Keith Harris leads subtly but unerringly to a rational understanding of what works and doesn't work – and why – in mandolin playing. His approach is empirical: he sticks to things which can be observed. And in fact, his book consists mainly of the tools needed to carry out the observations and draw one’s own conclusions.

By means of carefully planned guidelines, the book presents uniquely competent basic information on essentials such as
posture and holding the instrument
the relationship between arm, hand and fingerboard
the conscious use of natural forces like gravity
how to use the plectrum to produce optimal sounds
and lots more.

The concept of efficiency underlies every activity: how to get the best possible result in the easiest possible way.

Far from being dogmatic, the author accompanies the reader as an equal, searching for a deeper appreciation of each issue in such a way that in the end, one almost has the feeling of being able to answer the questions by oneself. That is a very high level of teaching.

My bottom line: every mandolin player should own a copy of The Mandolin Game and study it word by word.

Prof. Robert A. Margo, Boston University.