Things you practice away from your mandolin.

Hi All,


I'm currently spending a week away from my beloved mandolin on holiday in lovely Tenerife. I was going to bring my old mandolin to play but decided I'd just do lots of listening instead.

I brought my copy of "Mike Marshall's favourite Brazilian Choros" and the "Duets"/Choro Famoso album. I've been picking out the tunes that catch my ear and learning them so I can "internalise them better" following the music is great for this as it seems to provide me with a way of visualising the melody as well as having the Aural aspect.

Other than this I've also been trying to visualise the fretboard saying things like "8 fret A string" then answering with the note, from here I try and visualise "Down a minor 3rd" then "up a Fifth" etc just making it up as I go along.

Anyway, This probably seems like some people's idea of a nightmare whilst on "holiday" but it's just how I like to work ;)

Anyone else have some interesting non physical methods of improving their mandolin playing?

I'm trying to learn notation, so I carry a bunch of home made flash cards with me. Trditional notation on one side, tab and letter name on the other. When ever I have some down time on my commute, I whip them out and practice. Obviously not as good as see the note, play the note, but they're easy to carry around and are helping me.

It's not entirely non-pysical, but it doesn't require a mandolin.

Great idea, I suppose you could then say "F top line of staff" "first fret high E string" then "eight fret A string" etc

Exactly. And you can continue it up the neck. The same "A" on the notation is open 2nd string, 7th fret 3rd string and 14th fret 4th string (I think high to low).

Also, you can break up the cards however you want...learn one string at a atime....learn only the notes "in the spaces" first...heck you could even do it so you learn only the notes in a given key.

Things you practice away from your mandolin?

Restraint.

Sol-Feg (do re mi fa so etc.)

Ear training and theory all at the same time

I found an app that is like flashcards, Fret Surfer Mandolin. It plays a note and you answer what fret/string it is by clicking the correct position on the app. You can adjust the speed of the practice. No affilation.

I had a couple vacations since I got my mandolin, and it bugs me to be away from it. I try to keep my calluses firm by tapping my fingers on my thumbnail. I don't like to lose them! It only takes a few days and the finger tips get soft again (maybe that is just me).
I think of the tune scores in my head, too. And, if no one is listening (or hubby doesn't mind), I sing my practice tunes and songs.
Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks Cecily,


I think singing the tunes you are learning is one of the most important things ANYONE can do!

The banjo.