Mandolin first timer- do I need a teacher?

[PhillipeTaylor]

I started out on my own for a couple of months, but started with a teacher, mainly to get help FOCUSING my practice to reach my goals. I was just biting off too much at a time, worrying about neglecting something. I told him my goals, and he says, "Okay, start with this..." Then, "Okay, now try this..." Very helpful. I know I'm heading towards my goals and I don't have to worry about if I'm neglecting __________. And if I do, I can just ask, "is this leading to __________?" and he can explain how, and if it isn't, he's very amenable to working with what I want to learn.

Jamming was a big goal of mine, and I already did two solos today while jamming with a friend of mine, because I focused on what my teacher suggested, knowing that jamming was one of my goals. My friend, a pro classic rock guy, even commented that I sounded good (yeah!). It just clicked and I knew what to do!

Also, the "bad habit" issue is real, and I know about the danger of practicing bad habits. The advise on line is very contradictory on such things, and I think because it's an issue of context. On the first lesson, he made sure I knew the rules, then I asked him about a situation where I was having trouble with the fingering on a song, at which point he said, "yeah, that's where you need to break the rule and do this..." VERY helpful, knowing when it is appropriate to 'break the rule' and when you just need to apply the rule differently.

[mandolirius]

If that's my worst habit, I think I should be a very content mandolin player

Since the original post I've discovered that a good friend who plays acordian is also a mando player! Potential teacher... or can point me in the right direction.

I have one question regarding instruments. I would need to travel to purchase an instrument, but wouldn't be able to for several months (GAH!). What's the general opinion on freighting instruments. As a cellist I shudder at the thought of shipping a cello. Same for mandolin? Many of the sellers here at the big acoustic centres ship instruments....

I've often wondered about this. Do you mean travel within the country? If the travel is outside of Australia is it because there are no good acoustic instrument shops in the entire country? Not Sidney, Melbourne?

[Ivan Kelsall]

There was a recent thread by another player from Ozz who also wanted a good mandolin.I had a trawl through several Australian music store's sites, & didn't find any instruments that would inspire me to buy. If i remember correctly,the other guy decided to purchase a Kentucky mandolin from one of the US stores. If you were to buy from either The Mandolin Store or Folk Musician,those guys are well versed in shipping overseas. OK,it'll cost more (duty & tax),but you'll get a good instrument that's been well set up. Nothing really worth having comes cheap (unless you're VERY fortunate).I'd save up the extra cash & get as good an instrument as you can afford.Buy from a reputable dealer & you'll get good service & after sales back-up,
Ivan
PS - Give my regards to Ozz. I've got many friends who live 'down under'.

[Brutus1999]

Well, I'm self taught on fingerpicking guitar (not very good but mainly need more practice) and on fingerpicking banjo (a little better). I've been trying to flat pick mandolin since 1979 -- good enough to play along with amateurs, BUT, it's pretty clear that I would greatly benefit from ONE lesson with a serious player/teacher. Just someone to watch me play and say: "No, don't anchor your fingers near the bridge" or "You might be holding the pick too tightly" or "You should arch your fingers more when you make a chord -- it might seem difficult at first, but it will be better in the end" (all mistakes that I think I'm making...). One you get to the point where your stroke and hand positions work -- well, at that point, practice scales and chords and listen to music and try to adapt aspects of other performers that you like -- and you can learn on your own. But if you learn the basics "wrong" (and I know "right" isn't EXACTLY the same for everyone, but there are some basics) -- if you learn the basics wrong, they will become a habit because they might be easier to do the "wrong" way, but will limit your ability to get more proficient.....so, after 33 years, yeah, I'm looking for a half hour lesson ---

[Pete Martin]

You can go to my home page and click on the instruction videos box to find a number of mandolin ergonomic videos I placed on youtube.

I am self taught, but knowing now what I do about ergonomics, wish I could have found a teacher to show me those things when I first started. Think I would be a ways ahead of where I am now...

[Capt. E]

There is a string quartet here in Austin that recently borrowed Casal's Strad cello for some Beethoven quartet recordings. It was picked up in person and driven to Austin from the northeast and returned the same way. Of course, when you are talking about a cello worth millions...