Hi, folks. Having just gotten my hands on an octave, I just wanted to say hello here. I've only recently taken up any sort of mandolin, after over fifteen years away from playing any music (and back then I was an electric bass player-a bit of a change of direction, I know). I bought a cheap beginner mandolin about a month back (having always loved the sound), and with the help of youtube and the internet in general, started to practise a few scales and tunes. Then, one day I came across a video of some octave mandolin playing - (Jim Richter doing a pink floyd song Goodbye Blue Sky) and was simply blown away with the rich sound and just knew this was the instrument I wanted to play. So here I am, with a Celtic Star octave I've picked up second-hand, eager to learn and just a little bit overwhelmed with how much I have to learn and not entirely sure what to tackle first...but really looking forward to the journey.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the bigger mandolins - before too long you may be eyeing a bouzouki too! As you have acquired a Celtic Star instrument may I suggest that you look at Scottish/Irish/Celtic music as a possible source of tunes to play. i am biased, of course, but feel that our tunes just lend themselves so well to being interpreted on the octave mandolin. I especially enjoy pipe tunes played on it, but it is also a great instrument for vocal accompaniment. Have fun with whatever you decide to play.
Thanks, John..who knows, one day when I feel I'm worthy enough I may give you a call and ask you to make me one of your fine-looking instruments ! I'm Irish myself, and indeed intend to play quite a bit of celtic music, although I don't intend to limit myself...I've a list of stuff I want to learn that includes stuff like the Tennessee and Marino Waltzes, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, anything from the Transatlantic Sessions TV series...well, it's a long list I can't see ever getting finished.