info on good country and rock tunes for mando

[jose250]

As I'm still only 3 months into playing my mandolin, I've come to one understanding. As much as I like bluegrass, many of the guitarists I know don't play much of it. What they do play is a lot of Hank Williams, Jr., Tom Petty, Beatles, John Prine, Willie, etc.

Issue is, how do I go about learning to jump in on these songs with them. Is there specific mando tab for these guys (I'm doubting it) or do you just use the guitar chords and incorporate it from there?

As for the lead licks, same question. Is there some tab out there or is it just learning how to translate guitar licks to mando licks?

Realize that I'm still really early in the learning stages, and I've not developed the ear or the ability to play it without some sort of guidance (tab).

I know at some point, I will get where I can just pick up and start playing along with songs, but I'm figuring it may be a while. I just know it'd really help my learning curve overall if I can play along with my friends (from a rhythm aspect and). That and I love a lot of that music, too. Be nice to incorporate the mando on it for my own personal pleasure.

Thanks, everybody.

Kelly
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I suggest, in the strongest possible terms, that you learn how to read music. Chances are there is sheet music available for every song you you want to play.

Reading music and playing by ear are NOT mutually exclusive. In fact, each skill compliments the other. Being able to read helps you play by ear better, and conversely, being able to play by ear makes you a better reader.

[jose250]

mike,

agreed, but with my job, my wife, a kid, a crazy dog, working on my MBA, owning a home that's older than my grandma, and well, you get the picture.... Right now, I don't really have the time to devote to learning how to read music. It's all about the tradeoffs. I'd rather learn to play now and read later. I appreciate the comment. I know I do need to learn, but heck, I'm only 30, I've got another 70 to do that!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

thx, everyone for the references and insight...

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Jose250,
It seems to me (since chords are chords & only the shapes change from guitar to mandolin) that you're actually asking what role you should play in the group as a mandilin player tackling folk, acoustic rock, & country music.
I have a couple of suggestions:
1) Listen to the Band. Levon Helm plays mandolin on a lot of tracks in their catalog. He'll teach you how to rock on mando ("Rag Mama Rag" comes instantly to mind).
2) Listen for mandolin in all the recordings you have. I'll bet there's some in there that you didn't notice before. For example, Bonnie Raitt's cover of "Louise" by Paul Seibel has some mando tremolo in the background.
3) Learn to play Bluegrass. Yep. Bluegrass. Because you'll learn the rhythmic role that the mandolin plays in the Bluegrass group. When you learn that role, you can then use it when and where it's necessary in other music or eschew the use of mandolin a rhythm instrument where it's appropriate. For example, Prine's "Paradise" and "Grandpa Was a Carpenter" sound great with the mando playing the up beats (as in BG), but "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" and "Sam Stone" are perhaps less suited to that style of playing.
4) This is just a matter of opinion but... Leave the guitar licks to the guitarists. The tuning and sustain differences between mandos & guitars usually render guitar licks less interesting on mandolin than on guitar. So unless the lick is integral to the song or you're doubling (or harmonizing) with a guitar player, develop your own mando-licks if one doesn't already exist.

Best,
Daniel