Re: I bought an Octave! Now what?
They make those in both short and long scale versions. Which is yours?
It doesn’t matter that much for playing technique, just how easily it plays. Biggest thing you have to remember, don’t play it like a big mandolin, even though that’s what it is. On a mandolin, the majority of your fingers are responsible for two frets. For example in first position, index plays frets 1 and 2, middle finger 3 and 4, ring finger 5 and 6, and pinkie 7. You can do all of that without having to move your hand. On an octave, the wider fret spacing will usually allow for only one fret per finger. So, in first position, index does 2, middle 3, ring 4, and pinkie 5. To go down to fret 1 or up above 5 you move your hand. Very much like guitar single note playing. Additionally, mandolin left hand position does better if you angle (point) your fingers towards the bridge, like playing a violin. Octave left hand generally keeps the fingers more at a right angle to the board. Again, much like guitar.
There will be those who will check in here and disagree with me, as they usually do when this subject comes up. “Well, I play it just like it was a big mandolin, with the same technique, and I do just fine! In fact I play it in a band, get paid, etc.”. Or someone will say “So and so, in the famous Irish Trad band Blarney Blah Blah, doesn’t do it that way.!” Whatever. I believe the majority of people play the way I outlined above. But there’s always more than one way to do anything.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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