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The learning curve of the left hand is pretty steep to climb at first in terms of playing chop chords and getting full volume. I agree with Martin Jonas' advice, in terms of full Bill Monroe Chords...

Sounds Fun! Count me in, I'll bring my toys, and I learned to share in kindergarden. We should do meet ups more often. I am going to Steve's live Music tonight. And I need to get to their weekly...

Great stuff in this thread. I am in the process of attempting to work with gravity, it's easier that way. "Don't play anything that's too hard." Joe Pass. Also trying to cure my flying fingers...

I have a short video that gives the ideas behind cross-picking. I am far from mastery but these tips helped me.

http://jakecohan.com/info/2013/04/12/cross-picking-tip-of-the-iceberg/

This...

In terms of some jazzier turnarounds. Below is a video where Jeff Midkiff and Curtis Jones play Sweet Georgia Brown, that has a turnaround. They also start the tune with a chromatic walk-down that...

I think that the above advice is sound. Starting a melody line with my index finger on the tonic is a good way for me to find the melody within the given scale. The scale here is played through in...

Turnarounds have a purpose. I have found them more fitting for Texas Swing and Jazz styles. Bluegrass and traditional turnarounds seem to be much more simple like a I-V-I (1-5-1) instead of a...

Good advice from Strings8,
It does take some practice, I have a little practice routine I can post here. While cross-picking on the mandolin it is important to keep the other fingers, "out of the...

I have been working on his version of St.Louis blues. I know this is a long shot but any tabledit or simple notation for other Apollon solos would be greatly appreciated and put to good use. ...

I must go to the woodshed but will have some accurate tabs posted here soon. I knew at least the A part years ago and must reteach it to myself. I love Jethro's compositions, I seem to remember...

I play two mandolins, one with a nice big McClung armrest, the other without. Being that I switch often, I am having trouble deciding which mandolin setup provides the least tension in my right...

I also share in the awe that surrounds Andy Statman. His newest CD is great, "Old Brooklyn." He is a master who can shred and out technique the best, but seemingly he chooses to always put the...

I think that all of Don Julin's freebies stuff is great for those just starting! Jazzmando is more for intermediate players. Have fun, think of a song you would learn and I'd be happy to post...

I do use turnarounds. I find that they sound best in Jazz or Swing tunes. But if slowed down the progressions can be songs in and of themselves. 1-6-2-5 in G is.
G-E7-A7-D7 usually with two hits...

Thanks for the replies,
And like you Larry, I have found that I really like flat-wound strings no matter which mandolin I am playing. I have found it makes a difference. It seems to help with...

I recently got myself a J. Bovier A-4, a beautiful instrument with great tone and playability. I only recently heard about these mandolins.

I didn't do tons of research, but I got a deal on...

I am also a huge fan of Jethro's warm-up scale exercises. Specifically the "Exercise a la Ellington," is helpful for playing with a unique timing, accenting certain notes without playing straight...

I own a copy as well, the book does contain a few really cool things. Unless you are interested in playing styles like that of Bela Bartok or Traditional Jewish and Middle Eastern music I'd say it's...

I must agree with all the posts above, especially Mr.Watters advice. I feel that playing music on mandolin must be learned through human interaction in real time, not by technological updates or...

I'd like to thank everyone for their input. Exactly what I was wondering. For now I am playing the Thom's. But am going to try the D'Addario FW-74 flatwound strings.

I just got some D'Addario...

I got to a place in my playing where theoretical material provided by Pete Martin and Jazzmando really helped me express myself musically. Well worth the small amount of money and large amount of...

Hello there,
I usually play Thomastik Infeld Flat-wound strings, or Elixers when I want a louder bluegrass sound with longer string life. Any information or reviews of, "Pyramid Strings," out of...

As with most routines, it differs for every individual. Splitting time between, playing songs, theory based stuff, finger-workouts, and just jamming seems to help me stay relaxed and enjoy practice....

I agree with Jim. The Mel Bay book is a good place to start. I found that pieces I knew really well in my head, for example being able to hum the entire melody helped tremendously.

Bach's works...

I really have gotten my money's worth with, "Bluegrass Mandolin Taught by Sam Bush." This is an older video I actually own it on VHS! He goes over songs from "Paddy on the Turnpike," to "Sapporo,"...