Mandolin teaching Manuals

[frickengruvin]

Well, I'm looking at picking up a mandolin (actually have a friend who has a friend who has built many, and is now looking to sell some). I would like some advice on a good manual on learning how to play, tuning etc....Also the instrument I am currently trying (an f body style) has strings that are looped on the bridge end instead of having the string wrapped around a ball. Is this standard? I haven't shopped for mandolin strings either-can someone offer a good outlet for string purchase, and what strings are the best to use-soundwise and longevity? Thanks for your insight!

[hank]

Well, I'm looking at picking up a mandolin (actually have a friend who has a friend who has built many, and is now looking to sell some).

I would like some advice on a good manual on learning how to play, tuning etc....I would go to mandolincafe.com

There is a wealth of resources there. I learned mandolin primarily be handling/playing and listening to bluegrass music. There are many resources such as videos and CD's available these days.

Also the instrument I am currently trying (an f body style) has strings that are looped on the bridge end instead of having the string wrapped around a ball. Is this standard? Yes, looped ends are normal on an f-style body tailpiece.

I haven't shopped for mandolin strings either-can someone offer a good outlet for string purchase, and what strings are the best to use-soundwise and longevity? I use a variety of strings with 13 guage at the high E string. You can purchase them at any local music store. John Pearse, Gibson, and D'Addario are in my music room right now. All are good.

Thanks for your insight!

hank

[bluespckr]

There's a guy in Australia that I connected with over on the Les Paul Forum about a year or more ago, and he does some mandolin playing (when he's not banging on his electrics). He's been after me to try a mandolin, and I have to confess, I've got the urge to do it, but don't have a clue where to start (inlcuding what would be a good make/model to play) ...

Let me know how it goes with you.

[hank]

Take a look at the Chinese Eastman line of mandolins. I own an 815 model that very, very good.

Go to: www.eastmanstrings.com

[bluespckr]

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded the catalog and will check them out later.

[sliding-tom]

Thanks for that link to mandolincafe, hank! Anything else for learning on the internet that you could recommend?

[hank]

sliding-tom: With regard to mandolins, I'd say you could find a lot of links at the mandolincafe site. It depends upon the style of music that you're interested and what's available for mando out there. With bluegrass music, you can find a lot of resources. I can't speak for other applications. :)

[frickengruvin]

Thanks for the insight! I did downloads several files from the mandolin cafe sight.

I'm pretty fortunate in terms of what mandolin I purchased. A friend of a friend was a luthier ( he passed away some years back), and his wife offered me a chance to purchase one or two of them...

I have purchase an fbody, and am looking at another. The first f body I purchased is out getting set up now, and I am waling away on another for the time being....

I did have the opportunity to compare the one I bought against some Alvarez, Washburn and Weber instruments ranging in price from $700 to $3500 and the one I bought smokes all of them in both playability, sound, and price for that matter. I'm really looking forward to learning some tunes!

[sliding-tom]

Got my reso mandolin out and practiced a little more. Best thing: I haven't forgot what I had learned/found before. On the Gibson site there is an excerpt from Steve James's DVD "Blues mandolin" that gave me a few valuable tips, guess I'll have to get that. I'm trying to learn blues mandolin - I dig Bluesgrass but I don't think I'll ever be good enough to play that style and besides there's no Bluegrass players here in Germany.:ha!

[Rockabilly69]

Screw the manual, just learn every cool lick you know on guitar upside down.
You'll be rocking that mando in no time:dude

Dan

[sliding-tom]

Cool - thanks for the heads up, Dan!:)

[Rockabilly69]

Hey Tom,

I posted some Mandolin songs on my site, and "The Sound" should be up your alley as it is resonator and mandolin. Check it out!

http://www.myspace.com/danielweldonsongs

[sliding-tom]

Hi Dan - I like it! Your other stuff,too. "Down The Brazzos" has kind of an eerie, spooky atmosphere to it!

[Rockabilly69]

Hey Tom,

Down The Brazzo's is a homemade diddley bo. My partner Brad really makes some good ones, but the one I used on this song is my favorite.

Dan