Good intermediate level for classical

[Eric Howard]

Years ago I had been very interested in classical music for mandolin. After letting my mandolin gather dust for over a decade, I've gotten it back out. The interest in classical music has also re-awakened, and I've been trying to blow the rust off some the more interesting pieces.

My mandolin is an f-style. Is using that for classical committing some kind of faux pas? What would be a good intermediate-level mandolin to use for the genre?

[vkioulaphides]

Hello, Eric, and welcome among us.

While I (for "cultural" reasons, let us say) play bowlbacks exclusively, there is really NO reason to think that any type of mandolin is "wrong", or "inappropriate" for any given style of music. If you are happy with your current instrument, stick with it, at least for now. Beyond that, I suspect that many of us here would have a bit or two of friendly advice... ;)

Cheers,

Victor

[Martin Jonas]

Nothing wrong with playing classical repertoire on an F-style, that's what Lloyd Load designed the F-5 for before the bluegrass crowd took them to heart. Quite a few pros do still play classical repertoire on F-styles, although it is fair to say they tend to be crossover artists to some extent: check out Simon Mayor, Evan Marshall, Chris Thile or David Grisman.

The most widely-used type of instrument in classical playing has always been the bowlback, and there is also a fairly wide use of various types of flattops. Both of these sound very different from a carved archtop with f-holes, but that's no reason not to use an archtop. In good time, you may want to explore bowlbacks, or flattops, but I would suggest what you have is perfectly good to get you back into practice.

Martin

Edit: My message crossed over with Victor's, which said much the same thing. Apologies for the duplication.

[Mandule]

I find I have to use my right pinky to keep my bowlback from sliding up while I'm playing. If I'm not careful, it looks like I'm playing a dobro :P What are some ways to combat the tendencies of bowlbacks to flip up while you're playing?

[joebrent]

First, either use a footstool for your right foot, or cross your right leg over your left. This will get the instrument up into a comfortable position in the crook of your right elbow, so you can have fewer moving parts when you play. Next, get one of those beaded rubber place mats that you see sometimes on picnic tables and cut it into a square that will fit comfortably on your right thigh. Putting the instrument on this while you play will prevent it from slipping around. You see classical guitarists doing this same thing sometimes.

[John Zimm]

I play almost exclusively classical and tamburitza music on my f-style. I really love how the music sounds my f-style, although I do go roaming around the internet looking for bowlbacks from time to time. Both the bowlback and the f-style sound great and they sound very different, so either will do, although this could be a good opportunity to get another mandolin. :)

-John.

[vkioulaphides]

either will do, although this could be a good opportunity to get another mandolin.

What a PERFECT bit of advice! :) Of course! Whenever folks get into all sorts of (lame, IMHO) arguments about "which type of mandolin is best", invariably spoiling the mood of an otherwise cheerful, collegial forum such as this, my natural inclination is to suggest: get one of each! :)

Cheers,

Victor