Rediscovering the joy of the mandolin

[Geoff]

When I first started playing mandolin, my guitar virtually dissappeared for about 2 years. About 8 months ago, I bought a new guitar, an Art& Lutherie. Same thing happened to my mandolin. I was still visiting this site, but playing only guitar and the mandolin was under my bed. The last two weeks though I pulled the mandolin back out and have been playing a lot. Its been great! I definitely took a leap in these two weeks as compared to how I played before I stowed it away. I had leared tons on guitar and it feels like it translated over and helped with mandolin as well. Even though I abandoned both instuments at times Im really happy with the way things turned out. I improved dramatically on both instruments. These types of things happen to anybody else, that is long periods without even touching mandolin?

[neal]

You are now ambidextrious

[JiminRussia]

I had just the opposite experience. I put down my instruments for twelve years. When I took them up again, I had to start right from scratch. I regret haveing put them away for that long, but it did teach me a valuable lesson. Don't make work out of it. Just let it be a pleasant experience and don't try to force yourself to learn. Now, I play when I'm not too ired or when the mood strikes me. Yes, it does take a LOT longer to learn that way, but it makes it a pleasant pastime instead of a bitter medicine that you take beause you drive yourself to do so.

[harwilli55]

Yes, Geoff I have had that same experience. I play both guitar and mandolin. Often I will put one down and concentrate on the other for a while.

What I think happens and I may be wrong about this. Is when I hit a plateau in the learning curve, ie....I have reached a point where the muscle memory is static and needs time to set in. Also, Frustration sets in and creates tension which I think is inhibiting reaching the next step. So for me a little time away from either one and I come back usually surprising myself how smoothly the tune I was struggling with flows from my fingers.

Just my thoughts. Keep up the fun!!!

Harlan

[PCypert]

I know exactly what you are talking about. Had a mid mo and was playing the crud out of it. Then my wife got me a Larrivee. Mid mo started collecting dust. Caught the mando bug again and traded up to a Rigel. I posted this earlier, but the trick is to get similar instruments. I have a no-frills solid wood guitar, and pretty much the same in mando. I've kind of struck a balance.

Only thing is they have a spot on the worship team at church for a mando, no such luck for guitar. So now I'm back to showing favoritism.

I have found that going back and forth helps me progress faster on both though. Something about studying theory on mandolin helps it come through. Then I can apply it to guitar. Don't know why it won't work the other way.
Paul

[Mark Normand]

There's no doubt playing both will increase your learning greatly. Singing alone is easier with a guitar, and that makes me branch out, try things I never would otherwise. Its all fun! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[elenbrandt]

The best thing I ever did for my playing (besides buying a Brentrup -- sorry, just have to get my traditional plug in) was to take 3 months off the mandolin over 3 years ago. Sometimes you just need a time out to recharge and change your perspective (and hopefully unlearn some really bad habits, like I did.) What I do now is to switch off mandolins when I hit a stale patch.

[Geoff]

Playing guitar was great for my singing too, mnormand. Beforehand I never really did much singing at all. But guitar with vocals sounds so good (even if you have no range, like me) and I got a lot of practice with that while the mandolin was hibernating. I learned a lot of my favorite songs just so I could sing them. I havent played guitar at all for about a week now. I kind of hope that it isnt the start of another period void of guitar, but I have the feeling it wont be.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I find that the best thing for my singing is for me to play banjo . . .real loud!

[mandoaz]

Don't be afraid to compose songs (lyrics and all) with a mandolin only...(For me, at least), its unique sonic signature leads me down paths I might never travel on guitar......

[Ranger]

how about 20 years?
an ex and i broke up once. when i went back to get my stuff, alot of it was gone. including my Mando (just a pawn shop cheapie, but i was finally gettin it! lol).
just bought another Mando a couple months ago, and LOVE it!
i agree with previous poster to play around and "write your own". experiment, search, have fun...
Ranger