or fridge magnet. Check out all the new items at our CafePress store.

3 Guitars, Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitars Tote Bag

Announcing new 3 and 2 Guitar T-shirts and Tote bags. The bags have images of Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitars on them. The 2 Guitar has just the electric guitars. The totes are great for carrying all your music to your jams and practice sessions.

Check them all out in our CafePress Acoustic Music TV store
Click here

3 Guitars, Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitars Shirts and Tote Bag

New T-shirts, bags and gifts from Acoustic Music TV. Left is our new 3 Guitar shirt, including an Acoustic, an Electric and a Bass guitar.

You can check out all the cool new items at our CafePress shop, click here

Guitar and Banjo Chord Fingering Charts Tote Bags

Along with the Mandolin and Ukulele Chord Fingering Chart tote bags, we also have some cool Guitar and Banjo bags. These are great for carrying your music or maybe food to the next gig. And are a great reference for when you can't quite remember what the guitar or banjo chords look like. For Guitar we have the basics with the major, minor and seventh chords, and the major keys A-G with their matching 1, 4, 5, and 5th/7 chords. Along with the guitar we also have Banjo fingering chord charts for both G and D tunings. The quality is great, nice and roomy and on the outside is all the information you will need to keep playing.

Click here to check out all the new items at our Acoustic Music TV shop and thank you.

Guitar and Mandolin Seven Major Chords Tote Bags

Always searching around for the right chord to play. These new Guitar and Mandolin Major Seven Chord tote bags get you off to a great start. Each bag has the Major A-G chord fingering, an illustration and pick. They hold a lot and are the perfect companion on your next gig or trip to the store.

Here is the link to our Cafepress store to pick up one today, Acoustic Music TV Store

New Guitar and Mandolin T-Shirts

I have been working hard on developing several new designs for our t-shirts and tote bags. Did these up today, above are two shirts with the Mandolin and Guitar 7 Major Chord design with an illustration and pick.

You can check them out at this Cafepress link, Acoustic Music TV shop

Mandolin and Guitar Chord Chart T-Shirts

Along with our tote bags, which are great for carrying all your sheet music and favorite songs to your next jam are our new T-shirts with chord fingering charts. How is that chord again, oh wait here it is right on my shirt. Just look down and there you are. These are the value shirts from Cafepress, so the quality is great and the fit very comfortable. Check them out at the CafePress Acoustic Music TV shop

We have a nice selection of chord Fingering Charts T-Shirts:
• Guitar Basic Chords
• Mandolin Basic Chords
• Banjo D Tunings Chords
• Banjo G Tunings Chords
• Ukulele Basic Chords

Click here to check them all out at our AMTV Products Store.

Mandolin Chord Fingering Chart Tote Bags

Brand new for the holidays, we have taken our very popular mandolin chord fingering charts and dropped them on to our tote bags. Our mandolin charts are some of our most popular free download pdf files. Well now they can now go with you where ever you travel and are ready for a handy reference or the perfect gift for that new mando player. These sturdy bags are great for carrying all your music.

Click here and check them out at our Cafepress Acoustic Music TV store.

We also have lots of other new chord fingering chart tote bags, including,
• Mandolin 2 Finger Chart Tote Bag
• Mandolin A-G Keys with the 1, 4, 5 Chords Tote Bag
• Ukulele Basic Chords Tote Bag
• Ukulele A-G Keys with the 1, 4, 5 Chords Tote Bag
Check them all out at Cafepress Acoustic Music TV Store

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

The 1961 Classic by Nat King Cole, The Christmas song

Number 10 on the Top 10 List of Holiday CDs, Let It Be Christmas, Alan Jackson

Let It Be Christmas, Alan Jackson

Ok, so lets go country for our number 10 CD on our Top Ten List of favorite holiday albums. With a sales rank right up there on Amazon, this album has all the rave reviews. Containing 10 well-know holiday tunes and Jackson's warm, soothing voice you have a winner. "Jingle Bells" has been given a honky-tonk piano, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a little jazzed up, and the acoustic based "Silent Night" is just gorgeous.

Alan Jackson brings his own style and flavor to classic holiday songs. Some even compare this to Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" and Johnny Mathis' "Merry Christmas." Jackson produces wonderful versions of the classics and pleasing versions of the standards. That says it for me, this is a must have.

Pick up a copy today at Amazon.com, the holidays are just around the corner.

Saga Appalachian Mandolin, with Gig Bag

When I look at my blog stats and see what people comment about the biggest area, other than all the amazing comments on the Clay Aiken's holiday CD, is on Mandolins. People love our Mandolin chord charts and download them all the time. So for this post I have put up a nice starter mandolin kit, a decent, mid price A-style body shape mandolin, all Maple construction, Rosewood fingerboard, adjustable strap, two picks, gig bag and tuner, plus an instructional dvd. A great place to start. The dvd is from Homespun instructional tapes and dvd, a long time respected place for lessons. I have many of their dvds.

The only change I might make is to add a electronic tuner, a little easier than the pitch pipe, check out our post on the IMT 500 tuner from September, something like works well. There were also some nice reviews on this instrument, like this one "Seems like a good beginner mandolin. I had to put better strings on it first thing, but other than that i've been very happy with it." The other reviews also mentioned about the strings, so I would pick up a set, they are all under $10. I like the Martin Mandolin strings or the D'Addario strings, Amazon carries the D'Addario.

To learn more check out the link below to Amazon

Yamaha Gigmaker Deluxe Acoustic Guitar Package

A great place to get started playing guitar, the Yamaha Gigmaker Acoustic Guitar. Everything you need, a nice entry level guitar, a tuner, case, picks and strap. Plus an instructional DVD full of lessons. Yamaha is a well respected name in the music instrument world, I have one of their guitars and love it. This package pulls it all together.

This is the little more expensive package, just under $200, this also comes in a standard version, but this guitar comes with a solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and side and a Rosewood fingerboard, just a little nicer. The deluxe and standard packages are both great ways for the first time player to get started.

Some excellent reviews on Amazon on this package, "Beautiful guitar, fast shipping...what more can you ask for? My son took guitar in school this year and was hooked. I didn't want to spend a fortune when he wanted a guitar for his 13th birthday so after ALOT of research, I found this steal! It's a really nice instrument. The guitar player next door was impressed with it as well. I like that this kit comes with everything he'll need to get started." And this quote "I did not expect the high level of finish and quality for the price.Great starter package."

Click through to Amazon to learn more about this package

Number 9 on Top Ten List, The Andy Williams Christmas Album

The Andy Williams Christmas Album by Andy Williams

We gave you a little hint below with the Andy Williams video, The Andy Williams Christmas Album is one of the best selling Christmas albums, it is a holiday institution. Big shoes in the world of Perry Como, Bing Crosby and Tony Bennett. This album is regarded as one of Williams best Christmas collections and should be in everyone's collection.

This album is filled with all the classics, "White Christmas, The First Noel, O Holy Night, Away in the Manger, The Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, Holy Night" and more. Some call this the best ever recording of Holiday music, a voice that whenever you hear it you think of Christmas. This album has been remastered along with his green album, "Merry Christmas" and put in Columbia/Legacy's "Essential Holiday Classics" series, high praise indeed.

Amazon has them all, pick up Andy Williams for your collection today.

Number 8, Top Ten, A Fresh Aire Christmas, Mannheim Steamroller

A Fresh Aire Christmas, Mannheim Steamroller

The first Mannheim Steamroller "Christmas" Album completely changed contemporary Christmas, this album, the follow up album became a masterpiece, creating a truly unique classical/modern sound. Adding electronic touches and a percussion blend to beloved Christmas favorites. Chip Davis the creator of our Number 8 on our list of Top Ten Christmas CD, created some truly distinctive interpretations of Christmas classics.

This CD contains some of the most love Holiday classics, "Hark! The Herald Angles Sing, Little Drummer Boy, Greensleeves, and Carol of the Bells along with 6 more wonderful selections.

With over 60 reviews of this album on Amazon, this phrase sums them up, "Beautiful Christmas music for the Soul". Just a click away on Amazon check out the Mannheim Steamroller's, A Fresh Aire Christmas

The Andy Williams Christmas Show - Happy Holidays - The Williams & Osmond Brothers

Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle

So lets open up the list of the best music gifts for the holidays and talk about a keyboard for your budding piano player. Amazon has some great deals this holiday season and this one is no exception. List price is well over $300 and this is going for nicely under $200.

The Yamaha EZ-200 61 is a full-sized touch sensitive lighted keyboard, this bundle includes a set of professional headphones, a keyboard stand, and the power supply. Amazon has less expensive models and other brands but this is a good place to start. I have a Yamaha electric piano at home and it has been great for years. Plus with the lighted keyboards it just leads you along in learning to play.

Here is a review from Amazon that says it all. "For someone looking for instant gratification, this keyboard offers just that. Open the box, read the simple instructions and begin playing even classical pieces because the keyboard will tell you where to put your fingers exactly! From there you can memorize the piece yourself so you can play without needing the assistance. Great Idea"

Check out the Yamaha 61 at Amazon for the holidays

Top 10 Christmas CD of All Time #7: A Christmas Album, Amy Grant

A Christmas Album, Amy Grant

Lets move up to modern times with the 7th album in our list of the Top 10 Christmas CDs, A Christmas Album by Amy Grant. As written on Amazon, this album is not only one of the best recordings of Amy Grant's career but is easily one of the best contemporary Christmas collections available.

Grant is one of the top Christian and country singers today and brings not only her faith to this CD but all her great talent as a singer and song writer, writing 4 of the songs on this album. With great songs like "Tennessee Christmas," and "Heirlooms," "Emmanuel" and the classic "Angels We Have Heard on High" we have a must have collection.

This review from Amazon pretty much says it all " I grew up listening to this album and I never get tired of it year after year. It's always the first one I play when Christmastime rolls around." You can get a copy today, click this link from Amazon.com

Fender Starcaster Electric Guitar Pack with Amp and Accessories, Candy Apple Red

Ok so we can't ignore the electric guitars, remember we are acoustic and acoustic is sound and well here we are. Just saying Fender Starcaster gets the juices going, and candy apple red well, what more do you want except for the screaming fans.

This is a great package on Amazon, you got the Strat with great sound, a cool little Squier SP-1- amp and all the accessories. The cable, tuner, gig bag, stand, strap, picks and a instructional DVD to get every player going. Did we say candy apple red. This is a great beginner package, perfect for the teen student getting into playing the guitar.

Lots of great reviews on Amazon with comments like, "As a beginning guitarist, I think the product is excellent. The little amp seems to have a lot of volume and good tone, and the guitar is very well made from what I can tell. It sounds good, feels good, and plays very well." and "One final note, the guitar not only sounds great, it looks beautiful as well. The candy-apple red color is rich and deep (slightly darker than the picture), and the finish has no flaws at all."

Check out all the details at Amazon on this cool electric guitar

Top 10's Number 6 Holiday Album, George Winston, December, Piano Solos

December, Piano Solos: 20th Anniversary Edition by George Winston.

This holiday CD is regarded as one of Amazon.com's essential recordings. This CD holds the distinction of single-handedly putting Windham Hill on the map. It set up George Winston to be who we now think of. While being 20 years old it still holds its own and speaks to the spirit of the season. Mixing traditional carols and classical works and his own, you can just feel the winter silence and holiday that we call Christmas.

This recording contains 14 pieces including, Thanksgiving, Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head, Joy, Night/Part One: Snow, The Holly, Pachelbel, The Ivy and more. As an Amazon reviewer says "A true classic in the genres of new age music and holiday albums, this is a must-have CD." A classic holiday collection.

You can make it a part of your collection. Click this link to pick up a copy from Amazon today

Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar Package from Amazon

The Yamaha C40 is a guitar I can personally vouch for. This is my guitar and I have loved it. I bought a used C40 from my guitar teacher for $50. I always felt the guitar maker just had a great day the day he made mine. This is an acoustic classical guitar with nylon strings with a beautiful sound. Don't let the under $150 price fool you, this guitar has been a friend to me.

Here is what Amazon says about it. Yamaha guitar packages are an affordable, all in one solution to guitarists seeking a high quality instrument with multiple accessories. The C40 package includes a full sized Yamaha C40 nylon string classical guitar, a guitar case and a CD with examples for the student to listen to and play along with. The C40 guitar features beautiful Indonesian Mahogany back and sides, a Spruce top, Javanese Rosewood fretboard and bridge, and chrome tuners.

What is great about the nylon string guitars is that you can play them for hours, when everyone else's fingers are hurting you can just keep going. Also if you play at home around a family you can play these very quietly, they are just beautiful classical guitars at a great entry level price.

Check them out on Amazon, tell them Bruce sent you.

#5 in Top 10 List: Holiday Sing-Along with Mitch Miller

Holiday Sing-Along with Mitch Miller, Mitch Miller

Coming in at #5 on our list of Top Holiday CD is this favorite by Mitch Miller. Classic Holiday Carols sung by a good chorus is how they write about this CD. Hard to image Christmas without hearing Mitch Miller's music. Contains many traditional favorites including; Frosty the Snowman, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Christmas Song, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Twelve Days of Christmas, Jingle Bells, Silent Night and of course White Christmas, 16 songs in all.

Some have called this the greatest Christmas album ever recorded along with one of the most classic, others have called it uplifting. This classic album goes back to 1961, but if you like great and timeless then this is a must for your library.

Click on our affiliate link to get a copy at Amazon,

Takamine S35 Jasmine Acoustic Guitar (Natural)

Right at the top of the list for an entry level guitar, the Takamine S35 Jasmine Acoustic Guitar. A good deal at the $200 list price but for this year it is great at $74 at last we checked.

As Amazon says the best deal you'll find in a great acoustic guitar, the Jasmine S35 features a Spruce top and Mahogany back & sides with a satin finish. Contemporary styling and time-tested construction methods produce an instrument that is built to last and, most importantly, sounds powerful and clean on all strings, from treble to bass. Chrome covered tuning machines and a rosewood fretboard are also featured.

Good base, nice treble, just a great way to start. This guitar has over 60 reviews with comments like, "very good acoustic smooth sound," "a good beginner's guitar," "smooth, solid, rich wood, this guitar is top notch." A great place to begin learning the guitar.

Check it out at Amazon, click on the affiliate link below.

Top 10 Christmas CD of All Time: Bing Crosby and White Christmas

White Christmas, Bing Crosby

Well if we thought that Charlie Brown was a classic, Bing Crosby's White Christmas wrote the book. White Christmas the song and CD is forever stamped with Crosby's name. I remember watching White Christmas with Kanny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, This Cd has all of the classic tunes in his crooning Christmas manner. Even if you don't know who Bing Crosby is he is burned into our DNA. This is one of the finest Christmas albums every made with some estimates of over 50 million sold. This album started the trend of major artists recording holiday albums. The Guinness Book of World Records lists White Christmas as a 100 million seller. This record and now cd has never been out of print.

Including: Silent Night, White Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Jingle Bells with the Andrews Sisters, Silver Bells and who can forget It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

This Amazon reviews kinds of nails it "Bing was an absolute master of his craft back when this album was made and John Scott Trotter's orchestrations were to Bing what Nelson Riddle was to Sinatra - perfect"

A must have for everyone's holiday collection, click here to pick one up at copy at Amazon:

#3 in Top Ten List of CD Albums: A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi

Well you can't get any more classic than the Charlie Brown Christmas, this CD is the original sound track recording from the CBS Television Special. A special that always stops everyone in my household for an evening of viewing. This disc will take you back to your childhood. Remember Charles Schulz's classic Peanuts characters well all of them are here.

Great piano playing will bring a smile to your home with the classic tracks, including: O Tennenbaum, What Child is This, Linus and Luch, Christmas Time is Here, Greensleeves and more.

A great comment from an Amazon reviewer says it all " This is the Tao of Christmas. You can't help but lose yourself in the meditative freedom expressed in this arrangement, like the Peanuts characters in the movie, gliding so freely, smoothly and gracefully on the frozen pond in the pristine greyness of winter."

Click here to get your copy at Amazon for the Holiday season:

Second Most Popular Amazon Instument, The Kala Mahogany Ukulele

Well here it is, this is the second most popular Stringed Instrument in the Folk & World Instruments area on Amazon.com. The Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele w/binding. Ukuleles are becoming more and more popular. I see them at guitar camp and in the stores all the time. This beauty comes in at $55.00, and has a full-bodied tone with as they say plenty of "Sweet Highs" and "Mellow Lows". I like playing the Uke, it is an easy little instrument to strum away on and very easy to cary around.

This one has the traditional white binding on the top and a rich satin mahogany finish with chrome die cast tuners. The Kala is a great little instrument to get started with, and looks like a favorite based on reading the reviews.

I would also pick up a couple of books by Jim Beloff, such at Camp Ukulele, or Ukulele Beach Party, all available on Amazon, just search on Beloff. Easy to understand, great songs, a great place to start. And remember we have free pdf chord charts for the Ukulele, just sign up above.

To check out more info on the Uku or to purchase for a Christmas gift click on the link below.

#2 in our The Best Christmas CDs: Holiday Spirits, Straight No Chaser

Holiday Spirits, Straight No Chaser

You may remember this guys, they are the a cappella group that had the 8 million views on YouTube with the phenomenon "the 12 Days of Christmas." Well they are out with a captivating Cd with ten unadulterated human voices singing extraordinary music with a sense of humor.

Includes songs Jingle Bell Rock, Christmas Wish, Little Saint Nick, The classic 12 Days of Christmas sung live, Silent Night, and Auld Lang Syne.

With over 200 reviewers this is quickly becoming one of the classic holiday albums. Quotes like "My favorites", "a must have addition to your Christmas music collection" and "If you like Holiday music, you will absolutely love this one."

You can see all of the list on our Top 10 Christmas CD site.

To pick up the CD collection, click on the Amazon link and enjoy.

Great Response to Clay Aiken's Top 10 Christmas CD

Well I wanted to thank all of our readers on the great response to our posting of our new Top 10 list and to the Number one CD on the list, Clay Aiken's Merry Christmas with Love. Just overwhelming. Here are some of the responses that came in as comments:

"This is one of my favorite holiday albums. Clay Aiken and the holidays are a good match. The album makes a good gift."

"I love Clay Aiken's Christmas album...He sings Christmas songs like no one else....If you have an opportunity to pick up an EP of "All Is Well"..please do so..you won't be disappointed..... It is incredible...You'll play Clay's music all through the holidays....it truly is wonderful."

"Thank you for the reminder -- it's not too soon to start playing Clay Aiken's "Merry Christmas with Love." Clay and Christmas music are synonymous, IMO. His vocals are superb."

"I just LOVE Clay Aiken's Merry Christmas with Love album. It's amazing!"

And these are just 4 of the many, so thank you everyone and make sure you check out his CD. Reading through his over 500 reviews on Amazon, your get the same love and affection.

Here is the Amazon link again, Merry Christmas With Love

Three Chords for Christmas Guitar Songbook

Three Chords for Christmas Guitar, Jerry Silverman

This is one of the books I use, 3 Chords for Christmas Guitar. Hard to beat, just 3 chords per song. Nice simple melody lines, lyrics and all the songs you know with over 90 to choose from. No strange chords, a great book for the beginning guitarist.

Over 90 great Christmas songs, all playable with just 3 chords! Including: Angels We Have Heard On High, As Lately We Watched, The Babe of Bethlehem, Boar's Head Carol, Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabell Carol of the Birds, Cherry Tree Carol, A Child This Day is Born, Christ Was Born on Christmas Day, Come, All Ye Shepherds, Come, Kiss the Baby, Come, Let Us Adore Him, Come, Little Sheherds, The Coventry Carol, Deck the Halls, The First Noel, The Friendly Beasts, Go Tell It On The Mountain, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Here We Come A-Wassailing, I Saw Three Ships, In A Manger Was Born, and more.

Pick it up today at Amazon and you will be all set when the holidays come around and people want to sing.

Top 10 Christmas CD List on AMTV

I know it seems a little odd to have a top 10 holiday CD list in our blog, but I love playing the holiday songs on my guitar. You can't play them any other time of the year, people just look at you like you are nuts. There are a lot of great songs to play on guitar and because you have heard the songs your whole life you know where they are suppose to go and how they are suppose to sound. So at this time of year I break out my holiday song book and play away. And to go along with this are a list of some of the all time favorite CD collections. So watch this space play along.

Here is the link over to our full page of Top 10 Holiday CD,

Top 10 Christmas CDs: Merry Christmas with Love, Clay Aiken

Merry Christmas with Love, Clay Aiken

One of the most popular Christmas Cds, Merry Christmas with Love by Clay Aiken, including the songs, O Holy Night, Winter Wonderland, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Mary-did You Know, Joy to the World, The Christmas Song, Don't Save it all fro Christmas Day, Merry Christmas with Love, Sleigh Ride, and What are You Doing New Years Eve?

This Cd has over 500 reviews on Amazon attesting to it popularity. He sings in a straightforward way, different from many celebrities who go a little crazy with holiday songs. As Tammy La Gorce says " Aiken lets it rip, reining in a passion and pure-heartedness so believable that fans will wish he, rather than the guy in the red velvet suit, were Santa Claus."

Some of the comments from customer reviews "amazing vocal range, shows his true talent" "A great voice...sounds like he's havingso much fun singing his song" and "Clay Aikens new Christmas Cd is one of the best I have ever heard"

Click here to pick up a copy of the CD at Amazon


Check out all of our Top Ten Holiday CDs on our Top 10 Christmas CDs site.

Sour's 'Hibi no Neiro' (Tone of everyday)

This music video was shot for Sour's 'Hibi no Neiro' (Tone of everyday) from their first mini album 'Water Flavor EP'. The cast were selected from the actual Sour fan base, from many countries around the world. Each person and scene was filmed purely via webcam.

Director: Masashi Kawamura + Hal Kirkland + Magico Nakamura + Masayoshi Nakamura

I bet this took some effort to pull together

GP50 3-Piece Junior Child/Kids Drum Set with Sticks - Black (for 3 to 8 yrs)

Ok so we have moved from the acoustic guitar to the keyboard to now the drums, a full band.

A perfect starter set for the young player in your family. Amazon writes "The GP-50 3 Piece Junior drum set features a hi-hat stand for added fun and to help develop your child's 4-way coordination. This smaller size drum set is perfect for the young student drummer.

With fully tunable top and bottom heads, real wood shells & chrome plated metal hardware, its durable quality will hold up to your child's playing! The snare drum and adjustible angle tom are both 10" and have 5 lugs each. The 11"x16" bass drum has 12 lugs and features attractive color-matched inlaid rims and a ported drum head for a pro-like "look". Includes: snare drum stand, hi-hat stand and drum stool - all with adustible height, brass cymbals, spring-loaded bass drum pedal, cymbal arm, drum sticks and tuning key. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 and smaller 8 year olds. Makes a wonderful music gift for kids! Replacement parts are also available. Some assembly is needed for this drum set. Easy set-up instructions are included. Available in 9 attractive colors!"

I don't know much about drums but from this Amazon reviewer it looks like this might be a good set to get started on, "I got this drum set for my early musician 2 year old son. He does not get tired of playing with it. The set is like a pro one but junior size. VERY WELL DONE, EXCELLENT QUALITY AND CAN TAKE A TODDLER'S BEATING!!!"

Check it out today on Amazon.

Guitar Power Chord Chart, New NoteBook Music Chord Chart

Our newest pdf Chord Chart, The Guitar Power Chord Chart. We get requests all the time about doing a guitar power chord chart. I started looking around the web at other charts and found them confusing, I also just wasn't that familiar with power chords, so this is our stab at it. I would love your comments on it. This chart is a little different in that it is trying to show how the power chord is played instead of just a chart of positions. Also these are movable chords so it is really one fingering, just moved around. A little like we how we play mandolin two finger chords.

You can get you copy by signing up on the mailing list upper right and it will direct you to the download page. And let me know your comments.

Chris Thile, the Mandolin and Mandolin Concerto

Chris Thile the amazing mandolin player brought his Mandolin Concerto to Birmingham, Alabama and played with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Last week he was with the Oregon Symphony to play. As they say the "mandolin wizard Chris Thile" is always pushing the boundries and taking his instrument and music to new emotional range.

To read more on Chris Thile and his efforts, check out Nonesuch.com

Ukulele Tabs for Everyone

The Ukulele is increasing in popularity all the time. We get more and more responses to posts when we talk about it and our Ukulele Chord Charts are downloaded every day. Here is a cool site we just came across, Ukulele-tabs.com. It is a free user contributed source for ukulele tabs, chords and lessons. Playing the Ukulele is easy with the chords shown right along with the music. Includes songs like Imagine b John Lennon, Pretty Woman by Ray Orbinson, and Flake by Jack Johnson among many more. Looks like a great place to keep up on your Ukulele music and learning how to play the ukulele.

Click here to visit Ukulele-tabs.com

Tuner for your IPhone

Well this looks like a cool thing to check out. It is an instrument tuning app for your iPhone. It is called Guitar Toolkit and uses the iPhone's built in microphone. It is a chromatic tuner, a metronome, has a chord section and a scale section. You can tune almost any musical instrument, so great for calling in your band members and getting them all in tune.

Click to read the entire review.

Keep Your Guitar, Mandolin and Fiddle in Tune with the IMT500

Not the easiest name but a great little tuner that always causes other players to go, "What kind of tuner is that, that is really cool looking." The Intelli IMT-500 clip on chromatic tuner that works with electric and acoustic guitars, basses, violins, banjos, mandolins, all without the use of wires, microphones or pickups. Tuning in noisy environments is a easy because the unique, flexible clamp actually "feels" the instrument's vibrational energy instead of relying on sound. And, the swivel allows a perfect view of the back lit display. The best part is that this amazing quality tuner costs a fraction of what other similar tuners cost. It works great and keeps you in tune.

This music tuner was tied for number two in popularity on our list of Back to School music items. To learn more click on the Amazon link below.
Intelli IMT-500 clip on chromatic tuner

Gig Bag Book of Picture Chords for Guitarists

Another in the popular Gig Bag Book series, Gig Bag Book of Picture Chords for Guitarists also got a lot of interest on our Back to School Gift List. This book is packed with information, it fits in your case and has a comb-bound binding so it lays flat. With over 1,000 standard chord forms in easy-to-read diagrams and close-up photos this is an excellent reference for the student or the experienced player.

To learn more or pick up a copy click on the Amazon link below.
Gig Bag Book of Picture Chords for Guitarists

Mandolin Gig Chord Book

We have been pulling together our Back to School List and this book pops as a favorite, The Gig Bag Book of Mandolin Chords. This book has over a 1,100 chords presented in standard notation and diagrams illustrating fingering, inversion and scale degrees. For the common chords several different positions are given. This book pops up all the time when I am at gigs. Also fits great in your case with its tall skinny size, about 11.5" x 5".

To learn more click on the Amazon link below.
The Gig Bag Book of Mandolin Chords

Back to School Gift Suggestions for 2009

Bruce here from Acoustic Music TV, thank you all for your support and hope you have enjoyed our chord charts. Well we have made it to September and the temperatures are starting to go down and the students are heading back to school.

I was trolling around on Amazon and came across a great list of popular music items and thought that some of these would make great presents for the back to school student. So I went through it and pulled out some instrument tuners, a music stand, the Snowball USB mic and even a harmonica. Also whenever I go to a jam someone is always pulling out one of those skinny gig chord books if they aren't using our charts so I put in a number of those too.

I put them all on a page on our Music Chord Chart site,

so give them a look if you get a chance, here is the link:

http://web.me.com/bjdesign/Acoustic_Music_TV/Back_to_School.html

Thank you again and let me know what are some of your favorite music item for gifts. We are working on some gift pages for this year's holidays and would love to make sure we highlight some great items.

Mike Marshall's Mandolin Fundamentals on DVD

One of today's great mandolin players, Mike Marshall, has a new two DVD set for beginners to experienced mandolin players. In his DVD set he takes you through proper techniques, problem solving and exercise regimen. He begins with the basics, holding the instrument, correct posture, how to eliminate tension by having the proper hand and pick positions. Using Mike's Fingerbuster exercises you can build your physical abilities while getting command of the mandolin fingerboard. With exercises on scales, chord shapes and arpeggios you will learn to visualize the mandolin fretboard and improve your overall playing ability.
Published by Homespun, Directed by Happy Traum

To learn more details click on the link below.
Mike Marshall's Mandolin Fundamentals For All Players #1-Building Technique Through Exercises and Melodic Studies

Fan of Acoustic Music TV with our New T-Shirt

A big thank you to one of our readers, for picking up one of our new T-shirts at our AMTV store, excellent. To anyone, buy one of our new Tees or bags or mugs, take a picture of you with it and send it in and we will put it up.

thank you, thank you

Cool Ukulele Site

Hi, all, I came across this cool Ukulele site today, if you are into ukes then this one of the places you want to be, ukuleleunderground.com. They have lesson videos, (really well done), song videos, a forum, reviews, a store, the whole works. And the man in all the vides, Aldrine Guerrero plays and sings beautifully. So check it out and keep playing.

Banjo Chord Charts in G Tuning

Our Banjo chords are here for both G and D tunings. Check out the above chart for Banjo Chords in G Tuning. The Banjo is essential in everyones Bluegrass band. Download and 3 hole punch for your jam note book. Available for Free after signing up on the form to the right.

Free Banjo Chords in D

Our Banjo chords are here. Above check out our Banjo Chords in D Tuning. Download and 3 hole punch for your jam note book. The Banjo is essential in everyones Bluegrass band, so download and enjoy. Available for Free after signing up on the form to the right.

How to Put Together a Bluegrass Band

Pretty good lesson from Brad Laird on how a bluegrass ensemble is put together and then how to play Boil 'em Cabbage Down with the mandolin in that group.

Gerry Ryan in the Studio on Acoustic Music TV

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Join Salem, MA based singer song writers Gerry Ryan, Charlie Ortolani and Melissa Fleming in the AMTV/NPATV studio for a half hour of song and stories. We hear several of Gerry Ryan's new songs including, Fool Moon, Don' Talk to Me, Seaport Town and Down the Highway, plus a joint venture with Charlie, Pick Up the Pieces. With an interview woven inbetween we have a wonderful journy with music.

Tags: acoustic music tv, gerry ryan, folk music, samw, charlie ortolani

T-Shirts and Gifts From Acoustic Music TV

I had a great idea the other day, I have drawn all of these cool instruments for my chord charts, the guitar, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, etc, and thought wouldn't these look good on a t-shirt. I have always wanted to produce a line of t-shirts, and I now have all this cool art so why not. So over the next bit of time I will be putting up all kinds of shirts, and gifts using the art from our charts. Everything is located on Cafepress, so it makes it easy to order and it is ready to go. If anyone has a cool idea for a shirt, it isn't to hard to make one up so let me know and I can pull one together. I would also love to see you wearing one so take a picture and send it in and I will post it.

To Check out our AMTV Store at CafePress Click Here

Banjo Chord Sheets Coming Shortly

Look at this cool picture from 1856, The Banjo Player by William Sidney Mount, pretty neat. Summer has finally arrived in the north east and we are finished with all the end of school year stuff, so back to working on Acoustic Music TV.

We have several new chord sheets coming, a banjo sheet in G tuning, a guitar blank chord sheet and a mandolin blank chord sheet. With the blank chord sheets you can write in your chords for a great way to jot down a song when you are in a hurry.

We also have a new AMTV show coming with the music of Gerry Ryan, finishing up editing should be soon. Thanks everyone for all the great comments and look for the Banjo sheet shortly.

Chord Chart for Mandolin Two Finger G Chords

We received a great email the other day from one of our readers. It had to do with a different 2 finger chord for the (1) One chord for the key of G on the mandolin, the G Chord. This one using the middle two strings, the D and the A strings. I haven’t used this position before but found that it gives a nice bright sound. I often use the lower position for the verses and the higher position for the chorus. This position like the others is movable up and down the fretboard. I think it is brighter sounding because the notes are reversed with the B on the higher string. This fingering can be moved all over the place so try experimenting. Very cool.

Make sure to check out all of our chord and music charts by just signing up over on the right. We love comments so thank you a lot and keep them coming.

Two Finger G Chords for the Mandolin

Here is the full email, thank you Bob for the post.

"I appreciate your website with all those great guitar and mandolin chords. I have been playing fiddle for a few years and within the last year have taken up the mandolin. An old fiddler taught me the major two finger chords for the keys of G (on the two middle strings), D (on the E and A strings) and C (on the D and G strings) and I found that they transferred well to the mandolin. I will see if I can explain them to you.

The two finger G chords are found on the two middle strings; the D and A strings. To find the I (one) chord you fret the B on the A string and the G on the D string. The IV chord (or C Chord) is found by fretting the E on the D string and the C on the A string. The V (or D ) chord is found by fretting the F# on the D string and the D on the A string. If you draw this on the diagram of your mandolin fretboard you will see the pattern (the old fiddler used patterns a lot). Now, you can move that same pattern over to the A and E strings (directly across) and you have the three major chords for the D scale. Move it over to the G and D strings and you have the major C chords.

And, if you move the G chord patterns a couple of frets toward the bridge on the same strings you have the A major chords, etc., etc. You may already be familiar with these patterns, but if you are not I want to tell you that using them is an excellent way to teach mandolin two finger chords. Once a person gets that pattern in his/her mind you can get the chords to any key.

If this is about as "clear as mud" let me know and I will try to clarify it. The old fiddler just told us and as he did I would try to draw it out roughly on a fiddle diagram. Then, I would come home and make a nice copy of it. I have given a number of people copies of my diagrams; both fiddle and mandolin players."

Bob

Blank Guitar Sheet Music Book with Staff and TAB Lines

We have been busy over here at Acoustic Music TV trying to get all of our different publications out. Our latest book is Acoustic Music TV Blank Guitar Sheet Music with Staff and TAB Lines. The book contains 100 Blank Staff and Tab pages with coil binding for easy use. The Staff and TAB lines have also been spread apart to make them easier to write your music on. Includes chord box for each measure.

AMTV Blank Guitar Sheet Music also includes at the back the AMTV Notebook Music Charts for Guitar with fingering for the basic Major, Minor and Seventh Chords. Barre Chords for the 5th and 6th strings, Arpeggio Scales, and a 1, 4, 5 Chord Progression Chart. Also included are our Major Movable Soloing Scale for Folk and Country music, and the Minor Pentatonic Movable Soloing Scale for Blues, Rock or Latin Music for any key. A great resource when you are composing or just playing music.

Our book is available for purchasing at www.lulu.com in either a coil bound version or in a pdf download version.

Blank Mandolin Sheet Music with Staff and Tab Lines

Our newest book for mandolin players. Acoustic Music TV's Blank Mandolin Sheet Music with Staff and TAB Lines. Contains 100 Blank Staff and Tab pages with coil binding for easy use and laying flat. Staff and TAB lines have also been spread apart to make them easier to write on. Includes chord box for each measure. Book also includes at the back the AMTV Notebook Music Charts for Mandolin with fingering for the basic Major, Minor and Seventh Chords, full and 2 finger. Plus Arpeggio Scales, and a 1, 4, 5 Progression Chart. A great resource when you are composing.

The book can be purchased from www.lulu.com in either a coil bound version or in a pdf version

Inside Blank Mandolin Staff and TAB Page

Inside page from our newest book Blank Mandolin Sheet Music with Staff and TAB Lines, available on www.lulu.com and shortly from our AMTV Book Store