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The world of music is enormous but like all things that are huge, it's easier to get a handle on something by breaking it down into smaller increments. You seem to already know what you don't want --...

Welcome to the world of mandolin and the cafe!

Another suggestion to go to a session, whether you can play the tunes at all, or play them at speed. Tutoring and learning one-on-one is good, but there's nothing like seeing a working session to see...

to cull from other suggestions: you don't have to play every note; you don't need to play ornaments; mandolin is normally quieter than the fiddles, so if you make a mistake, nobody can actually hear...

I don't have any advice except that sometimes you need to just take a break, play something entirely different and then come back to it, although I don't have any real suggestions on timing.

In addition to adding my 2 cents about double checking your mandolin technique (which, as was mentioned, is not guitar technique -- case in point, it's good guitar technique to hold your hand...

Individual capacity for alcohol varies and so do the effects. So it's not a one-size-fits all kind of thing. I spent some time as a bartender when I was in college, and my experience was that your...

anecdotally, my bandolims are noticeably deeper than my snake or Eastman and they seem to have a warmer tone and longer sustain/ring. Just a note from someone who doesn't study this stuff.

you'd probably get more attention to this if you create a new post under either 'looking for information about mandolins' or 'vintage instruments.' Just a suggestion.

Also, Musician's Friend normally has a $99 mandolin if you're up for spending that kind of money.

Also a reminder that often crops up in these strings: a mandolin is not a little guitar played upsidedown. it is a separate instrument with its own history, technique, strengths, weaknesses and...

i agree with amanda if the point is to stand out in the crowded session; tenor banjo can be heard over a lot of stuff, as can a banjolin, and i've found that expressive playing in the middle of a...

That's the book that got me into ITM. We had the initial book with the little red plastic record and, when we loaned it to someone and they walked off with it, we got the version with the CD. It's...

The people on this site are really a treasure -- their experience and helpfulness are without parallel!

do you plan on playing plugged in? sometimes it's better to get a better instrument and then use a bridge mike or other option to upgrade the electronics, kind of separate the two and get the best...

Judging by the packaging, i'd think this was targeted to the Real MANdo in the pack. i guess i'll just have to retire with my bowlback and use products that rely heavily on pink to sell.

One of our fiddlers makes limberjacks and when he's got an audience, he'll put down the fiddle and make the man dance. it's great to have it as part of our gigs. the one he normally uses for our...

putting in my oar a week late ... but don't hesitate to attend the jam simply as a listener without your instrument. For one thing, it will help you familiarize yourself with the regulars, their...

There's Acadia trad camp -- you can attend classes and sessions and concerts and whatnot but you may be able to just hang and play in your room or outside; you can reach out to them and see if they...

just a suggestion that what you hear and what you sound like could very well be different, so if you're doing an a/b test to see which pick works best, have another ear along to help out. and be...

glad to have you! enjoy the journey!

well, if you don't order it, in 2 years you'll still be 70 but without a cool mandolin.

I started on a Suzuki bowlback and was perfectly happy learning on one -- especially because I'm fairly small myself and the scale length suited me. OTOH, I put it away for a few decades with medium...

Welcome to you and your daughter to the crazy world of mandolin!

So sorry to see this -- condolences to his many friends, family and those who only knew him through the cafe.