In another thread, I offered to lead a study group going through Brad Laird's Mandolin Master Class together - not as a teacher but as a fellow student. This is the thread that begins that journey.
If you need to purchase your copy of the study text, click on the image:
From the title page of Mandolin Master Class:
A study of mandolin practice techniques, scales, improvisation ideas, and music theory designed for mandolin students who have a basic understanding of reading tablature, chord charts and basic mandolin technique and are interested in taking their playing to a higher level.
Each new lesson will get its own thread, and will be cross-linked to this central thread, so that finding all the lessons and following them in order will be possible at any time.
STUDY GROUP GUIDELINES
While anyone can follow along with study group posts, and make comments (that's the whole point of doing it in a forum group, so it will be open and accessible to anyone at any time), I'm going to post a list of requirements for full participation.
For full participation, the requirements are:
1. A mandolin in handNo-brainer: You'll want to play through and practice all the examples in the book. This will be primarily chords and scales. The only way to learn will be with your fingers on your mandolin.
2. A copy of the ebookAnother no-brainer: This is a study group using Mandolin Master Class by Bradley Laird as a text. While I suspect that anyone can follow these threads and gain something, and participate in some way, obviously you can't really do all the assignments without the textbook. Get a copy ASAP.
3. A metronome (metronome tracks are included in the ebook download!)Yes, we will make constant use of your evil friend, the metronome in this study group. What's more, use of the evil gnome will begin very soon, within the first few lessons. Watch for the gnome!
4. A tunerPlease use a tuner and have your mandolin in tune while you practice. What you hear and feel will be as important as where you put your fingers on the mandolin.
Optional, and strongly encouraged accessories:
1. A means to record and upload videoSome of the assignments will ask you to upload a progress video. Even when not asked, all participants are encouraged to share videos of their progress. It will be to your advantage to learn how to do this if you don't already know how.
2. Tabledit program or tabledit viewerThe tabledit program is a strong tool for making a written record of lessons and of your own musical ideas. For those who do not wish to purchase tabledit, there is a free tabledit viewer that allows you to read and use the files. Some lessons will ask you to submit tabledit files. Even when not asked, all participants are encouraged to share tabledit files of their musical ideas, or practice routines they develop while going through this course of study.
3. A printed copy of ebookPrinting the ebook is a good idea, because you can write notes in the margin. Obviously this is an old-school way. It's what I do, it's not required, this is a suggestion.
4. A music standAgain, this is something you can do without, but I'd strongly recommend using one. There is a reason they've been used all these years. It gets your notebook, sheet music, device, whatever your learning material, it gets it at eye level and ready for pretty much hands-free use.
IN THE BEGINNING . . .
Ready to start already? Got your ebook now? The first thing I'd suggest doing is to read through the book. This will be the one time you need not use your mandolin, just read the book, don't get bogged down, just "cheat" a little and get a good preview of what's coming. Links to all group lesson assignments will be added in the next post.