View Full Version : Mandosmiley's technique
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 8:59am
I have just noticed something that has quite sadly not yet been addressed here on the Cafe.
Our good friend Mandosmiley ( http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif ) has awful technique! He is never going to get anywhere with a right hand like that, and now that I look at him again, I'm not sure if his hands are even properly coordinated. We ought to set straight his practice habits before it is too late for him--or worse yet, before he has a negative influence on too many new players!
Am I the only one worried about this problem?
...a textbook case of repetitive stress syndrome, if ever I saw it.
The problem is that he will probably be successful among certain segments of the market because he plays FAST and smiles while he does it.
He is a handsome devil, isn't he?
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 9:06am
It is all the sadder when they are so happy and blissfully unaware of their mistake!
Let's start a right hand technique rehabilitation camp for mandolin players. Mandosmiley can be the first customer and we'll send him on a special scholarship.
Jason Holmes
Dec-17-2007, 9:53am
If Mandosmiley is gonna go all willy nilly like that, perhaps he should try it on a banjo.
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 9:55am
Looks like he's got pretty good banjo technique right? Or is there such a thing?
Actually I'm not sure if he's playing a mandolin at all, looks more like a cardboard box with a stick attached...this might be a problem that needs to be solved before his technique can be addressed.
Ted Eschliman
Dec-17-2007, 9:57am
MandoSmiley's take is similar to your typical electric guitar player's. Technique is nothing; it's all about distortion pedals and facial expression.
http://jazzmando.com/images/Msmiley.gif
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 10:00am
MandoSmiley's take is similar to your typical electric guitar player's. Technique is nothing; it's all about distortion pedals and facial expression.
I don't know about you guys, but that's my approach to mandolin...
Curtis
Dec-17-2007, 10:19am
With repeated eighth notes like that he must be playing a bluegrass solo.
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 10:25am
I just noticed something...Mandosmiley seems, ah, more musical in Ted's posts...but his technique is still awful...what does this mean I wonder. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
EDIT: He also appears to be playing syncopated rhythm for Ted.
Peter Hackman
Dec-17-2007, 10:34am
I have just noticed something that has quite sadly not yet been addressed here on the Cafe.
Our good friend Mandosmiley ( http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif ) has awful technique! #He is never going to get anywhere with a right hand like that, and now that I look at him again, I'm not sure if his hands are even properly coordinated. #We ought to set straight his practice habits before it is too late for him--or worse yet, before he has a negative influence on too many new players!
Am I the only one worried about this problem?
I'm sorry but the undisputed authority on right hand technique is not you, but "neptune". Or maybe I'm just blinded by his effortless pedagogy.
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 10:49am
I'm sorry but the undisputed authority on right hand technique is not you, but "neptune". Or maybe I'm just blinded by his effortless pedagogy.
Maybe Mandosmiley was blinded too.
Wait...are you saying my pedagogy is not effortless? I am reminded of The Magic Mountain...
JeffD
Dec-17-2007, 11:08am
I have just noticed something that has quite sadly not yet been addressed here on the Cafe.
Our good friend Mandosmiley ( http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif ) has awful technique! #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
You gotme laughing so hard I snorted my coffee.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 11:20am
Laughter? Are you implying this is a joke? I'm just trying to do Mandosmiley a good turn here and fix his problems so he'll be a better player in the long run.
jasona
Dec-17-2007, 11:21am
One thing in mandosmiley's favour...his left hand is impeccable!
Alex Fields
Dec-17-2007, 11:24am
Impeccable? It looks like he's playing two different notes and just sliding back and forth to avoid using the pinky! To give him the benefit of the doubt, though, I can only see his hand from the top...maybe he's just practicing his shifting...
miked500
Dec-17-2007, 11:24am
man, we'll do anything except actually work!!! (myself included, typing this from my office!):p
There's gonna be some serious wear and tear on that mando if he ever decides to list it in the classifieds...buyer beware!
all the fret wear will be on the low frets...
JEStanek
Dec-17-2007, 1:36pm
Alex,
Now your going to make Bill Bussman feel bad. #This is one of his creations.... #That's a mando!
http://www.zianet.com/bussmann/fun/IMG1.jpg
Style and technique mean nothing if you can make yourself happy...
Jamie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
mythicfish
Dec-17-2007, 1:41pm
<Now your going to make Bill Bussman feel bad. This is one of his creations.... That's a mando!>
Somewhere out there ... there are 25 Montechristos looking for a home.
mandolirius
Dec-17-2007, 2:50pm
Technique be damned, Mandosmiley's one of my favourite pickers. I've got all his stuff. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Jerry Byers
Dec-22-2007, 8:35am
Here is a more modern Mandosmiley complete with a vintage F5.
jmcgann
Dec-22-2007, 5:54pm
Both of the mandosmileys obviously learned from tab. No ears! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Mandolusional
Dec-22-2007, 7:00pm
I tried to address some of the issues people have brought up, here is mandosmiley with ears, a loose wrist, and occasional pinky action rather than sliding all up and down the neck on his new F5. Sure he/she plays slower now, but it's all about the tone!
Alex Fields
Dec-22-2007, 7:28pm
Mandosmiley has really improved! I'm impressed. He even seems to be crosspicking now.
Mandolusional
Dec-22-2007, 8:44pm
Yeah, it's really quite unfair, it took mandosmiley a couple dozen posts to improve pinky use, picking technique, learn crosspicking, and gain the ability to learn by ear. I've read hundreds upon hundreds of posts and haven't gotten any of that worked out! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
harleymando
Dec-22-2007, 10:19pm
i bet a lot of yall recognize his left hand technique.......
mandolirius
Dec-23-2007, 9:33pm
<Mandosmiley has really improved! I'm impressed. He even seems to be crosspicking now.>
I think I can speak for all of us when I offer my congrats to mandolusional (even if his name is perilously close to mine). As a result of his work with MandoSmiley's technique, our favourite mando-pickin' emoticon has been asked to join AK & Union Station. Way to go, MandoSmiley!
jmcgann
Dec-24-2007, 5:20am
Watch Robert Plant snatch him up to give mando lessons to Jimmy Page so they can keep JP Jones on bass!