Advice on finding someone in my area for lessons

[Jsloan]

Hello everyone, just a quick backstory. I started playing mando about a year and a half ago. I have a km-150, for now getting the job done. I have pretty much searched high and low for someone around here that gives lessons. I know of very few mandolin players and none have been willing to give lessons. I have learned a lot in that time from YouTube and on here. I have played for a year and a half and never played with another mandolin player. The odd thing is, I live in Kentucky, you would think mando players would fall from the sky, however I guess they all died here or in my area lol any advice would be appreciated.

[colorado_al]

Where are you located in KY? That would help a lot

[Jsloan]

Laurel County I don’t have many contacts in this area as far as Bluegrass. Just started getting into it about a year and half ago.

[David Lewis]

I can't recommend anyone, except if you have skype, Mike Compton improved my playing immensely. What I was going to say though is make sure you get a teacher who plays mandolin, not a guitarist who thinks 'they're all the same'... Listening to Thile, Hull, Grisman, Burns, Duffey, McCoury, they don't play it like a guitar. (Bush is a slight exception, but only because he doesn't have the wrist movement since breaking his wrist a couple of decades back - it still doesn't sound like a guitar, though). So make sure they are primarily mandolin, or at least know the difference. THis shouldn't be too hard in Kentucky.

[colorado_al]

How far are you from Richmond? Maybe a student in the music school at EKU might be available for mandolin lessons.
It's worth a call to see if they have anyone there who teaches on the side or tutors music. They also likely have contacts in the area.
Also, if there are any bluegrass jams in your area, you should go and talk to other musicians there and see if any of them would teach you or have info on teachers in the area

[bigskygirl]

Decide who you like to listen to and then contact him/her. Most pros give Skype lessons now and if you don’t jive then move on and find another and I agree with David Lewis, above all find a mandolin player for lessons.

Have fun!

[Jsloan]

I understand what you mean. By make sure they are a mandolin player. I am 40 miles from Richmond. May give that a shot.

[allenhopkins]

Robby's Music in London of any help?

[Jsloan]

Not when I asked last year

[Louise NM]

Bulletin boards at the local music store will often have flyers about lessons.

[Jsloan]

Not for mandolin here, it is maddening. Lol

[A-board]

What I was going to say though is make sure you get a teacher who plays mandolin, not a guitarist who thinks 'they're all the same

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've always been puzzled by "playing the mandolin like a guitar." What's that mean?

[Erok]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've always been puzzled by "playing the mandolin like a guitar." What's that mean?

There are a lot of demos and reviews on the web with some guy playing open chords and strumming the mandolin like a guitar. IMHO.