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Thread: Mandolin treacher question...

  1. #1

    Exclamation Mandolin treacher question...

    I'm a guitar player who just got his first mandolin and can't decide how to hold the neck. When up on the neck of a guitar, my thumb is all that is touching the neck so naturally I have a tendency to do that.

    A mandolin player, that I know, says the neck should rest in my palm, between the thumb and forefinger. He is a self taught player and that doesn't sound just right to me. I will start learning the chords and some scales tomorrow and don't want to start bad habits.

    I need guidance....

    Twaang

  2. #2
    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin treacher question...

    Quote Originally Posted by Twaang View Post
    I'm a guitar player who just got his first mandolin and can't decide how to hold the neck. When up on the neck of a guitar, my thumb is all that is touching the neck so naturally I have a tendency to do that.
    Yeah, don't do that.

    A mandolin is roughly the same fingerboard width and scale length as a violin. So generally speaking, we use violin technique with the left hand instead of what we're used to on guitar... speaking here as a 40 year guitar player who learned mandolin 7 years ago.

    Here's the best short video clip I know of, for showing the left hand position. Mike Marshall explaining it:



    There are some other tricks you'll learn as a transitioning guitar player, like how useful it is to hold down two courses (four strings) at once with a single fingertip. That's why you don't want a "wide" nut on mandolin. And also how to play out of first position like a violin, which means each finger covers two frets, and you need a strong pinky finger on the left hand.

    Welcome to the mando madhouse.

  3. #3
    Registered User Pete Martin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin treacher question...

    Look at the left hand videos I made here

    http://www.petimarpress.com/mandolin...%20videos.html

    These are ergonomic techniques taught me by a Performing Arts Medical Assn doc when I was having a lot of overuse injuries.
    -----------
    Pete Martin
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    Jazz and Bluegrass instruction books, videos, articles, transcriptions, improvisation, ergonomics, free recordings, private lessons

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  5. #4

    Default Re: Mandolin treacher question...

    I have likely watched that Marshal video 30 times. An excellent guide to developing good basic habits.

  6. #5

    Default Re: Mandolin treacher question...

    Hey thanks everybody!!

    That's just what I needed.

    Twaang....

  7. #6
    Registered User Wynning13's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin treacher question...

    Great video, thanks for sharing this.

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