mandocrucian bootcamp

[mcmando]

I just got in from a 5 1/2 hour drive, returning from Nile's Hokkanen's Mandocrucian Bootcamp-- it was well worth the drive! #Niles is one cool dude and he can play the livin' cr*p out of a mandolin. #

We started on Sunday afternoon, and pretty much worked straight through until noon today. #My fingers are sore but I learned a heck of alot-- thank God for TI strings and for the minidisk recorder!

The instruction was tops but I also enjoyed all of the fine folks who were in attendance. #We had a couple of late night jams that were a real hoot! Thanks to those who hung out 'til the wee hours-- you know who are-- it was great fun! #(Steph's Sean Connery imitation is "spot on"-- I guess I should say "shpot- on"!)

Niles and his wife Debra did a set for us and they are mega-talented. #Don Kawalek (Luthier here on the MC) was there and displayed a collection of truly amazing instruments he's built.

All-in-all, it was a great experience. #The only problem is this: I contracted a raging case of MAS! #I got it bad. #There was #a guy from Washington (state) who sat right behind me playing a mando that had a killer tone... I foresee an oval hole Weber in my future. #My wife will be furious.

Thanks especially to Niles and also to Lance (a great guy-- Lance don't forget to send flowers to your wife, and remember no occasion is necessary) for putting together such a great workshop, and to all those in attendance for making it such fun. #Y'all are the best!

Matt

[mcmando]

Bumpin this to the top again-- if you haven't spent any time with Niles, you're missin out!

[Sailermando]

Greetings,

Yes folks, if you can ever swing it, by all means go to this gathering of like minded mando freaks. It's a great fun to meet people from all over the country and experience the finer points of this little 8 string instrunent.

Hats off to Lance, Don, Niles & Debbie. Great host& instructors - and a killer concert the last nite. "Highway to Hell" - on mando and accordian...who'd a thunk??

My check's in the mail. I've signed up for the May workshop. See ya there!!
Jack

[Hoovetone]

Did you get to see him play with truck lug nuts on his fretting fingers? He truly is the ambassador of mandolin.

[mcmando]

Lug nuts! No way! We didn't get to see that but you can bet that'll be my request if I can make it to the May workshop.

[Steph]

I can only agree with everything that's been said already in this thread.....
Niles - I can now play my first bluegrass tune - but only as a hornpipe or in Greek rembetika style - I'll be back for more.
Don - despite a crippling affliction (let's just say Imodium helped!) he kept going and very kindly shared all his single malt with us - into the wee hours as mcmando said - the Sean impersonations get easier after a few drams.
Lance - kept the whole thing going, made sure the hot sauce was plentiful and the bedding almost soft!

Highlights for me - Don sending every goose in VA wild trying to get his Irish pipes to behave and the Niles and Debbie set, when Niles is doing the teaching exercises you know he can play the mandolin - when he is playing music, awesome.

All in all a great time, it was my second visit and it won't be be my last.

[dudlebug23]

Agreed Steph! And thanks again for sharing those Celtic CD's! We had an awesome time and since it was my first experience with an actual first class instructor, it was worth 10 times what I paid to go. The late night jams were awesome, and I've already learned Old Joe Clark in a minor key. If you ever meet Niles, ask to hear his rendition of Jimi Hendrix tunes on mando. I swear he was channeling him on that thing. It sounded exactly like Jimi, not Niles on an F-4! I can't make it back in May, but you can bet I'll be at other future camps, hopefully in the coming year. Thanks to Niles, Lance, and Don the luthier. I WANT TO BUILD AN OCTAVE SOON!!!

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