Best learning done so far

[pettyman]

http://jazzmando.com/ffcp.shtml

This resource from jazzmando has helped me no-end - my fourthh finger is starting to build up both strength and positioning.

Also helping me learn the scales - which is always good!

Just thought I would share that - probably been linked a thousand times but hey!

Matt

[glauber]

Oh yes, this and the "Aonzo Family Scales" are my daily practice thing.

[pettyman]

Yeah they are in my "plan" but not quite getting them yet - i mean I understand what is going on but the sound coming out of my mando aint nice enough to put my family through yet - let alone my flatmate at uni so I am working up my fourth finger strength with these for a week or two and then I will encorporate the aonzo scales!!!!

Matt

[Dylan Hatch]

FFcP Rocks! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

I'll add my recommendation to yours on this- absolutely fantastic way to condition that fourth finger and familiarize myself with the entire fretboard.

I'm a complete beginner, but I'm really happy with progress so far, and FFcP has a lot to do with it.

Thanks Ted!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Aonzo family scales- are those on jazzmando?

[pettyman]

http://mandozine.pmachinehosting.com/index.php/techniques/techinfo/aonzo_family_scales/

Just completed my first full run through them - and they sounded ok - slow but each note sounded nicely - woooh!

There's something exciting about learning when things start to come together!

Matt

[Ted Eschliman]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. What I like about the FFcP approach is not just the physical (strength, dexterity, fretboard familiarity) but if done properly, the mental. A whole syllabus of music theory is right there in the exercise if you are concentrating on where you are in the key. All in a daily warmup...

Scott posted Part 2 for me in his Lessons section recently:
Moving on Up (http://www.mandolincafe.com/eschliman2.html)
This is an excerpt from a book Mel Bay will be putting out later this year.

Also check out the December mandolin sessions.com for a real chopbuilder: Three Four Pull (http://www.mandolinsessions.com/dec05/jazz.html)

[glauber]

http://mandozine.pmachinehosting.com/index.php/techniques/techinfo/aonzo_family_scales/

Just completed my first full run through them - and they sounded ok - slow but each note sounded nicely - woooh!

What im doing with the Aonzo scales now, is i do different modes (dorian, myolidian, etc). Once your fingers memorize the patterns, its a breeze. Im looking forward to doing Teds new fingertwisters too, im printing them right now. (sorry, something wrong with the apostrophe in my computers keyboard!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[pettyman]

Ted's new fingertwisters?

Where do I find them?

Ah - good thinking on the aonzo's - have to put my head into working them out in different modes now - anyone already got it written out by any chance??

[Dylan Hatch]

Here's a question- add more scales, or focus on one system for now?

I'm working with FFcP, and it's great. #Ted has a very strong point- the theory lessons in FFcP are eventually going to be the biggest benefit. #At this point, I'm such a newbie that I'm concentrating mostly on the mechanics involved, but the patterns repeated as I work the scales through several octaves are starting to make theory more tangible and less frustrating than it's ever been for me before.

At this time, my biggest frustration is squeezing enough practice time into my life. #I've practiced the 4 positions through a couple of octaves for all the scales starting on frets 1-8. #I've done that a fair amount- they're feeling pretty smooth, and tone has improved dramatically. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #At this point, I've only practiced the Ionian Mandology patterns for the third finger position. #I'm being slow and thorough before I move on- I've started singing the notes along to the patterns. (I think it is Niles Hokkanen who I heard teaches his students that way?)

I'm definitely interested in the Aonzo family scales,(itching to get at them, actually) but I'm wondering if I should wait until I've done some more Ionian Mandology, maybe even some Moving On Up, before I start adding in a different system of scales. #At this point I'm managing to get an average of 1/2 hour a day of practice- would I be confusing things to diversify now?

[James P]

Here's a question- add more scales, or focus on one system for now?
Well if no one else'll take it, I'll RSVP. #

First of all, my recommendation would be not to work on scales until you've read John McGanns left hand tips. (http://www.johnmcgann.com/techtips.html) #This'll save ya from having to go to jail for three months somewhere done the line. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

But to your question, I'd move on to the other finger patterns first. #Then you can do a modified Aonzo, moving up chromatically by changing fingers rather than shifting. #IMO, the FFcP and the Aonzo are about all the scales beginners like us would ever need. #Next we've got to tackle arreggios!

What would be the FFcP of arpeggios? #
And what did the pirate hate to practise?

(oops thanks!)

[MandoJon]

The URL in James' post is broken. Here's the link again: John McGann (http://www.johnmcgann.com/techtips.html)

I had a look but be careful because he seems to be talking about guitars, so note that the one finger one fret rule is for guitars but the mandolin is one finger two frets.

The piece of advice that I have to relearn is KEEP THE FINGERS DOWN! I'm paying the price of years of not doing this and I hit the wall a long time ago.

[Ted Eschliman]

What would be the FFcP of arpeggios? #
Here's just a teaser:
Maj 7 Arpeggios (http://www.tannah.net/ted/proof/Maj7Arp.pdf) in all 12 keys.
(More to follow in an upcoming book.)