how to start out

[Eagles1986]

Well i've just been playing mandolin for like a week. I just wondered what you guys thought for beginner songs. I've just had trouble building up my speed and it's frustrating lol.


Peace,

Kevin

[Bruce Evans]

You've been playing for a whole week and you are not up to speed?

Good! If you had made it "up to speed" after a week I would have to hunt you down. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #I'm not up to speed after five years. I probably never will be. Give it some time, bro. Enjoy the trip.

Arkansas Traveler
Whiskey Before Breakfast
Flop Eared Mule
Girl I Left Behind Me
Gary Owens
Etc., etc.

[John Flynn]

I agree with the above. As the saying goes, "Make haste slowly." Learn to play tunes right, until you can do them "in your sleep," at a moderate pace. The speed will come out of that.

Some even easier tunes:
> Cluck Old Hen
> Shortnin' Bread
> Old Joe Clark
> Angeline the Baker

That should keep you busy for week two!

[babymedic]

Don't forget Red Haired Boy!! I've been playing for two months, and have got that down pat.

[peterbc]

And Soldiers Joy! I remember when I first started... The first month was hard from me, not having a stringed instrument background, I had no calluses and nothing sounded good. Then one day things started falling into place and it was like magic (and more addictive than heroin...) Have fun!

Peter