Giving up mandolin!?

[neal]

Hey Rick, just wait a few.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjtz6nZKD8A New Pono line, 299 tenor.

[JEStanek]

You can always combat lack of skill with volume.... and alcohol.

Jamie

[journeybear]

Originally Posted by JEStanek

You can always combat lack of skill with volume.... and alcohol.

That sounds like the "We ain't good, but we're loud" philosophy espoused (humorously, I hope) by Ron Thomason of Dry Branch Fire Squad.

[jim simpson]

I could see a banjolin or resonator mandolin for this band. I hope you make enough for a ploughman's lunch!

[mandocrucian]

Best of luck....

Contrary to Cafe belief, plunking the mando isn't the same as checking into the Hotel California.

If it's time to move on, then it's the right time. Nothing wrong with changing instruments; not everyone is destined to be a "mando player". (to quote Adrian Monk: "It's a blessing....and a curse".)

For example there are a lot of folks here on the Cafe who congratulate themselves for dumping the guitar, or other instrument, in favor of the mando.

Drums are fun; wind instruments are OK too and different (finally - lots of sustain and control over shaping the note). (It's not a bassoon, but I spend a fair amount of time with a concert flute in hand.) I can see/understand fiddle as being an upgrade in terms of expressive capabilites - harder to learn, but with much wider horizons as the payoff. (Don't really see the uke thing myself, but that doesn't matter a bit.)

If this is the right move for you, you'll know it. You'll find yourself thinking about playing mando less and less, until it's like some ex-girlfriend from the past who rarely ever flits across your conscious mind. And if separation doesn't work, you'll just have to kiss and make up with your old mando (or your new mando).

Whether it's taking up a different instrument, or some other (non-musical) activity, it's still essentially the same sort of thing.

Yard Photos
More yard photos
So at times I turn into Groundskeeper Willie. Doesn't bother me in the slightest that I'm out building some fancy trellis, or a bridge across the creek or mowing the grass (the flowers and plants are my wife's dept.). There's a section on the creek that runs on that back side of the property with a lot of raspberries, and I'm going to construct a 12-16' long PVC allee and have a tunnel of raspberries dangling above the stream - if my mental visualization is right on, hopefully it'll look like something out of a Monet or Tiffany stained glass panel.

Music isn't the only path to trancing out.

NH

[Rick Cadger]

Originally Posted by Tim2723

Rick, I didn't recognize you. Sorry.

Ah, yeah. I see what happened. I was wearing a hat when I typed that. I look different with a hat.

...


Oh, and I switched usernames when Scott invited us to use our real ones a while back.

[Rick Cadger]

Originally Posted by neal

Hey Rick, just wait a few.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjtz6nZKD8A New Pono line, 299 tenor.

Thanks for the heads-up on that new Pono, Neal. Shame I'm in the UK - too far to buy from MGM. He's got such a good rep at UU.

I never heard of that wood. Looks and sounds nice though. Once I do sell the Bovier I'm pretty sure it will be either Pono or Kala.

Originally Posted by JEStanek

You can always combat lack of skill with volume.... and alcohol.

Jamie

Yup. It's how I've got through so far Especially the alcohol...


@ mandocrucian:
I've got a friend you'd love. She is a sculptor and she does stuff with both cut and growing willow and hazel. Really great work. I'm building her a website at the moment...

[Philphool]

Originally Posted by mandocrucian

Best of luck....
...
If it's time to move on, then it's the right time. Nothing wrong with changing instruments; not everyone is destined to be a "mando player".
NH

Niles is being way too sane!

Seriously. I watched the videos on your website, Rick; it looks like you guys are having loads of fun. Go with your heart. Life is short. The mando will still be here if you need to come back.
Best of life to you always.

[journeybear]

Originally Posted by mandocrucian

Music isn't the only path to trancing out.

So true. And even while one is involved with music in general and mandolins in particular, it's good to remember there are other aspects of life worth devoting oneself to. Thank you for sharing a glimpse into some other products of your devotion and skill. Very nice work, indeed.

I wonder - is there a Trellis Forum somewhere?