I am apprehensive of Mandolin Cafe

**Rayloche** · Mar-10-2011, 7:45pm

Mandolin Cafe,
I enjoy practicing the mandolin and I want to get better. Mandolin Cafe's forum seems like a great resource. Yet, for some reason I fear reading it. I think I am afraid it will destroy the pleasure I get from playing for myself.

I was a member for a while of a coffee forum (coffeegeek) and I learned a huge amount and I made much much better coffee and espresso afterwards.... But but but....

I ended up giving up coffee because it was so much work. I ordered the beans I selected green, picked out the bad looking ones, roasted it my self, stored it properly, bought an expensive grinder, controlled the brew time and temperature with care and attention. Before, I got some pleasure from a cup of Maxwell house with my Mr. Coffee, but not anymore. Also, I could never make espresso as good as some people because I was limited by my equipment. I modified my equipment to make it better than it was, but I just can not afford a La Marzocco machine.

So, Mandolin Cafe, how do I participate and lurk to learn and improve so I like what I do more without making my hobby unjoyful?

In the other forum it was always assumed that if people wanted better coffee it was going to cost some serious money for at very least a nice grinder. Am I going to be unhappy with my Rigel and my Stradolin? Am I going to be obsessing over $50 picks and $200 strings? Is there one right way that will cause me to look down on all other ways?

I know this seems odd to try and ask you as a community to talk me into taking advantage of the resources you offer, and I fully understand if you ignore this thread, but my impression is that most forums are filled with people who just want to help and share their knowledge and I assume this is no different.

So... Should I be afraid of Mandolin Cafe ruining the mandolin for me?

**Rick Schmidlin** · Mar-10-2011, 7:49pm

It will ruin you, it will give MAS.

But still because of this be afraid,very afraid!

**yankees1** · Mar-10-2011, 7:56pm

I think there is a psychiatry forum that might serve you well!

**Steve-o** · Mar-10-2011, 7:58pm

Don't worry, we have a 12-step program... The Cafe is like any other resource. You can obsess about all things mandolin and spend way more time on this site than actual playing. Or you can stop by only when you need information or want to join in a little bit of community. The choice is yours.

Welcome!

**Ed Goist** · Mar-10-2011, 8:00pm

I have been a member for a little under a year, and the Mandolin Cafe has enhanced my mandolin experience in every way.
I consider the Cafe an invaluable guide on my mandolin journey, and quite possibly the very best site on the internet.
As a community I'd have to say that this place is pretty non-judgmental and accepting...Rogue lovers to Gilchrist lovers...all are welcome.

**ColdBeerGoCubs** · Mar-10-2011, 8:06pm

If you stay out of a few categories and focus on the technique and theory section and join a beginners group and the song-a-day group then really all you'll get is knowledge and valuable resources. THis is something I'm trying to get myself to do. Venture into the other areas and you might not have all that expensive coffee equipment, or a car for that matter in a few weeks.

**swain** · Mar-10-2011, 8:10pm

Just hang out in the "classifieds". Everything you will need can be found there.

Then play and practice more, read and write less.

swain

**Randi Gormley** · Mar-10-2011, 8:14pm

I join very few forums, but I've found that this one has enhanced my understanding of my instruments without moving me into obsession. Of course I'm not a particularly obsessive person. You know yourself well enough to know if you are. You can obsess over fancy picks, high-end strings, finding a Loar or being absolutely right about how to play a particular break if you want to. We certainly won't stop you. And you'll find all sorts of people to ride along with you. But you'll also find people who don't really care whether you have a $25,000 instrument or a $49 Rogue as long as you enjoy making music on the mandolin. I'm taking your original post seriously, but I could just as easily find the fun in it -- I don't know whether you were speaking tongue-in-cheek or really did go so far into coffee geekery that it spoiled the fun. Many of us here don't take ourselves quite that seriously. We just like to talk about the neat things we know and can play on our instruments, share a bunch of jokes, post pictures of really, really pretty mandolins, enter into erudite conversations and give advice on overcoming stage fright and carpal tunnel syndrome. You know, hobby conversations. Join us if you dare -- but be prepared to laugh a lot and learn a lot. What more could you ask?

**mandolirius** · Mar-10-2011, 8:30pm

Originally Posted by Rayloche

Mandolin Cafe,
I enjoy practicing the mandolin and I want to get better. Mandolin Cafe's forum seems like a great resource. Yet, for some reason I fear reading it. I think I am afraid it will destroy the pleasure I get from playing for myself.

I ended up giving up coffee because it was so much work. I ordered the beans I selected green, picked out the bad looking ones, roasted it my self, stored it properly, bought an expensive grinder, controlled the brew time and temperature with care and attention. Before, I got some pleasure from a cup of Maxwell house with my Mr. Coffee, but not anymore. Also, I could never make espresso as good as some people because I was limited by my equipment. I modified my equipment to make it better than it was, but I just can not afford a La Marzocco machine.

So, Mandolin Cafe, how do I participate and lurk to learn and improve so I like what I do more without making my hobby unjoyful?

In the other forum it was always assumed that if people wanted better coffee it was going to cost some serious money for at very least a nice grinder. Am I going to be unhappy with my Rigel and my Stradolin? Am I going to be obsessing over $50 picks and $200 strings? Is there one right way that will cause me to look down on all other ways?

I know this seems odd to try and ask you as a community to talk me into taking advantage of the resources you offer, and I fully understand if you ignore this thread, but my impression is that most forums are filled with people who just want to help and share their knowledge and I assume this is no different.

So... Should I be afraid of Mandolin Cafe ruining the mandolin for me?

It depends on how serious you are. If you are quite serious, then avoid the Cafe Forums. Spend your time practising instead. If you have a specific question, a search will often produce the answer. Beyond that, there's nothing here you really need. That's not to say it has no benefit or can't be fun and interesting. But it's up to you to decide which is more important: playing mandolin or reading and writing about mandolins. Computers didn't exist when I began playing but even if they had, I wouldn't have had a lot of time to spend online. I was obsessed and played six to eight hours a day.

BTW, I'm a die-hard espresso head but I've never invested in professional grade equipment for my home. I like going out for one, I have my favourite places and live in a very coffee-friendly town. At home, I have a simple stovetop espresso maker that can't really generate enough steam or pressure to make a true espresso, but does produce a satisfying cup similar to an americano. I use good qualify coffee, roasted at a place just around the corner and buy small quantities so storage isn't an issue. I could very easily geek out on coffee but I guess I recognized that on some level and didn't dive right in.

**Rayloche** · Mar-10-2011, 8:31pm

ColdBeerGoCubs,
That sounds like good advice.

Randi Gormley,
Thank you! That is good to hear. Or, it is good to hear that obsession towards an agreed upon perfection is not the norm.
You are certainly easing my apprehension.

(I really did go head first into coffee and I was moderate compared to many and it really did spoil the fun. No tongue-in-cheek unfortunately)

**dcoventry** · Mar-10-2011, 8:54pm

I guess the only real question is.............what kind of Rigel!?!?!?!?

This place is just great. It's a wonderful resource for information on a surprisingly rare instrument. Lots of good clean fun to be had, and friends to be met.

**Rayloche** · Mar-10-2011, 8:54pm

Originally Posted by mandolirius

It depends on how serious you are. If you are quite serious, then avoid the Cafe Forums. Spend your time practising instead. If you have a specific question, a search will often produce the answer. Beyond that, there's nothing here you really need. That's not to say it has no benefit or can't be fun and interesting. But it's up to you to decide which is more important: playing mandolin or reading and writing about mandolins. Computers didn't exist when I began playing but even if they had, I wouldn't have had a lot of time to spend online. I was obsessed and played six to eight hours a day.

Hmm. That the more serious I am the more I should avoid the forums is rather counter to what I expected. I certainly am not that serious at the mandolin, but I think there is a lot of good sense it what you say. Other than specific answers to specific questions there probably is nothing that I really need. Practice and working things through yourself always seems like the best method... especially since I am in no hurry and need for maximum efficiency.

It really raises an interesting question: What is it that I really want to gain that I think a forum is a good choice?

I guess just ideas of what to try and play and suggestions for what to practice to improve my technique over all.

Or to state another way, it would be nice to know what is available without feeling like it has all been done.

**Rayloche** · Mar-10-2011, 9:05pm

Originally Posted by dcoventry

I guess the only real question is.............what kind of Rigel!?!?!?!?
.

The A+ Deluxe I believe, or what ever that was called (though that sounds right) when I bought it round 7-10 years ago from folkofthewood (I think) back when they sold instruments. I really love that mandolin.

Originally Posted by dcoventry

This place is just great. It's a wonderful resource for information on a surprisingly rare instrument. Lots of good clean fun to be had, and friends to be met.

Thanks.. That is good to hear.

**JeffD** · Mar-10-2011, 9:11pm

Originally Posted by Rayloche

Am I going to be unhappy with my Rigel and my Stradolin?

No not at all, but that doesnt mean you might not yearn for another mandolin.

Am I going to be obsessing over $50 picks and $200 strings?

Of course. Oh, the paraphernalia of it all.

Is there one right way that will cause me to look down on all other ways?

There are two right ways and one wrong way, actually.

Imagine learning one little trick or perhaps too, and finding that with that your tremolo tightened up and your triplets trippled.

So... Should I be afraid of Mandolin Cafe ruining the mandolin for me?

No, but it might make it more of an obsession. Which is a good thing.

**blueron** · Mar-10-2011, 9:14pm

Use the forum for advice and information - it is a wonderful resource of both, with members who are incredibly generous with their expertise, something for which I am always grateful.

Unfortunately, in order to find the genuinely informed advice you sometimes have to filter out repetitive geekery from a (very) few people here who know little but talk themselves up endlessly. Those individuals have little or no expertise to offer, and, in order to preserve your sanity, have to be identified and ignored.

But that's a small price to have to pay for one of the most informative and helpful fora on the Web.

ron

**allenhopkins** · Mar-10-2011, 9:25pm

Don't borrow trouble. Like any resource, this board can be used, over-used, or abused. Like any collection of unsolicited opinions, the posts you find here will vary in relevance and value.

Do some introspection. What makes you tend to take the opinions and preferences of people you don't even know so seriously? Anyone who posts on this (or any) forum may be the world's greatest expert, the world's most insightful analyst, or the world's biggest purveyor of manure. In any case, this forum, or any outside source of knowledge and opinion, only has the power over your behavior that you give it.

That caveat goes for this posting, as well as any other one. "Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand..." as Mr. Browne and Mr. Frey wrote.

**michaelpthompson** · Mar-10-2011, 9:39pm

it only becomes an unhealthy obsession if you let it. Do you believe that one really perfect cup of coffee actually exists out there, and everything else is only a disappointing step on the path to achieving it? Then you don't enjoy all the good coffee along the way. You may as well go back to your Maxwell House and abandon the quest.

But if each new variety is a wonderful new experience, and each new roasting technique is something to savor and enjoy, then each cup is a wonderful part of the overall whole and each can be enjoyed for itself.

Same with the mandolin. If every instrument, every chord, every pick or string, is disappointing because it's not Nirvana, then you've merely got an obsession on your hands again. But if you can enjoy the journey rather than looking for the unattainable destination, then the obsession becomes a glorious new life.

**George R. Lane** · Mar-10-2011, 9:39pm

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

Don't borrow trouble. Like any resource, this board can be used, over-used, or abused. Like any collection of unsolicited opinions, the posts you find here will vary in relevance and value.

Do some introspection. What makes you tend to take the opinions and preferences of people you don't even know so seriously? Anyone who posts on this (or any) forum may be the world's greatest expert, the world's most insightful analyst, or the world's biggest purveyor of manure. In any case, this forum, or any outside source of knowledge and opinion, only has the power over your behavior that you give it.

That caveat goes for this posting, as well as any other one. "Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand..." as Mr. Browne and Mr. Frey wrote.

Allens' advice is very sound. I have found him to be one of the reasoning voices here. There are many others who wish to share their knowledge and that is what makes the Cafe so good

**Fstpicker** · Mar-10-2011, 9:50pm

My safest online transactions, the best prices, and my best mandolins, I have been able to find on this forum in the classified section. And the advice of a few reputable dealers who post here fairly frequently, have been invaluable to me as well. And some very wise advice as to what to look for in a mandolin, I have received here from many others.

Oh yes, this is an excellent site to learn from and grow on.

Jeff

**f5loar** · Mar-10-2011, 9:53pm

the good news is the $50 picks and the $200 strings are not here yet. The bad news is the $200,000 mandolins are here so I see your point in getting a little out of hand. And then there is the MAS. Heaven help you if you catch that uncuriable disease.
You might stop while you are ahead.

**Rayloche** · Mar-10-2011, 10:11pm

Thank you all. I really appreciate the advice and the information. I will try and take it.

**Big Joe** · Mar-10-2011, 10:22pm

Well... you CAN get $50.00 picks if you want, but they are not necessary.

. I don't know about 200.00 strings. I have not seen those... for mandolin. Just stay away from upright bass!

This is a great place to learn and develop relationships with other mando geeks and have a great time in a safe environment. Everyone has a preference about what mandolin, string, and pick they use, as well as a host of other accessories. While these are all cool, they are not necessary to have a great time with your mandolin. Enjoy picking, and learn what you can. Like any website there is a plethora of advice. Some of it is very good, some not so, but on this forum it seems all are at least trying to be helpful.

**f5loar** · Mar-10-2011, 10:35pm

Where can I get a $50 pick? I want one! And don't say real tortise shell either as if I get caught buying one from a federal agent the court cost/lawyer fees to get out of it would be in the $1000s. Besides after BlueChips came out for $35 who needs a real turtle pick anymore?

**catmandu2** · Mar-10-2011, 10:37pm

Originally Posted by Rayloche

Yet, for some reason I fear reading it.

Me too! But, confronting our fears is a good thing!

**Flyboy** · Mar-10-2011, 11:02pm

As a relative newcomer myself, I'll offer you my 2 cents:

There's a lot of discussion on the Cafe about mandolin sound quality or tone. That's the equivalent of your fancy coffee grinder or high-priced beans. In the end, sound quality, like the taste of coffee, is a pretty subjective thing. I would be more focused on making sure whatever mandolin you buy PLAYS well, with a fluid & easy action. This is going to make a lot more difference to your playing prgress than anything else - so make sure you get a reasonable quality mandolin (could be as little as $300 - $400) & ensure that it is WELL SET UP.

Your fingers will thank you for it!