Here's a lesson that will thrill and inspire mandolinists at all levels. Chris Thile shares his own successful formula for developing right and left hand dexterity, improving speed and accuracy, and playing with heightened musicality.

Chris launches into detailed instruction on holding the pick, correct hand position and wrist action, getting a good balance between up and down strokes and other important advice. He provides numerous warm-up exercises, scales, arpeggios and practice routines that will make all the difference as you learn to play tunes such as "Hop the Fence", "Red Haired Boy" and "Swallowtail Jig".

In learning his beautiful "Ode to a Butterfly", you'll use pull-offs, hammer-ons, position shifting, ornamentation and other important techniques to add style and character to your playing. As a bonus, you'll hear astonishing solo performances of Chris's original tunes, "When Mandolins Dream" and "Raining at Sunset".

Whatever level you are at, this DVD will provide the help you'll need to reach exciting new goals in your mandolin playing.

As for his own abilities; Chris Thile is a mandolin virtuoso of outstanding expression and originality. He won the Mandolin Championship in Winsfield, Kansas at the age of 12, was named Mandolin Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, and his first recording, "Leading Off" was named number 1 bluegrass album by the Chicago Tribune.