Where were you a year ago (mandolin speaking?)

[levin4now]

A while ago, someone posted a thread on what our mandolin goals were. I was wondering how far some of you have come in developing your mandolin playing skills, what has helped you and what has hindered etc...

Personally, I play probably a little faster, but my last year was filled with events that kept me from playing much with others and pursuing the instrument as strongly as I'd have liked to. Kaufman kamp was definitly a highlight and offered inspiration, and having just finished my Masters ought to open some opportunity.

My main concern, is that I still wouldn't have a clue where to start to build my own breaks, let alone play them in a group setting. This troubles me greatly, as I feel I may never be proficient at this beautiful addictive instrument.

[Phantoj]

A year ago, I was ten months away from buying my first mandolin.

I feel like I'm cooking pretty well... can play about ten tunes at a good tempo and can play by ear in a half-dozen keys.

[duuuude]

I'd been thinkin' about this lately and in two years I've finally gotten to where I'm comfortable in any key and anywhere on the fretboard. But then that was my personal goal, to be able to pick up a piece of music and not be intimidated by the number or types of chords and to understand "musically" where the piece is going. Being able to smoothly throw in fills & licks at random during changes was a big hurdle and made my playing just sound fuller and closer to what I'm trying to accomplish, but then I play solo quite a bit.

Going to listen to some of my early recordings and make new ones for comparison, that's always a hoot and makes ya feel like yer gettin' somewhere. It seems that the learning process becomes more mental that physical once yer fingers kinda know their way around, you can spend more time with the music than the mechanics.

[Michael H Geimer]

A year ago I wasn't really taking breaks on mandolin, and I was still playing rhythm guitar with just my thumb. I had recently come back from my first festival, and was trying to get my 'Tuesday Night Music Club' to start working in a more Bluegrass fashion with rotating breaks, and more playing by ear. I was trying to get a grip on flatpicking guitar, but could hardly sing while struggling with a plectrum.

Fast forward a year ... and we're playing low-key gigs about three or four times a month. People will sometimes comment on my mandolin playing, but it's my guitar playing and singing that seem to get all the attention (that's a little frustrating, too as I work so hard on my mandolin skills - oh well, it's nice to get noticed).

I credit our standing Tuesday night jams, and our collective willingness to get out in public to perform as often possible. IMO - nothing makes you stronger than public performance (atheletes will also tell you that competitions offer more benefits than practices, since you tend to 'dig deeper' during a game).

Last week I accepted an invitation to sit in with a Bluegrass band as their rhythm guitar (arguably the easiest role to fill in a traditional BG lineup). It was basically an invite only jam masquerading as a 5pc. Bluegrass band for a restuarant. The others all knew each other, and I was the New Kid whom no one had actually heard play. I sailed through both sets; there was only one tune I couldn't figure out, and neither could the bassist! I feel quite proud of having pulled off that gig. (Of course, then I completely blew it by giving the leader of that event a bum address for finding my gig on Sunday - Uuuugh. I'm sooooo embarrased about that)

Onward! Upward!

- Benignus

[babymedic]

After watching Mike Compton in the DFTM dvd in my dorm for the umpteenth time, I switch my thought, "if I ever have money I'll buy a fiddle," to "if I ever have money I'll buy a mandolin." A few months later, after graduation, I had money. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Cary Fagan]

A year ago I had no regular jam. I knew a dozen tunes at moderate speed and could just manage to improvise a break using the pentatonic scale.

A year later I've been playing with a bunch of guys once a week for ten months. I know many more tunes and songs, my picking has blossomed (due to Roland White at Nashcamp insisting I gently anchor my hand behind the bridge, combined with watching yet again Chris Thile on his tape telling me to be loose), and my improvisations use a lot of chord-based double stops. My jam is going public in two weeks for the first time; we're playing downstairs in the legion hall where we practise, inviting regulars and friends. I'm confident enough to imagine it will be fun.

My goal for the next year is to build more melodically based breaks, to continue improving by variation my rhythm playing (more chord shapes), to play more cleanly, to move up the neck more.

Nice of you to ask.

[Frank Russell]

A year ago, I pretty much sucked. Now, I still suck, but on a much more expensive mandolin. Frank

[davestem]

I've improved my comfort in the open-string keys, especially D. I've learned a few more fiddle tunes. I've written my own breaks for some tunes. My speed has gone up from being comfortable at 170bpm to being comfortable at 210bpm (on fiddle tunes). I've learned more about how to make breaks sound cool but still be easy to play.

My goal by next winter is to be able to play comfortably in closed position scales, and have a better rhythm style (more familiar with more chords like major/minor/dominant 7ths, augmented, diminished, and 9ths). I'd like to be able to play fiddle tunes at 250 bpm by next winter.

[John Flynn]

A year ago I was just a few months into lessons with Curtis Buckhannon, I was gigging with my first band as the mando player (I had played guitar in bands before) and I was enjoying playing mando more than I had in the previous 11 years. I am still with Curtis, I am gigging in new, better band and I am still having fun. I have improved a lot, but the enjoyment thing is what is important to me.

[Milan Christi]

A year ago, I pretty much sucked. Now, I still suck, but on a much more expensive mandolin. Frank
Hahahahahahahaha! You took the words right out of my mouth!

[duuuude]

A year ago, I pretty much sucked. #Now, I still suck, but on a much more expensive mandolin. #Frank
I, too, resemble that remark, but I also suck faster and all over the fretboard now!
# http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[grandmainger]

A year ago, I pretty much sucked. #Now, I still suck, but on a much more expensive mandolin. #Frank
I, too, resemble that remark, but I also suck faster and all over the fretboard now!
# http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Same here http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

And what's worse now is that I play loud enough for my neighbours to know that I suck! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif !!!

[fatt-dad]

My pinky works better!

f-d

[Bob DeVellis]

Well, sadly, I think I was much better off a year ago than I am now. This has been a rough and distracting year. If I've played an hour a month, I've been doing good. I joined a few folks last weekend and it was really pathetic. The mandolin is just. I haven't been putting in any time at all, and my playing shows it. Hopefully, life will return to normal (the house addition is nearing completion so I should actually have a place to sit and play again), my time won't be as restricted, the difficulty I've been having with my wrist will subside, and I'll have a chance to recoup my musical losses. But I have to say, I was depressingly amazed at how bad I sounded this past weekend.

[Hondo]

A year ago today I didn't have a mandolin, but was waiting for my cheap PacRim to arrive in the mail (didn't know that the bridge wouldn't be attached to the top - what a shock when I opened up the box), I couldn't play music, much less read it, had no idea what the circle of fifths was, and, in short, was confused. Now I'm still confused, but I have two mandos (upgraded quickly), am reading music (can't sight read worth a darn, but am improving), have picked up a smattering of theory, and can play quite a few simple tunes, and a handful of not-so-simple tunes. All in all it's been a good year, though I, too, must admit that I still suck (and probably will for a looooong time). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Larry S Sherman]

Last year at this time I knew about 3 chords and was just about to start taking mando lessons. The year flew by and now I can play a few Celtic tunes, some Bluegrass, some Choro, and a bit of Gypsy Jazz.

After years of playing guitar I would call myself an advanced beginner on mando...not even close to being able to play in public. I need to keep improvising, learning scales & chords, working on speed, etc, but I'm now at the point where I can methodically learn almost any tune if I work hard enough at it.

And it's still just as fun as when I started, so I guess I'm going to stick with it.

PS: Thanks to all for the Newbie advice a year ago when I was mando hunting. And if you're just starting out a good teacher makes a big difference.

Larry

[duuuude]

"And it's still just as fun as when I started, so I guess I'm going to stick with it."

That's the beaty of the mando being so versatile, there's always something new & exciting to get into.

[Clyde Clevenger]

A year ago I wasn't very good but I was confident. I'm still not very good, but I'm even more confident.

[Mark Normand]

"A year ago I sucked, now I suck less"

(this famous quote shamelessly stolen from someone's post about a year ago)

Once I decided to actually learn some tunes from tabs about 6 months ago, things got better quickly. Now I have the confidence knowing I can do that, just have less time these days to actually do it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[jasona]

I've spent most of the past year working on the fundamentals with the same 10 odd tunes. I just made a breakthrough recently and am now playing with a speed and fluidity that sounds musical...and MUCH more cleanly. I am now going to add 20-40 more tunes to my repertoire in the next year, while keeping loose, light, and fluid.

[keymandoguy]

a year ago I was only playing at a jam once a week Now I am in a gospel band playing once or twice a week also in a new country band practicing once a week and Play with another bluegrass band once a month at the YMCA Loving it all http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[glauber]

A year ago i heard for the first time about Mid-Misouri mandolins. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Paula]

Well, first of all I want to say hello to everyone. This is a great site.
A year ago I was still being awestruck by the beauty of Celtic music whenever I heard it being played. I’ve always loved the sound of the mandolin, even as far back as the early Rod Stewart days.
A week ago I was thinking about treating myself to something nice for Christmas. Something I could enjoy plus combat all the stresses of the job.
Five days ago, I was at one of my favorite sites (Ebay) and started typing in “mandolin” under general search.
Four days ago I bid and won a Weber Aspen 1, much to my surprise = 0
Three days ago I was down at the local music store trying to find out if there is a difference between a guitar pick and a mandolin pick and if anyone gave Mandolin lessons. (Which to my disappointment they don’t.)
I struck up a great conversation with an old jazz guitar player who gave me lots of incentive and was a world of knowledge on music in general. He had studied and trained for years and boy did he know all the ins and outs of music and music theory. He taught guitar, but he was able to give me some good advice. (Plus he turned me on to those finger/grip exercise thingys, and the Intellitouch tuners.)
Three days ago I discovered this board, yeah I know after the Ebay purchase =(
But I still think I got a pretty fair price ($649) for what looks (and I hope) will be a nice instrument.
Two days ago I was on the phone frantically begging Fedex not to leave “the box” if I wasn’t at home, because I had to go to work and it was raining down here.
Which brings me to today.
Today, at this moment I am anxiously awaiting delivery (as I type) of my present from my alter ego “Santa”
BOY AM I EXCITED!!!........


OMG it’s here! (Please don’t let it be in a millon pieces) I’ll see you guys later.
I think I am going to faint now...........
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[bluegrassjack2]

One problem i have is that as long as a person is singing, i seem to be able to pick along but when it comes time for me to take a mando break and that person just got through singing the chorus, i cant always remember how the verse went. anyone else have that problem. Or am I just getting too old.

[jasona]

How do you like the Weber Paula?

[Dfyngravity]

One year ago at this time I had just finished my first semester of college. I was playing a Janish A5 and a Kentucky KM675. Now I'm half way through my 2nd year of college and I am playing a Red Diamond F-5....and let me tell ya, she's a hoss. Oh and I declared my major(s)...double majoring in math and music. Let me just say music theory is a whole more fun than calc I, II or multivariable calc.

[Paula]

Hi Jasona,
IT IS BEAUTIFUL! It sounds so clear and bell like (I know this is probably not an apt description) It was every thing I thougt a Celtic sound should be like. I could not believe how perfect it is. Looks brand new. I saw the same Ebay seller had sold another mandolin of his a few weeks back and that person was impressed at how mint it was when he got it, so I was hoping for the same. It's funny but the Ebay person I bought it from actually ened up bidding on a Breedlove OO Quartz that was my second auction if I hadn't of won his. Isn't that funny?
My fingers are SORE. I practiced 4 cords tonight. I am still awaiting my preordered indtructional DVD. I am just so happy this worked out. Thanks for asking Jasona. =)

[mandoanon]

A year ago I was about 3 months into unemployment after being dumped by a company that orchestrated the largest corporate scandal in history. Sadly, with plenty of free time on my hands, my mandolin sat in it's case gathering dust. My energy and focus to play was non-existent. I had not yet discovered this great site and all it's offerings. Soon after I was back at work and my renenwed interest in music followed. I have a lot of catching up to do for time lost while not playing. But, the enjoyment is better than ever.

[8ch(pl)]

A year ago I was preparing to perform at Christmas eve servie. Many years ago I met a boy, named Terry, about 8 years old, who entered a child's program in the church, I was a leader in the program. 16 or so years later he has become a talented musician, studying guitar at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He also is a noted Scottish Piper with a Reserve Military band. Last year he accompanied my mandolin on classical guitar while I sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy", a somewhat complicated piece. It turned out very well. This year he is up in Ontario for Christmas. I am doing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman", I wish Terry were with me on this one. It has a lot of chord changes. We are now great friends in the church worship band.

I hope all here have a joyous season. God grant your families safety and health.

[jbrwky]

Well, I'm a little better. A little faster. A few more tunes learned. Finally I hope I'm a better person. Older, wiser, more patient. Maybe I play the "human" song a little better and with more feeling. Merry Christmas everyone.

[ira]

more than anything, more confident, and know what i don't know.

[Peter Hackman]

About a year ago I took my Flatiron from the closet
where it had been residing for years. I tried in vain
to tune it, only to find that the tailpiece was coming apart.
After ordering a new one from LMII - did they
mess things up! - I decided to get a first class mandolin,
sold some shares (at a nice profit) and ordered
my Collings.

Since then I've been reviving what
little I know on mando, starting to hear new things, and even composing some new pieces. The guitar remains my prime
instrument, but it's the mandolin that inspires me.

Just start playing and see if I hear anything.
Which, incidentally, is the way I learned the isntrument
almost 40 years ago.
Never took lessons, never practised scales, shapes
or positions, just started playing.

[Jack Roberts]

A year ago I just finished learning the first Bach Cello Suite. I now know the prelude, allemande and part of the courante of the second Cello Suite. And I can't really play any of it very well. My only consolation is that I am making more progress on playing mandolin than I could expect to make with another hobby, such as playing golf.

[reindoggy]

I'm now almost halfway to where I want to be next year; however, it is becoming increasingly apparent that my projections for next year may be unrealistic, and I may have to re-evaluate and lower my goals as I have every year in the past forty. I am now nearing my original projections for year two.

Happy Holidays! Easy on the egg-- heavy on the nog.

[TeleMark]

Hmmm... A year ago, I had no mando, and nothing other than an interest. In August, I picked up a used Rover A-style, and started lessons. 2 weeks ago, I got a Breedlove KF Quartz. I'm getting comfortable in open keys, learning a bunch of fiddle tunes, and working on the 1st variation of Paganini's 24th Caprice. My playing by ear (always a decent strength) is far stronger on mando than guitar, and it just makes sense, more than guitar ever did.

TeleMark

[Pen]

A year ago - I had $2,000 more dollars in my bank and nice smooth fingure tips.

Today - my tips are knarly and tough and I don't really miss the money. What a great choice to dedicate myself to this instrument.

[Carolina_Quinn]

A year ago (come February), I bought my first mandolin (a Mid-Mo M0). #I loved playing so much that I bought a Gibson A-9 off the classifieds of this site (from Frank Russell). #I still love playing, but I've got a long ways to go. #Perhaps someone could recommend a good instructor for me in the Baltimore/Fort Meade (Maryland) area?

[Chip Booth]

Hey Peter what did you do with that Flatiron?

I've come light years in the last year, but am nowhere close to where I want to be. #For ten years I played mando every once in a while just to do something other than guitar. #I had a $100.00 Kentucky and could play a mean open G C and D, and pick a little only in the key of G. #Then around the first of last year I got serious. # I went through a couple of mandolins, an oval hole before I knew the difference, then an intermediate A style. #Then I got all serious and bought a Fern in the spring and eventually a Weber F as well. # I have had a few privates with some great players and been studying from books and DVDs as well. #Learning fiddle tunes, and a wide range of closed chords in various voicings. #I was lucky enough to find two other fellows to play bluegrass with and we formed a gigging trio ( Public Radio (http://www.publicradioband.net) ) and joined an all acoustic alt/country group as well, giving me the chance to play mando in a wide variety of styles. #

I am originally from South Carolina but now live in the mountains of Idaho. #Not until I moved here did I really discover how much I liked bluegrass and old time music. #In the last year I have seen more live bluegrass music than I ever did back in the South. #Overall I have to say it's been a heck of a year for me and the funny little guitar http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Keith Erickson]

My mandolin was collecting dust. Now my resonator and 12 guitars are collecting dust.

Happy Picking http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Eric F.]

A year ago I was still not as good as I had been two years before that, when I hurt my hand and had surgery. I was playing the same tunes over and over, and my finger hurt and didn't work very well. Oh, and work took up almost all of my time. Well, I got a less stressful job, moved 350 miles south and rededicated myself to playing. I found a teacher who's kicking my butt and if I'm still not as good as I was before surgery, I know I'm getting there and will soon go beyond. A year ago I had sold my good mandos to pay the doctor and was down to a Kentucky 250. Now I'm happily playing a Breedlove oval and waiting on an A5 from a luthier. Life is good!

[jasona]

In the past year I have succeeded in playing out more. I have been to several jams, Monday lunchtime picking, and even played a couple on stage. My focus has been on right hand technique, and I am happy to discover I am playing much faster and smoother and cleaner than before (especially after sitting front row center and staring at David Long and Mike Compton's technique). This year, I an going to continue improving by focusing on chords/backup play and adding more new songs.

[berkeleymando]

I learned a lot in the last year. Took some lessons, and thanks to this web site bought two great mandolins, a Schwab 4 string electric and an 'Arches' (Chris Baird) Walnut bodied A model. Oh yes, and I learned how to read standard notation (I should say re-learned) and to play tunes on the mandolin from sheet music, slowly.

[levin4now]

In the opening post for this thread, I said something about not being able to build my own breaks, and that that troubled me greatly. I fear what the real problem is, is that I can physically play the mandolin faster now, but I don't feel that the 'music' is coming. I have this notion that by now, I should know whether I will ever 'get/understand/feel' music. I don't know if I can explain it, or if anyone else can relate.

[fatt-dad]

A year ago, I wasn't getting discouraged - opps, wrong thread.

f-d

[Peter Hackman]

Hey Peter what did you do with that Flatiron?
I fitted it with the new tailpiece, brass like
the old one (that's not what I ordered ...),
hoping it will last another 7 or 8 years. But after
the Collings arrived I almost never touch it.
It sounds dull in comparison, also the Collings spoiled me with its radiused fretboard. Playing a flat fingerboard feels
strange and uncomfortable after that. I suppose it's the eminent playability of the Collings that inspires me.

The nut is cut right, too, very important in flat keys.

[sweetmusic]

A year ago (slightly more), I was still playing my Weber Sage Octove mando in my celtic band (http://woodkerne.com/). Now I'm playing on an HD large-bodied Irish bouzouki (actually an octave mando - but who's counting?). It has a much thinner neck (more like a banjo neck than the Weber), lower action, bigger sound and is much easier to play. I love it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif