Another newbie

[DavidF]

Hi everyone,

My name's David and I started learning to play mandolin about four months ago. Had to stop for a while due to an accident with my mando but I'm back at it now. I've been lurking for a little while now and really appreciate all the good info found here.

I don't have any experience playing any instrument but I grew up listening to my dad, uncle, and family friends play old bluegrass stuff. Saw my uncle playing a mando years ago and fell in love with it but, really, the biggest reason I decided to learn the mando was listening to many of the newer Irish punk/rock bands, alt country, and Irish trad stuff.

I've been able to learn a few songs so far. Just strumming away at them to help learn proper right hand technique, chord changes, and timing. It's going pretty well but now I'm wanting to learn to really play. Can anyone recommend good books/CDs/DVDs that focus on music besides BG? I hope to eventually play a bit of BG but it's not my top priority.

Thanks in advance for any info and advice.

Cheers,
David

[Eric F.]

Simon Mayor comes to mind. Here's a link to his stuff at Elderly. (http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=simon+mayor&x=0&y=0)

[Mark Walker]

David #- welcome to the community.

I have a cousin who's a top-notch mandolin player, and he maintains 'The RIGHT hand rules the world.' #(Assuming you're right-handed.) #Keep that in mind with any style.

Do some searches on YouTube on Celtic mandolin, Jazz Mandolin, Butch Baldassari, Mike Compton - you should get a number of useful clips to watch and learn from. #(A search on there for 'Irish Mandolin' will land you several, like #THIS ONE (http://youtube.com/watch?v=KyHq-HE3YpM) by Tim O'Brien.) There are even some numbered mandolin lessons by Mark Conyard.

A Google search (as well as a search within the Cafe' site) will land you any number of worthwhile instructional videos, CD's and DVD's as well. # MHO, YMMV!

Good luck! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #

[Jason Nagati]

Steve Kaufman's Favorite 50 Celtic Reels isn't bad. It has a CD, which is a must for the beginner learning on his own. It's also spiral bound, so you won't need a brick to hold it open while you play. Allan Alexander has books with various types of music, such as Medieval and South American. His pieces are fairly easy. His tablature is unusual, though.

[DavidF]

Thanks for the welcome and recommendations, folks. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I'll definitely be checking into all of them.

Cheers,
David