New player from new jersey

[alanz]

Greetings one and all.

I've never played an instrument, but there seems to be a perfect storm of events and people that has led me to my first day as a mandolin owner.

My younger son is 18 years old, and started playing guitar this past summer. #He's self teaching (the internet is good for this kind of stuff). He's playing an acoustic guitar, and recently added a hybrid... he's having a ball! #The thought of playing along with him is very attractive.

When I was ruminating over which instrument to attempt, I considered a guitar, but anyone who knows me, knows that I tend to do things just a little bit out of the norm... so the mandolin seems like a great place to start.

I did some preliminary research and thought that something along the lines of a Kentucky 254 would be a good start for me.

So yesterday he and I took a ride down to Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island... I did warn him not to drool over the guitars there too much. #

When we got there, I immediately felt comfortable with the shop and the people. #They were very patient with this absolute novice (or sub-novice). #I don't have a particular type of music in mind, my tastes are eclectic and wide ranging... it will be interesting to see how the mandolin fits in.

I held and picked a bit at several A style mandolines, but most of them sounded very bright to me (perhaps that's a good thing for playing in public, but it doesn't sit quite right for me). #Then I looked at a couple of Big Muddy mandolins and thought their sound was much much more to my liking. #So a Big Muddy M-0W followed me home (mahogany back and sides, sitka spruce front, round hole, virtually unadorned).

I picked up some extra strings, a tuner, leather mando strap, and an assortment of different pick style/sizes. While I was handling the bookkeeping, my son was delighted to be playing a 1969 C.F. Martin acoustic... not something he could do at our local GuitarCenter.

So here I sit... knowing very little, but enough to be dangerous. #I'm trying to avoid getting into some bad habits, and I thought appealing to this group could generate some interesting discussions for new players. #I'm as interested in what not to do, as in what to do.

I know some folk who have been playing mandolin for years, but I haven't started to pick their brains yet.

I'm looking for little tips to make playing easier or more enjoyable; web sites to visit; northeast events to attend, available tablature, music to listen to and learn from, etc. #Anything to help bootstrap this brand new player.

You know, all the things you wish experienced players would have told you when you started! #For example, I'm not quite sure what to look for when "picking a pick" to use. #I have no doubt that there are some mildly opinionated folk who have something to say on this little topic.

I know there are lots of folk like me out there just starting out, and although I looked around, I didn't find a good primer here on the forum.

Well, that's enough of an introduction. #I'm very much looking forward to being part of this community, and hope you'll put up with my novice questions.

[mikeross]

Welcome aboard !

I also joined Mandolin Cafe today, and already I have been given very sound advice from my new mandofraternity - sometime in the future you'll want to clean your fretboard with 0000 grade steel wool (rub lightly parallel to the frets) and a very light application of mineral oil. Don't do what I did - tape down the bridge thinking that's all you need to do to hold the bridge in it's critical place while you remove all strings and clean the fretboard. I've learned today that when you release all the tension to the bridge you are also releasing tension to the top of the mando - and it'll take about a week for your mando to recover from that, after you put strings on. In the meantime, the mando will sound rather terrible. So clean the fretrboard a little at a time, removing and replacing strings but definately not all at the same time.

Enjoy !
Mike

[Brad Weiss]

Welcome aboard, alanz. #You're already off to#an excellent start with a fine mandolin, and you've set yourself up for future MAS by perusing Mandolin Bros, to boot. #My main advice would be: get a teacher. #There's just no substitute, in my experience, for someone who has experience with instruction for pointing out bad habits and cultivating good ones. #Picks are a matter of ever shifting personal preference - I started out with a thin one, and it took me a while to get confident with a thick pick, but a thick pick is going to give you the darkest, richest tone. #Don't hold your pick too tight, that's one bit of good advice. One very general bit of advice I'd give: set yourself some goals, and apply yourself to them. Diligent practice, even short periods of time applied consistently, is the way to go. If you want some suggested starting goals: learn scales in 12 keys, and learn a bunch of chords (see "Chords") on the front page of the Cafe. #If you want more tab tunes than you can get through in several years, check this page (http://www.mandozine.com/music/zipfiles.php) out over at Mandozine.

I would tell you to have fun, but it sound like you've already got a handle on that - keep it up! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[bshpmark]

alanz: I just started playing three weeks ago and I am having a blast. I am as slow as a turtle as far as finger speed goes but I am learning. Just practice, practice, practice and you will be surprised at how fast you pick things up.

I got the Mandolin Primer for Beginners by Bert Casey. I got the book, DVD, and also the accompianment CD as well. Those 3 items make a great beginners package at least for me.

My routine consists of the following:

1. Learn the scales
2. Memorize the location of notes on the fretboard
3. Learn a new chord or two each day
4. Play a song using tabs (yes I play slowing than corn grows but my fingers get a workout)
5. Play a song using chords


Fortunately my son is a gifted guitar player so I email him when I have questions. I am 54 years old and just getting started on a string instrument.

Happy picking!

[BoneDigger]

Welcome to the board. There are quite a few of us newbies here, so you'll be right at home. I have not received bad advice from this board to-date, and I feel that this is a very intelligent and likeable community.

Congratulations on your new mandolin. I hope you'll be sitting down with your son soon and having a ball!

Todd

[Walter Newton]

Welcome to the Cafe...my piece of advice would be to make good use of the archives here and learn the ins and outs of the Search feature - you will find almost any mandolin related topic you can imagine has been covered here before (often many times - like picks!) and you can learn quite a bit digging through previous topics.

As far as other websites try mandozine.com for tabs...the mp3 page here at the Mandolin Cafe for free music to listen to...homespuntapes.com for instructional DVDs...musictheory.net for basic music theory...frets.com for info about instrument construction, maintenence and repair...and don't be afraid to learn to read music, it's not as hard as many seem to think and opens up a practically unlimited world of resources - especially important if you have eclectic interests.

[arbarnhart]

You have already found the mothership; this site probably has about 90% of all the mandolin discussions on the internet. Make sure you go up to the home page here and check out all of what's available.

[otterly2k]

Welcome newbies.

Alan - you made a very good choice with the Big Muddy. You let your ears guide you, and the tone of the instrument, rather than the bling of decorative details.
These are very well made instruments with a reputation for being great sounding, easy to play, and a very good value for the price. Mike Dulak (who makes 'em) has a strong customer service orientation, and stands behind his products.

You found the right place for mando related information - get to know the nooks and crannies of this site. It is a very civilized place with many helpful people... a community in the best sense of the word.

re: picks - the good news is that they are mostly very inexpensive. Try a bunch and see what sounds and feels good to you... it's all about preference. In general, the thinner bendy ones will have a thinner, clickier, brighter sound. The thicker ones will give you more power and volume and less click. Different styles of music may call for different picks and the resulting tones. Truly, though, at this stage... find what shape feels comfortable and what thickness and material sounds good to you.

[JEStanek]

Welcome aboard everyone.
Also with picks, try different parts for strumming. Most picks have a pointer point and a couple less pointy more rounded ones. Try the same pick but with the more or less pointy side to see what sounds better too. One last thing you can try to help hold the pick a little better, don't be afraid to drill 3 tiny holes though the center. These help with the grip.

Jamie

[mandolinny]

Good Luck with your mandolin. I was fortunate to receive a mandolin for a Christmas gift from a new love in my life that recognized my adoration for the instrument during a trip to the Bean Festival in Mountain View Arkansas. The mandolin has always been my favorite instrument. I'm 47 years old, and have never played an instrument if you don't count the piano lessons I hated as a young child. I have been lurking on the board for a few weeks now and enjoy the posts. I just started lessons last week and was exhilirated to the point of tears when I was finished. I have a great desire to learn and appreciate all the little tidbits of information I've gathered from the board. My instructor started me out with scales and a couple of chords. I had a few instruction books already so I have taught myself a couple of very simple children songs. I don't have a natural ability, or an ear for music, but I think that I can learn to play technically. My fingers are really sore.....lol I think the only problem I'm going to encounter is that I don't want to do anything else but play the mandolin!!!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Peace

[fiddlingdan]

Welcome to all the new people, hope this is the start of something great for you, learn all you can, work on learning the basic chords and find some jam sessions and go join in. Most fun you will ever have, people will show you things and teach you at them. When you get a chance go to this website and check it out, lot of the same people on it.
www.musicmoose.org
I think you will enjoy it also, the lessons are great and the people really nice.
Keep on playing
Dan

[jim_n_virginia]

Good choice in a mandolin! My first REAL mandolin was a Mid-MO which was what the Muddy used to be (same builder different company) and was a great mandolin to learn on.

Someone suggested a teacher to begin with and and so do I. A teacher is invaluable to get you started with the basics. It is possible to learn the basics without a teacher but takes longer for most. Homespun Tapes www.homespuntapes.com
has a lot of good instructional material.

Once you get the basics down (know how to tune, know some 2 finger chords and understand picking up/down etc.) may I suggest that if your son plays guitar and you the mandolin that you learn some fiddle tunes and switch back and forth on the picking, that is one plays the chords while the other picks out the tune and switch back and forth. It's very easy using tab.

I warn you though fiddle tunes are addictive and a great way to keep your fingers limber. Look at the Cafe homepage and look under TAB and you'll find a ton of tunes.

Start out very, very slowly and you'll get faster and faster as time goes by. A metronome helps if you need help with timing. Here is one online for free www.metronomeonline.com

Good Luck!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Dave Reiner]

I'm looking for little tips to make playing easier or more enjoyable; web sites to visit; northeast events to attend, available tablature, music to listen to and learn from, etc. #Anything to help bootstrap this brand new player. #
Hi Alan-

It seems like just last week that we were talking about you and the mandolin, and here you are zooming along #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

One recommendation is to attend Mandolin Camp North (http://www.mugwumps.com/mcn.html) in Groton, MA, April 25-27. #Great teachers (Reischman, Zenkl, Surette, DelGrosso, Gorman, Zimmerman, ...) fine workshops and classes, jams at various speeds and in different styles (old-time, bluegrass, Irish,...), excellent and supportive learning for beginners and other levels.

Best wishes,
Dave

Disclosure: I also teach at MCN.

[sean808080]

i can second dave's recommendation for mandolin camp north. i've been there two years in a row and they provide all levels of mandolin player with great opportunities for playing and listening to some great music.

another thing to consider is attending a bluegrass slow jam. the site for this group here in nj is at

http://www.newjerseybluegrass.org/slow_jam.htm

i attend when i can and also enjoy the slow jam approach to getting people more familiar with their instruments.

good luck!
sean

[alanz]

Dave,

You were part of the "perfect storm" I mentioned in my original post. Attending MCN is very likely for me (I've been discussing it on and off with my bride for a week or so), depending on time off scheduling.

I'm at a very comfortable place in my mandolin playing. I can't play yet, I'm not sure what I want to play, and have nowhere to go but up < s >.

[fatt-dad]

Dear Alanz: Welcome! I'm not sure about the advice to put oil or to otherwise use steel wool on your fretboard. I've owned many mandolins and have never done this. One good site for instrument advice is www.frets.com (http://www.frets.com/). Click around there and you'll get first-rate information on mandolins, guitars, etc.

Another great site is www.mandozine.com (http://www.mandozine.com/home.php). Here's what I like about mandozine.com: They have a whole ton of "TabEdit" files. To use "TabEdit" files you have to install the TabEdit Viewer (http://www.tabledit.com/?AfID=19329) That link will take you to the TabEdit download site. TabEdit files give you either standard notation or tabulature, but also allow the computer to play a tinney version of the music. This helps me as I can hear it first and then after the tune is in my head, use the music to learn it. I've learned scores of tunes from tabedit files!

There is no substitute for playing with folks. Maybe you can find a group of old-time musicians in the area. Old-time music includes many of the fiddle tunes that form the basis of alot of bluegrass. Then again, you can just learn and enjoy Old-time music whether you want to ultimately play bluegrass or not.

Have fun and good luck with the teenager - ha.

f-d

[alanz]

F-D,

I installed TabEdit Viewer yesterday... it looks like a fine tool to get me started.

As for having good luck with my teenager, he's very supportive (then again, I helped out with his guitar habit)

[Frank T.]

Welcome! I, too, was at Mandolin Brothers on Saturday drolling over some mandolins and likewise made the trek from NJ. Good luck, start with simple TABs... and keep at it every day...

[alanz]

By the way, I've been the most non-musical member of my family.
My bride used to play guitar when she was a teen, but has forgotten it all, and is considering learning again.

My older son is an early career actor (www.ScottZenreich.com (http://www.scottzenreich.com)), so we've been hip deep in musical theater for the past dozen or so years.

In addtion, and my wife and I are involved in our local theater here in northern NJ (www.bcplayers.org (http://www.bcplayers.org)) where I do photography and she does set decor, so we're around performers all the time.

My own interests are pretty wide ranging. #I'll put some mandolin photos on my personal web (www.zenreich.com (http://www.zenreich.com)) site ASAP

[alanz]

I just created a little web page (http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/music/mandolin.htm) on my personal site that duplicates some of the information found in my first post in this thread. #

I also included my very first photo of the Big Muddy... it's likely that there will be many more over time.

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/music/images/thumbnails/mandolin1x6_small.jpg

[Jim MacDaniel]

Congrats on your purchase, as well on living so close to Mandolin Brothers -- which will be really convenient for you once MAS sets in. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

One thing you might want to locate is music for mandolin and guitar -- whether it be in the form of CD's, songbooks, tab, and/or sheet music -- that will inspire you both. In what sort of music do you and he share a common interest?

[JeffD]

Welcome to our all absorbing obsession.

What kind of music do you like? For just about every kind of music there is a mandolin presence. #Don't limit your mandolin explorations by what kind of music you think "should be" played on the thing. The little buggers can do just about anything, and probably are.

[Laura Leder]

Welcome to all of the new players!
You have, indeed, found the place to be
to learn everything possible about mandolins!
You'll also meet nice, helpful folks here.

Mandolin Brothers is great, but very dangerous
for me! When I go in there, it's like entering
a time warp...I can easily spend hours in there
without realizing it!

Laura

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Santiago]

If you're a newby and you found your way to Mandolin Brothers, you're smart enough to figure a lot of this out for yourself. It's pretty intuitive, but the folks here have an amazingly deep knowledge of surprisingly little quirky things you just wondered about. Don't be afraid to ask.

[mandolinny]

~~~scratches chin and ponders--"What is MAS and do I have it? hehe

[Brad Weiss]

~~~scratches chin and ponders--"What is MAS and do I have it? #hehe
That'd be "Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome.

And you know you've got it... Some admit it, some won't
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

[rjs]

I had sent Alan a couple of "beginers tips" that are
in many of the fine sets of instructional material.
He asked if I would add them to this thread so here they are!

Picks: Every mandolin I have played "sounded best" with a different pick...
I have played around until I found a combination hat played well and
sounded good. Up to a point, thicker is better. At first thick picks are
going to be much harder to play with. Start with something in the
.8 -> 1mm range but don't be afraid to try thicker. I currently use
1.5 -> 2mm depending on the mando.

Picking hand: Initially learn to pick DUDU (down up, down up). For a 4/4 song that
would be counted 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and , you would pick down on counts
1,2,3 and 4, and use an upstroke on all of the "and"s. After you have this
beaten into your mind/muscles, you can branch out.

Metronome/Play along tracks: Use these! If you play in time, everyone around you
will like you. If your time varies, you will get dirty glances... On the same topic:
practice a song at a speed where you can play the most difficult part....
Start playing an exercise/song slowly. When you can play it perfectly, turn the
metronome up and work it at that speed... Continue till you get it as fast
as you want it to be. If you try to "learn" it at full speed, you will "learn" your
mistakes...

[ApK]

Hey there from another Jerseyan.

If you know how to make a G, C and D chord (I found a great jump-start with this Two Finger Chord chart (http://mandolincafe.com/two.html)) then you're ready for a world of music.

You probably want to check out the BOTMA Slow Jam (http://www.newjerseybluegrass.org/slow_jam.htm)

I haven't been yet myself, only to their summer 'pickin' in the park' jams, but it's a nice group.

And if you feel like wading in among guitar players, there's also my own jam (http://www.folkjam.org/group/us/new-jersey/fords/jersey-jam).

Have you checked out the Bluegrass Jamming DVD (http://www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-Jamming-Nick-Forster/dp/B00007EMTA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1201013015&sr=8-1) from Homespun Tapes?

ApK

[alanz]

I've been having a great time sort of ramping up to play. So far, I've only picked a little on the mandolin.

There seem to be three distinct ways of documenting the music.
1. Chord charts (show the finger position on each fret on each string, and which strings to strum)
2. Tablature (shows fret position as a number on each string, but no fingering information, and not consistant about rythym information)
3. Standard notation (shows notes and rythym on lines, but no fingering information)

Of course, there's also the "by ear" school... where you don't read much of anything.
Does this seem about right? I can see value in all the approaches.

[bowbag]

Hey alanz, I'm just starting too AND from Jersey, what a co-inky dink!

I think you got it spot on for the different ways of documenting music. I've been playing the fiddle for a few years now so I can get with standard notation just fine.

Where are ya from in Jersey? I'm in way north east, almost in pa. That Mando Bro's place sounds pretty interesting but statin island isn't very convenient for me.

[alanz]

bowbag,

I'm in Oradell (northeastern NJ, near Paramus, in Bergen County)... 8 miles northwest of the George Washington bridge, which puts me about 15 miles from midtown Manhattan.

[Aran]

Welcome to the wonderfull world of mandolins and the cafe...

Only advice I can offer (there are more worthy contributors on this forum) is to play with other people whenever possible. It has really helped me on this excellent journey.

Hooray for mandolins http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif