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Thread: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

  1. #26
    Registered User Samuel David Britton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Practice
    Sam

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  2. #27
    MandolaViola bratsche's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    This is very general, but I think important: I learned that there's more than one good way to do just about everything mando-related, and that learning about and/or practicing various approaches is the best way to let one figure out what works the best for oneself.

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  4. #28
    Registered User JH Murray's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    The kind members here have taught me that good tone has more to do with technique than equipment. That good equipment does matter, including choice of strings and picks. When I was negotiating to buy a used mando off kijiji, the members gave me some great advice and insights which made the purchase go smoothly. If you ask him a question, Don Julin will answer you! Thanks for all these great gifts.

  5. #29
    Registered User Miked's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    That wearing a Mandolin Cafe ball cap will transform your playing.

    It is amazing...
    Mike Bloder
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  7. #30
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by JH Murray View Post
    The kind members here have taught me that good tone has more to do with technique than equipment.
    That one reminds me of Michael Lewis who once said to me, "People ask me all the time, 'What can I do to improve the sound of my mandolin?'. Well... Change your strings!". LOL

  8. #31
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by Miked View Post
    That wearing a Mandolin Cafe ball cap will transform your playing.
    Don't forget the Mandolin Cafe T-shirt... so everyone knows what your playing!

  9. #32

    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    To keep my day-job...

  10. #33
    Slow your roll. greg_tsam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    When you have a question search the forums for the answer then post it anyway! haha.
    Breedlove Quartz FF with K&K Twin - Weber Big Horn - Fender FM62SCE
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  11. #34
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by greg_tsam View Post
    When you have a question search the forums for the answer then post it anyway! haha.
    Hey. I resemble that remark! LOL

  12. #35
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Never buy a mandolin without playing it first.

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  14. #36
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Best thing I've learned here, don't give up with the G chop, but be patient. Impatience cost me a cortisone shot and I whined and gave up on the chord. Now, since I've "healed" I'm really starting to get the chord now, even with my small, sixty something hands.

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  16. #37
    Slow your roll. greg_tsam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    The F scroll doesn't make a bit of difference in sound.
    Breedlove Quartz FF with K&K Twin - Weber Big Horn - Fender FM62SCE
    Wall Hangers - 1970's Stella A and 60's Kay Kraft

    Whether you slow your roll or mash on it, enjoy the ride.

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  18. #38
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    If you are going to buy a mandolin, play it first and make sure it is set up by a professional.

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  20. #39
    Registered User granite's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Pickloser's guide to double stops - I now see the G chop cord as a tiny, a two-spacer, and a down tent

    And pretty much anything posted by John McGann.

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  22. #40
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by John Adrihan View Post
    Never buy a mandolin without playing it first.
    Even that might not be enough to avoid a misfit. I'll add to this: Don't upgrade too soon and don't assume F-style is the best way forward.

  23. #41
    Registered User Charley wild's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Not direct advice exactly but it has helped me confirm an attitude which is: pay more attention to my music and less attention to my instrument.

  24. #42

    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by greg_tsam View Post
    The F scroll doesn't make a bit of difference in sound.
    Although I've had a builder of high end mandos tell me that it does make a difference.

  25. #43
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by Charley wild View Post
    Not direct advice exactly but it has helped me confirm an attitude which is: pay more attention to my music and less attention to my instrument.
    That is excellent, and I lose priorities pretty often, so I have to remember this.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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  27. #44
    Lost my boots in transit terzinator's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Lots of great stuff here, and I wanted to mention this document:

    Pickloser's Guide to Double Stops

    Super helpful in learning where all the double stops are and how to move from one to another in a chord progression.

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  29. #45
    Flying Fat Fingers Owner
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    I have learned that my difficulties in learning to play are not just mine but seemingly shared by most. It is encouraging to know I am not just stupid.

  30. #46
    Registered User Jim Ferguson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    No matter how hard you try.......you can never purchase a new mandolin under the nose of your spouse/SO without him/her finding out about it..........
    Jim Ferguson

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  32. #47
    mandolinist, Mixt Company D C Blood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Surprised I haven't seen this on here yet...There is no known cure for MAS...
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  33. #48
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by D C Blood View Post
    There is no known cure for MAS...
    No, but death will at least bring it under control.
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  35. #49
    humble novice 2Sharp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by notred View Post
    I have learned that my difficulties in learning to play are not just mine but seemingly shared by most. It is encouraging to know I am not just stupid.
    ditto; but I still wish I could get better faster than the speed of continental drift...

  36. #50
    Registered User Pasha Alden's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best piece of advice you've learned here at The Cafe

    So much good advice received on mandolin café. However, for me the advice as beginner was very helpful: setup, and not applying too much pressure when forming chords and of course how to play four finger chords.
    The best was probably for me on setup and not overdoing and not too much pressure when holding down strings, especially more than one at a time.
    MAS? Well, the less said the better? Right?

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