Any mando superstisions?

[mandodebbie]

I have a superstision. One has to poke their fingers when changing mandolin strings. When I last changed the strings on my old $150.00 Hyburn, I was quite proud that I had shed no blood. Then the instrument "died" within a week and I had to buy a new mando. (I was ready to upgrade, anyway. And, yes, the Korean made Samick is just fine.) I just changed my mando strings yesterday, as my brother brought me some Martin Bluegrass strings from Missouri, as he just got married in Bardadoes last Tuesday.I live in Manitoba .(Yeah, I know that doesn't any make sense. My family's weird.) I did poke my finger and grumble, but now my mando sounds great! What a difference new strings make! Who else out there who has little mandolin related traditions?

[junksuph]

It's bad luck to play your mandolin in the shower....

[stevem]

Great topic. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Here are mine:
1)Don't polish or clean mando very often. #A dirty mando is easier to play.
2)Don't play mando with shirt off. #Belly oils are poisonous to the finish.
3)Well sniffed mandos have richer, sweeter tones.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Step on a crack, break your mando's back http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Daniel

[mandopete]

Well, not sure if this is a superstition or just plain wierd, but I noticed that the mandolin always seems to sound better when it's "warmed up". I attributed this to getting some warm air inside the instrument. So now I will blow some warm air (and brother I've got plenty of it!) into the f-hole before playing.

It always get a few strange stares too!

[John Flynn]

Never play naked. Especially gigs.

[mandopete]

Too late!

[mandodebbie]

junksuph.... Don't play your mando in the shower especially if it is an electric mandolin... But that's just common sense. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Ted Eschliman]

I refuse to play in the same room with a Circus Clown. They just give me the creeps.
I think it stems back to my youth when my father took me to the circus, and a clown shot him...

[straight-a]

"Don't polish or clean mando very often."

I know someone here that resembles that remark!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif


ALWAYS play a Monroe lick first thing when you take it out of the case. It's like the key to the ignition.

[PlayerOf8]

Never play love songs to your girlfriend when you wife is around.
Never make fun of a nun -- gopes for all instruments.

GM

[Slim Pickins]

I never allow my black cat to sleep in my mando case.

[FlawLaw]

Always wear boxers when playing a mandolin with your kilt on.

[barricwiley]

mandodebbie, How does a mandolin "die"?
I just might find a superstition in the answer!
Richard http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mikeomando]

1. Never let someone play your favorite mandolin if they look like they can run faster than you.

2. Never leave your favoite mando out of its case unless it is actually in your hands.

3. Never get into a cutting contest with someone with the nickname 'fast fingers'. It's okay to get into a kissing contest with someone nicknamed 'sugar lips', though.

[JD Cowles]

someone mentioned blowing into their f-holes (that looks even weirder in print) to warm up their mando. i absolutely have to thwunk on a D chop chord for a few minutes until my mando wakes up. sounds weird, but its the best way to get us both warmed up. my wife can now mimic a D chop chord (and often does to poke fun at me). if i start off a session any other way, it just doesn't sound the same.

now is that weirdness or superstition?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[tree]

I keep a couple of rattlesnake rattles inside my mando, 'cause WSM did ('cause his Uncle Pen kept one in his fiddle). #Gives my chop a little zing, like a tambourine. #Especially when I do a 360 flying windmill. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #

I ALWAYS keep it latched in the case when it's not in my hands.

[Santiago]

A stitch in time saves my F9.

[mandroid]

Triskamandodecaphobia, fear of the 13th mandolin. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Ken Sager]

I always put on my pants first, then my shoes.

[mandodebbie]

Gee whillikers, Ken! It's great to know you not only wear pants, but shoes as well! I have noticed that the avoiding of nakedness whilst playing mando in public seems to be most common superstition on this thread. (However, you could always forgo the shoes if you attend a very informal Bluegrass jam.) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Pedal Steel Mike]

Never play naked. Especially gigs.
Somebody I know once did a gig at a nudist camp.

[TommyK]

I always put on my pants first, then my shoes.
Small world! Me too!

[TommyK]

Never play naked. Especially gigs.
Somebody I know once did a gig at a nudist camp.
Guess'n you could then leave the strap in the case, huh?

[mandobando]

I play really badly. I started off playing that way and I just don't like change.

[Ken Sager]

Gee whillikers, Ken! #It's great to know you not only wear pants, but shoes as well! #I have noticed that the avoiding of nakedness whilst playing mando in public seems to be most common superstition on this thread. (However, you could always forgo the shoes if you attend a very informal Bluegrass jam.) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
I should have clarified that WHEN I wear pants, I first put on my pants, then my shoes.

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

Today's my birthday so I'm wearing my favorite birthday suit and best shoes. I played a gig at lunch, too. But I was wearing pants. You know the routine by now.

Love to all,
Ken

[billkilpatrick]

mandodebbie - i asked my charango buddies your question about superstition concerning their instrument. someone from mexico said that he too kept the rattle of a rattlesnake in his charango and both he and a nice lady from argentina repeated the generally held superstitious belief that if you leave your instrument in the open air for any length of time - without supervision, so to speak - it will find a new owner ...

[elenbrandt-redux]

I always save the first set of strings from any new mandolin -- kind of like pre-bronzed baby shoes.....

[irishlass]

I smudge my mandos from time to time with sage & cedar, keep a small quartz crystal inside the accessory compartment of the gigbag,and expose them to the rays of the full moon when the spirit moves me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Links]

Never let your mandolin know that you are afraid of it!

[mandomadman]

[QUOTE]Never let your mandolin know that you are afraid of it!


That is so true. Once they smell fear the tone and playability decreases dramaticaly!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandodebbie]

[QUOTE] Never let your mando know you are afraid of it.
Hmmm... When I bought my second mando in March I was afraid of "killing" it like the first piece of junk..er... inexpensive, poorer quality instrument that died in my arms. ( I will explain. After the bridge was re-set, and re-set, and re-set, and the keys could no longer keep the strings in tune - and those kept breaking and breaking - I knew the beast had expired. It now hides behind my family pictures on a high shelf. And it has new strings I can borrow for my new one. I still handle my new Samick mando like a delicate infant, afraid it will "explode" as one well meaning Mandocafe member warned me about in reference to mandos made in Korea. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif