A beginner needing some help...

[MelissaS]

Hello
# I just got my first mandolin yesterday. This is my first string instrument...I'm not really sure were to start...does anyone have any ideas...what are some good books, cds, or tips...any help would be great...Thank You http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[banjomanva]

Mel Bay makes some decent books for beginners, (to learn the chords, etc.)and you can pick them up at almost any music store. There are some wonderful sites on the web also that will teach you chord progressions, tab reading, etc. Hope you enjoy your new mando!!!!

[Steve Cantrell]

Melissa,
I would order Roland White's book. It has some great fiddle tune standards and two versions of each tune recorded on a CD--one slow, one fast. It was great when I started out. Good luck!

[Jonathan James]

Ditto on Steven's Roland White recommendation. It was my first book and the best to date. The book combined with the slow/fast CDs really help. Plus, it is a great feeling when you can keep up the speedy versions of songs, and you will if you work at it.

[Flatpick]

Buy a metronome, you can get a Whittner windup one on Ebay for about $15. Very important to learn timing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

James

[Stephanie Reiser]

I liked Chris Thile's Homespun tape. Although he does dazzle you with his wizardry, he also shows some good excersizes, and some really simple tunes as well as scales. Having studied both piano and clasical guitar, I am a firm believer in learning to play scales. Kinda boring, I know, but they really teach you the fretboard and are great for 'warming up'.
Check back in some time in the future and please give us a progress report.

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

I was in your exact same situation two years ago....

There is no (good) substitute for an instructor if you are at ground zero.

Save yourself frustration & aggravation and get expert advice from the start. The tape/DVD/CD can’t correct mistakes, offer alternatives methods or tailor the advice to you and your problems/abilities.

Besides, someone else to watch/play with will provide inspiration. They will also have other students who will need folks to play with-chances are your instructor will “host” a jam etc.

Chris

[groveland]

I second the 'get an instructor' idea. #It actually sounds like you play some non-string instrument, as mandolin is your first STRING instrument. #Even though you might not be 'at ground zero' so to speak, an instructor can draw a whole lot of parallels to your other instrument that a CD or book may not.

Oh, and there are some tips on how chords are made on mandolin, here (http://www.grovelandsoftwarelabs.com/modeexplorerweb/home/lessons/mandolin/chords.aspx).

(And of course, there's all this free info on the Cafe.)

[OdnamNool]

Hey groveland!

I checked out your tips, there. That is some very useful information. Thanks for sharing!

[MelissaS]

Thank you for the tips....I'll let you know how I do....thankz again http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jesse5300]

Ive been playing the mandolin for 10 years now and i had to practically teach my self. my dad showed me the basic G, C, and D and i had to learn from there. I longed for someone that knew how to play a mandolin so i agree, find an instructor. Fortunately for me though almost everyone in my family plays some kinda musical instrument ;)