Search:

Thanks for all the responses folks, and sorry I wasn't participating in the discussion -- I pretty much forgot that I posted this. I've now got a lot of listening ahead of me!

This thread brought...

Howdy folks,

In progressive bluegrass, there's a good deal of music that consists of more than a repeating chord structure and a melody -- music that is less improvised and more composed, as a...

Now that's good to hear! I first came across Mark O'Connor several years ago when I was blown away by his solo mandolin piece "A Bowl of Bula"... I was quite disheartened to find upon further...

I saw her last year in Boston. Her playing was quite eloquent, and she had quite the backup group. I particularly liked Justin Moses' style, the way he stands straight with his fiddle, playing the...

Last year at the Jenny Brook festival in Vermont, The Boxcars were doing a late night informal performance where others were invited to come and play along. Normally in those types of performances,...

I've had a Loar 220 for five or so years now -- its sound quality is remarkable, especially for the price. It gives you the crisp, smooth sound you'd expect from a much pricier mandolin. I recently...

Hi Phil,

As I'm in the Boston area, I won't be able to see the concert, but I once jammed with Ethan while he was in Boston doing a music program at Berklee. What a talented musician, with a...

Thank you very much for the link -- I'm currently watching some of his videos. Very interesting!

Hm, interesting. My 505 is 1.75" thick. When buying it there were two other 505's at the shop, and the one I chose was significantly more resonant. Maybe that's because it was a bit thicker!

I'll be there for sure! Line up looks great... can't wait to escape this cold winter with some pickin'.

About a month ago I noticed growing tingling pain in my right wrist, and I got very worried. My technique was fine, and stretching my fingers and wrist didn't help.

Then I realized that the pain...

That's an interesting idea! I agree with both of your cons -- the mandolins would have to work really well together for there not to be a jumbled sound. I sure would like to see it happen!

I learned this tune a couple weeks ago -- what a great song. I agree that it's pretty tough to learn by ear as there are a lot of double stops, as well as up the neck playing.

Feel free to PM me...

An older friend of mine who's quite good with the mandolin once told me never to focus on how many hours a day you play.

I think it's sound advice, for doing so can take your focus away from what...

I've been playing the mandolin for a good 7 years, but it really wasn't until early 2014 that I fell in love with it. Before 2014, I practiced the mandolin routinely and was not bad skill-wise, but I...

That's a good question. I didn't start jamming until around a year or two ago, and it was really difficult at first to figure out the chords to songs I didn't know (and it still is at times!). Your...

Welcome to the Cafe Ole!

I definitely would reccomend getting an A-model for your first mandolin; they get you the best sound for your money.

My two recommendations would be the Eastman 305 and...

I got a BlueChip four years ago and haven't lost it since -- it really gives the mando a nice tone. I just keep it in the case :)

Put the armrest wherever your arm normally touches the side of the mandolin when playing. In my case, I put my armrest rather far from the tailpiece, near the F-hole.

That sounds annoying! I would stretch your left hand before and after playing, and work on techinque as well. Good luck!

Your best bet would probably be a used instrument. The Kentucky KM-150 is a playable mando that goes for $230 new, so you could definitely find that for a pretty low price used.

If you're looking...

Yes, merry Christmas to you all! Come to think of it, I might learn a few Christmas tunes on mandolin!

As a mandolinist on the younger side, it's incredible how many kids I know who play hours a day of violin or piano -- and they don't enjoy it one bit.

Many people don't recognize that music isn't...

Dylan,

This is some really cool and creative stuff! Keep it up. You play this song with a very distinct feel.

By the way, what mandolin is that? Looks pretty funky!

Hey folks,

I've recently been learning a couple of solo instrumental tunes that aren't really fiddle tunes or bluegrass; in fact, they hardly even fit into any genre. I've learned a few Thile...