China Grove: Mandolin TAB
12 Great Songs from Classic to Modern Rock
Item: 00-PS-0011867
$4.99
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Description
Rock and Pop Mandolin is designed for your total enjoyment. Each song uses the original guitar parts arranged for the mandolin. Titles: Beat It (Michael Jackson) * China Grove (The Doobie Brothers) * Do You Want to Know a Secret (The Beatles) * Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) * How You Remind Me (Nickelback) * Jumpin' Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones) * Layla (Unplugged version) (Eric Clapton) * Lyin' Eyes (Eagles) * Panama (Van Halen) * Running on Empty (Jackson Browne) * Stayin' Alive (Bee Gees) * Wild Night (Van Morrison).
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Additional Details
Series:
Just for Fun
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
64
SKU:
00-PS-0011867
More about this title
About the Composer: Tom Johnston
Tom Johnston is the guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter for The Doobie Brothers, the rock band that emerged from San Jose in the early 1970s. His songwriting shaped some of the era's most enduring rock hits, including "China Grove," which became a staple of FM radio and remains instantly recognizable across generations.
Why we love this
This collection captures the essence of what makes rock and pop irresistible on mandolin: infectious grooves, memorable melodies, and arrangements that respect the mandolin's brightness while delivering the energy of the originals. Rather than diluting these classics, the tab-based approach lets players dig straight into the riffs and solos they know and love.
What to expect
Pure fun. You're playing the exact guitar riffs and solos that defined FM radio, but the mandolin's natural brightness gives familiar material fresh air. The energy stays intact while the timbre transforms each song into something that feels both recognizable and newly discovered.
Who it's for
Mandolin players who want to play the songs they hear on classic rock and pop radio without waiting for traditional sheet music or struggling with transcription. This collection appeals equally to players picking up mandolin after years on guitar and to dedicated mandolinists ready to expand beyond bluegrass and traditional repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock into the pocket from the start. These songs live or die by their rhythmic groove, so use a metronome and nail the feel before worrying about speed.
- Lean on the recorded versions for reference. Knowing exactly how the original guitar part sits in the mix will help you voice your mandolin part confidently.
- Dampen the strings strategically to control sustain. Mandolin rings naturally, which works beautifully on sustained chords but can blur fast passages or syncopated rhythms.
- Work through the tab methodically rather than jumping to performance tempo. These arrangements use finger patterns that feel awkward at first but become second nature with deliberate practice.
How to use it
Use individual songs as performance pieces at recitals or casual jam sessions where listeners expect these titles in any form. The collection works especially well in world music or cross-genre showcases that celebrate rock's influence across instruments.
Skills your students will build
- Reading mandolin tablature fluently
- Translating guitar fingerings and positions to mandolin fretboard
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated rock grooves
- Controlling dynamics and sustain on a resonant instrument
- Recognizing and adapting lead guitar lines for melodic fretted instruments