mandolin magazines

**John Eichenberger** · Jul-23-2006, 9:50pm

For the second time this year, I have unsuccessfully tried to get a subscription to Mandolin Magazine. #I used to like it, but if they can't get me back on the list, they must not want my business. #I have contacted them directly with no improvement in the situation. #
Now to the point: #does anyone know of any other mandolin publications that would be worth my money? #I am especially interested in music and learning new tunes and techniques of any genre.
Thanks in advance for any help any one can offer.

**wallflower** · Jul-23-2006, 10:27pm

I've had the same problem. #I've tried multiple times to renew my subscription and they've been totally unresponsive. #It's very disappointing.

**B. T. Walker** · Jul-23-2006, 10:37pm

Right on up there with getting a renewal reminder two days after the deadline to renew without having to pay extra to get the "current issue". Made me wonder.

**John Craton** · Jul-23-2006, 11:16pm

Not as disorganized as Opera News, though. It took me two years to get my subscription to go through with them.

You might consider joining the CMA. You get their quarterly Mandolin Journal when you join.

**F5G WIZ** · Jul-24-2006, 1:56am

I just started getting the mag. didn't have a problem starting a new subscription, but have to say I am a bit disappointed in the magazine. Seems light on content for the money that you have to pay for just four issues. I won't be renewing my subscription.

**JimRichter** · Jul-24-2006, 7:22am

I'm not quite sure, but Ginny Hollon, who is the editor/publisher/go-fer, runs the magazine as pretty much a one-woman operation. I think part of the problem may be that she's laid herself a little thin. I had some problems regarding a renewal a couple years ago, but it got resolved and hasn't been an issue since.

Jim

**fishdawg40** · Jul-24-2006, 10:24am

#

I say get some back issues of Mandolin World News, (while they're still avaliable) from Dix Bruce's web site (I can't remember what it is but you could probably Google him). #I have all of them and they have kept me pretty busy for a while. #Perhaps they will keep you busy too, until Mandolin Magazine figures some things out...

Oh, and I appreciate the heads up about Mandolin Magazine because I was going to subscribe, now I have second thoughts.

**glauber** · Jul-24-2006, 10:37am

Dix is musixnow.com

**spats** · Jul-24-2006, 11:10am

Hi,
did any of you guys get a reminder to renew your subscription when it lapsed? I got nothing at all. When I cancelled my National Geographic I was pestered for more than a year with special offers, etc!
A strange way to do business......

**usqebach** · Jul-24-2006, 11:21am

HMM,

I subscribed quite a few months ago. Sent them money for the 3 year subscription, I think. Haven't seen a thing yet. I thought I was supposed to get the issue in July, and now its ...July. Guess I had better check in with them (her).

Thanks for reminding me!

**DryBones** · Jul-24-2006, 11:26am

I just got my summer issue this weekend. I have had no problems receiving my issues yet.

**Onesound** · Jul-24-2006, 5:15pm

I don't like to critize because it's rare to ever see anything in print about mandolin, and I really admire Ginny's dedication to the mandolin community. I have subscribed several times over the years, usually droping it because, like others have noted, it's rather sparse in written content for the money. What's there is enjoyable, but frequently not much depth to the articles. Guess if you enjoy working through the printed music then there is more to offer. Honestly, unless it's a rather basic score, I usually need to hear a piece of music played as it should be, before I can successfully work through it. For that reason, I usually pass over the printed music. ...just my personal idosyncracy.

**DSDarr** · Jul-24-2006, 5:20pm

Originally Posted by (Onesound @ July 24 2006, 18:15)

Guess if you enjoy working through the printed music then there is more to offer. Honestly, unless it's a rather basic score, I usually need to hear a piece of music played as it should be, before I can successfully work through it. For that reason, I usually pass over the printed music. ...just my personal idosyncracy.

This is probably my biggest complaint about the magazine as well. I really think there should be a way to get music for the tunes.... mp3s on a website or something. In this day and age it really shouldn't be that difficult. I realize that getting organized enough to do that with the contributers might be a bit of a challenge initially however.

David

p.s. I do think it is a bit light in content for the price but I enjoy what there is. I also think it is a bit heavy in weight too -- they seem to use overly heavy, glossy paper. Surely it would be cheaper (and lighter to mail) if they used some other paper....

**Dale Ludewig** · Jul-24-2006, 6:13pm

I would bet that if Ginny used less quality paper that there would be complaints about that. Look at GuitarMaker Magazine, the journal from A.S.I.A. It's printed on similarly high quality paper. It has fewer articles per issue in it than MandoMag and I could go on. I know some people will probably point out that I advertise in the magazine. I believe that is putting your money where your mouth is. I think Ginny is doing a heck of a job. She may well be overloaded but I don't see anyone else putting out a magazine with the breadth that MandoMag has. Yeah, it's not cheap. It's also not a large audience as magazines go. Layout and getting all the content together is the big part of putting any publication together. Once that's done, printing costs are an issue, but not the hardest part.

I'm not trying to make any apologies or excuses for poor turnaround. That's none of my business. I don't like to see complaints about the magazine because I "do" advertise in it and any drop in subscriptions affects my coverage. And, by the way, I don't get a free subscription because I advertise in it.

I do believe that it would be helpful to do things like David did say, suggest something that you'd like to see. MP3's of the songs presented online- that'd be nice. But I'd think the columnists would be responsible for that. And from my point of view, they're pretty good players- those people doing the columns, as well as the featured player of the month.

Just my 2 cents worth. And while I'm being a bit grouchy, this site isn't free either. Scott, Ted, Dan, and who knows how many other people contribute their own time and money, people advertise and spend money, people donate money to help support the site.

**Walter** · Jul-24-2006, 7:47pm

I've had the same experience. #I've subscribed for years, and it seems I've always had to work hard to re-new my subscription. #My latest subscription expired about 2 months ago. No notice, no invite for another year or two, nothing. #So, I decided to let it go. #As an alternative, I am considering a subscription to the Fretboard Journal. #Does anyone receive that publication?

**mando Nick** · Jul-24-2006, 7:55pm

I have liked Mandolin Magazine for the various columns on playing...different styles of music. For me, the columns are probably the strongest point of the magazine.
I also liked the Mandolin Quarterly, which ended because the editor was sick.
So, I think we are lucky to have one magazine devoted to our instrument.
Nick Royal
Santa Cruz, CA

**thistle3585** · Jul-24-2006, 9:35pm

I just got the July copy today. I was really impressed with the article on Eastman Instruments. Gave me a little bit more of a perspective on their approach to developing their instruments. The article about Improvising using pentatonics by Joe Carr was awesome. Really spelled it out well for the begineer. I haven't had a chance to spend much time with this issue much but I generally read it cover to cover.
I do like the music sections, and try to work through most of them in every issue. It doesn't bother me that there aren't any audio files. Most of the songs presented are pretty common so you could track them down easily if you had to, but I think its better for me to try and work them out on my own first. Maybe someone should start archiving them in the Song and Tune project thread.

**mando_toss_flycoon** · Jul-24-2006, 9:55pm

I enjoy Mandolin Magazine for the written music and for some of the columns that accompany the music. I also like to read the profiles of mandolin players and makers.

The magazine could use a good copy editor. Regardless, I look forward to each new issue and will continue my subscription for the time being.

**B. T. Walker** · Jul-25-2006, 8:21am

Posting mp3's of the tunes in Mandolin Magazine on their website is a great idea, Dale. #Rich DelGrosso already does it for his column at this site:

www.mandolinblues.com

**mandocrucian** · Jul-25-2006, 8:30am

If a magazine makes it past the first year or two and doesn't fold due to financial overextension, about 10 years is when a lot of publications cease because of editor/publisher burnout. #If it makes it past 15 years (Banjo Newsletter, Sing Out!, Bluegrass Unlimted), it will probably be around forever. After ten years, the publisher feels like Sisyphus, endlessly pushing the same boulder up the mountain, and packing it in is big relief. MWN lasted about ten years, as did Bluegrass And Oldtime Mandolin (BAOTM from the UK), Autoharpoholic and Experimental Musical Instruments, #Swing 51 and many other rags I used to read. (There seems to be some sort of psychological goal about making it to the ten-year mark before quitting.)

In the decade between the end of Mandolin World News and the beginning of Mandolin Magazine, the (one) mando-rag was The Mandocrucian's Digest which a lot of you more recent mando converts may not be familiar with.

Though there will probably always be someone willing to give it a shot, I think the days of the one-man published specialty niche magazine - as a physically printed commodity - is over, or, at the door of extinction. The specialized readership market is/was always financially marginal and it is a struggle just to break even. Now, there are indivdual's web sites, e-lists, and tab collections to compete with, all offering more instant gratification compared to a quarterly. A magazine has got to obtain various clearances for running any music, but web tab sites, which have a readership that 100x-1000x just put up anything they want and claim it is non-profit "fair use" (but OLGA got shut down). Chances are, any tab that you went through the red-tape to "publish" will be copied and posted somewhere within 6 months.

Niles Hokkanen

Originally Posted by

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>The Mandocrucian's Digest

The Mandocrucian's Digest was a mandolin player's magazine edited/published by Niles Hokkanen. During this eleven year time period (April 1986 to April 1997) 27 issues #were published, containing an extremely varied and eclectic content - all relating to the mandolin family of instruments and general musicianship. In the #Digest # were the instructional articles and columns you'd never see elsewhere, covering styles of mandolin playing often ignored. Interviews were long and in-depth, attempting to get into the thought processes of the interviewee as to why he approached music the way he did, rather than the usual "when's the next record coming out" questions that non-playing writers ask for magazines read by non-musicians.

Styles covered included bluegrass, old-time, jazz/swing and Irish, but also Cajun, klezmer, rock and Scandinavian music as well. Technique (somewhat classical, but applicable to any style), solo and rhythm playing were also explored, as was the subject of improvisation. The musicianship of contributors was truly amazing, especially for a specialty publication with a small (but dedicated) readership. Michael Doucet#and Tommy Comeaux (from the #1 Cajun band, Beausoleil), Judy Hyman from the#Horseflies, Mick Moloney, BAOTM publiser John Baldry, classical monster#Evan Marshall, the innovative Radim Zenkl, Boston-based multi-instrumentalist John McGann, cellist /street musician #Sean Grissom#from New York City, and Finnish fiddler/mandolinist Arto Järvelä (of #JPP and The Helsinki Mandoliners ) all appeared regularly in the Digest, along with occasional submissions from dance musicians #Larry Edelman #and #David Surette, klezmer players Henry Koretzky and Mimi Rabson, and others. And of course, there were always writings from the editor Niles Hokkanen, who lives his "anything can be played on the mandolin" musical philosophy.</span>

I still have copies of back issues #4, #6 - 27 available. (#s 1-3 and 5 are gone). <span style='color:red'>Until Aug 15, 2006 take 33% off on all orders of Digest issues and accompanying audio cassettes over $30 (pre discount).</span> Check out the issue content listings (click on the link above); I'm sure you'll find something in your area of mando-interest.
The Mandocrucian's Digest

**Jim Roberts** · Jul-25-2006, 1:44pm

Just rode down to the P.O. and low and behold my latest issue of Mandolin Magazine was in the box. #I've never had trouble renewing my subscription and always look forward to the next issue. #

Great job and many thanks for your efforts to keep this magazine going, Ginny!

**Aran** · Jul-26-2006, 7:12am

I just subsrcibed today

Before I read this thread... What the hell I'll make my own mind up!! I am looking forward to that bit about the pentatonic soloing and the article about eastmans as I'm fairly broke and need an upgrade so that might have some interesting information..

Lets see what happens..

**Rick Crenshaw** · Jul-26-2006, 9:20am

Mandolin Magazine is fair for what it is. #Like others, I don't read standard notation and I would like an accompanying CD for the tunes. #Take a look at Flatpicking Guitar Magazine (FGM) FGM Website. #It is available with CD's. #Not only the music is covered, but so is the main artist interview. #AND the music is covered in a slow tempo as well as up to speed.

I was primarily a flatpicker before picking up mandolin about 2-1/2 years ago. #I still get FGM because I own every issue and it is so well done. I know that there are far more guitar players than mandolin, but I think the trend is that more and more are playing mandolin. #Of course, modeling after FGM would mean much more work for Ginny.

I'll likely keep subscribing, but I want some sounds to go with it.

**Joel Glassman** · Jul-26-2006, 10:11am

... The Mandocrucian's Digest which a lot of you more
recent mando converts may not be familiar with....
-------------------------------

I highly recommend this. It will keep you busy forever.

**thistle3585** · Jul-26-2006, 11:49am

I emailed Ginny via the link from the Cafe main page and she responded the next day. Incidentally, any orders or renewals after July 25th get a free set of D'addario EXP74 strings while supplies last. She's giving away 200 sets.

Niles, I tried your link but it didn't go to your site.

Andrew