Is mandolin for me?

[morgon]

Hi,

I am thinking about getting a mandoline and would like to clarify a few things before I do, so sorry for posting not just a question but a whole catalogue here...

My background is that I am (almost) 50 years or age and have never played another instrument before.
As a jazz-fan for many decades I have for some some years also discovered a liking for bluegrass music where I discovered the mandoline.

I always wanted to learn an instrument but never got around to it and what I hope to get out of it is not just to be able to play but also a deeper understanding of music in general (I am indeed interested in music theory).

So here are my questions:

1)
Given my background would you recommend the mandoline?

2)
How hard is it? Do you have to put a lot of effort in before you reap the first rewards (ie does it have a very steep learning courve) or do you gradually get better and better?

3)
I intend to take lessons. How much do you need? Would an hour per week be enough?

4)
How do you recognize a good teacher? Some of the mandoline teachers in my area I can find on the internet seem to be mainly guitar teachers that also teach mandoline - is that a good or a bad sign?

5)
How much time do you need to allow for practice? Would 20-30mins per day be enough?

6)
How much of a problem would it be not to be able to practice for some time (2-3 weeks say).
Would you loose a lot or would you pick up where you left?

7)
As far as I have gathered it should be possible to practice the mandoline in a quiet way which would be important to me as I have neighbours and would like to practice late.
Would an electric mandoline be better for that?

8)
What instrument would you recommend? I would be willing to spend around 500 Euros (=500-600 USD). As I don't know anything about it I'd rather not buy something used as I would not be able to assess the quality.

Many thanks!

[Bob byk]

Go for it. I was in the same boat, several years older than you. It is slow however fun. I picked up an Eastman 305 and love it. Hate to say this, but not even a bluegrass fan. Just love the sound of a Mando

[MediumMando5722]

You're overthinking it. If you'd like to play it, do so.

I play an Eastman MD315. It's the F version of the above mentioned MD305. I love it, and either model would be a great choice. They can both be had used for under your budget. New, the 305 would fit in there.

[Denny Gies]

If your motivation is up..............get one. You will have fun, along with sore fingers and frustration until you get comfortable with some songs. Good luck.

[Tobin]

Anybody can learn to play. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. Personally, I don't think that 30 minutes a day is enough to make solid progress in a reasonable time frame, but that's based on my station in life and my expectations. Yours may be different. If you do try to learn, put your soul into it and make it a priority.

I couldn't imagine spending 2-3 weeks away from my instruments. The horror!

[Barry Wilson]

I bought one 3 yrs ago as something to hang on the wall/tinker with and fell in love with the instrument. I know I'll never be as good of a player as many on this forum and I don't care. I have fun... go for it. it is a tiny instrument, easy to pack around and very unique.

I have both acoustic and electric. the electric was the least expensive of all mine (I now own 4)

[T.D.Nydn]

2-3 weeks away from my instrument? No way, I can't do it, I would go into a coma if I went to jail,,I actually feel physically ill if I miss just one day...

[Rick Duvernay]

WARNING ! Taking up the mandolin is an addiction and an obsession. I too started at age 50 from a zero place musically and six years later I am looking forward to graduating from jamming to being in a band.....but that's practicing every day, taking lessons, going to camps, getting out to local jams and eating up all the information I could from this Forum. As to your question about taking a break from playing, I had to go without any mando last summer when I took a three week backpack trip and I just couldn't justify carrying one that long and far. Anyway, after my three week break and it came right back to me like riding a bike.

[gtani7]

some answers:

8) There's buyers guides. Look for an instrument dealer that's a specialist in acoustic strings. There's not much risk if you buy a name brand instrument used in good condition, if you don't like it, you can probably sell for same price.

Mandolin players are easy to befriend IMO. You could probably get one to explain basic chords and tunes so you can play something at a music shop, or test play instruments for you

7) you can just stuff a washcloth under the bridge, or mute with your picking hand. Electrics are fun but a lot of them are only single string courses.

3) Hour /week of lessons would be great, a great motivator. Just talk to the instructor to see if there's a concrete lesson/progression plan, how he/she explain left hand/RH mechanics, the genre of music you'll learn, written and recorded materials they'll give you etc. An hour every couple weeks is fine too

Basically, the first chord you hit might get you totally committed to the instrument, the sound, the looks etc. It did for me.

It might not tho. Mandolin's not an easy instrument. Alternate picking, string tension, compared to any other string instrument, all the LH shapes and switches you have to make fast

[Nate Lee]

Hi Morgon,

I'm so glad you've discovered the mandolin! Here are my thoughts on your questions:

1) Yes! Your age doesn't matter. Research shows that your brain keeps it's plasticity, or ability to learn up to age 60 and beyond.

2) The mandolin has a fairly quick beginning curve compared to other stringed instruments. With proper instruction, you will be picking individual strings and playing chords in your first lesson.

3) I am a professional teacher, and I've found that most beginners do ok with a half hour lesson, with 45 minutes being ideal. An hour can sometimes be too long for a beginner, because you can only learn so much at once when you first start out.

4) The best way to find a good teacher is to talk to other people about their experiences with a given teacher. If the teacher has YouTube videos or other material that you can check out, it will help you figure out if they any good or not. I recommend steering clear of teachers who don't play mandolin as their main instrument. A good teacher who is a mandolin master will save you years of frustration. Many students who can't find a teacher in their area have moved to taking live online lesson via Skype. For most, it's better to get expert instruction online than mediocre instruction in person. There was a thread discussing this recently, and you should be able to find it in the archive.

5) 20-30 minutes of practice a day is a great start. The most important thing is that you spend your practice time playing as carefully and accurately as possible. This will help you develop good habits and save you a lot of time and frustration. A good teacher will help immensely. There is a book called "The Practice of Practice" by Jonathan Harnum that is a great way to learn good practice habits.

6) Not practicing for weeks is not ideal, but it won't ruin everything. This stuff is supposed to be fun, and not everybody is training to be a professional or a contest winner. You may may find that the mandolin is quite addicting though and it's also really easy to bring with you if you go out of town.

7) This depends a lot on the mandolin you have, and how quiet you need to be. An electric mandolin is probably not the best option unless playing electric mandolin is your musical goal. The technique is slightly different between acoustic and electric.

8) There are others on this forum who will know a lot more about entry level instruments than I do. I started out on a Kentucky KM675 that served me well for years. That might be a good place to start.

Take a look at the classifieds in the "lessons" section and you will find a number of very qualified teachers. Most of them are in the US, but you may find some who are in your neck of the woods. When choosing your teacher, ask yourself these things:

1) Does this person actually enjoy teaching, or are they just doing to make money? Some people are great pickers, but when it comes to teaching, they have absolutely no interest, and that affects the quality of your instruction.

2) Does this person enjoy music? Seems like a stupid question, but you'd be surprised how many teachers are totally burnt out on music.

3) What are their credentials? Did they just start teaching yesterday?

4) Does this person teach the style of music I want to play?

I'm sure others will have lots more to ad to this. Good luck on your mandolin journey!

[Timbofood]

As "Tuco" (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly) said:
"If you're going to shoot, shoot! Don't talk about it"
Go get one and abandon all hope!

[jaycat]

Yes, Morgon, it is.

[DHopkins]

You're overthinking it. If you'd like to play it, do so.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Stacey Morris]

Welcome to the forum, Morgon. I am older than you and just starting.

[Bill Clements]

Welcome to the Cafe.

Just do it.

[Gary Leonard]

1. Yes (I was similar, age 51, mandolin was my first musical instrument)
2. It is as hard as you make it. As long as you are getting what you want from playing music, it will be easy.
3. 30-40 minute lesson a week is plenty I think. I you get sent home with a song or two to practice, that will take up the rest of your week.
4. A good teacher is one who works with you, and guides you. Try one lesson, and see if they are a good fit with you. Someone who stresses the basics (good posture, proper technique, proper pick direction) and keeps you in line.
5. 30 mins day is good. If you like it, it will be more than 30 minutes!
6. Take your holiday, and comeback to the mandolin. Tunes you just learned prior to the time off may be hard to remember, but should come back easy enough if you have practiced them long enough to let muscle memory set in.
7. You can get a lot of practice in playing quiet at night. I did a lot of that. But you need to watch it, that can lead to bad habits (like your downstrokes sounding much louder than your upstrokes). Balance the quiet night playing with full out open string exercises, practicing up/down strokes, finger exercises at full volume.
8. There is a lot of information on this site to help with that. You can get a lot more value for your euros buying used, but make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer or seller.

Good luck, you will enjoy this!

[Al Trujillo]

1) I never learned how to play an instrument until I bought my mandolin at 59. Easier to pick one up than to regret never doing it.
2) Up until you begin to like what you hear it can be frustrating but the fun outweighs everything else. I get lost in my playing now and I haven't had this much fun in a long time.
3) Lessons are the most valuable thing I've done to improve my playing. My lessons last between 45-60 minutes each week. If I could afford it I'd take 2-1hour lessons each week. Playing is addictive.
4) My teacher is a superb guitarist but he's never played a mandolin. We've become good friends and his passion for music is infectious. So much better if you could find a mandolin instructor though. One just isn't available near me. Because he loves stringed instruments I'm happy to have found him.
5) I try to play 30-60 minutes a day and sometimes it turns into 2 hours. I find myself missing it when I can't play. It is an addiction. A good one though!
6) I would be miserable if I went a couple weeks without playing!! Personally, I think I would regress if I didn't play for that long.
7) I can play my acoustic loud or as quiet as I want. I've never played an electric but I have to think their primary purpose is to play LOUD.
8) The best advice I was given when asking this same question is this - 'Buy the mandolin that inspires you to play it.' I bought a wonderful Weber that plays wonderfully...and it's so beautiful that I am inspired to hold it and play it as much as I can.

Best wishes on your journey.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Chris Bowman got it in one shot - You're over thinking !. If you have the inclination to play a mandolin,buy a decent one & a tutor book & get started. If you think about it too long,you'll find a 100 reasons 'not to'. One thing,don't buy a real ''cheapo'' instrument.In the event that you decide it really isn't for you,you'll be able to sell a decent one far easier than a bad one. The next thing to do is to decide your price range,so come back to us on that one. Although i had played banjo for many years,i got my first mandolin at age 60,so,age isn't a factor unless it affects your physical abilities,
Ivan

[mandocrucian]

[Bertram Henze]

As "Tuco" (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly) said:
"If you're going to shoot, shoot! Don't talk about it"
Go get one and abandon all hope!

That's right. Life is too short not to play the mandolin.

[Austin Bob]

Welcome to the cafe.

I echo what others have said: If you want to take up the mandolin, go for it!

I'm not sure where you are located, but my advice would be to go to the main page of this forum, and look through the sponsors and call a few to find one in your price range. You will get MUCH more bang for the buck by picking an A model over an F. You can also find used ones in the classifieds, sometimes at a very good deal.

Finding a good teacher can sometimes be trial and error. Good players don't always make good teachers, and vice versa. But it is important not to start out with bad habits. Simple things, like how you hold the pick, left hand positing, etc. can be extremely important. There is also a ton of stuff out there on YouTube if you search for it. Some are better than others.

How much to practice depends on your goals. If you really want to play bluegrass in a jam session, and eventually maybe a band, you will have to commit to a lot of practice. Usually an hour per day is recommended, especially if you're taking lessons. Nothing is worse than paying good money for lessons, only to show up for the next one not having practiced the previous week's material. I've been there, so I know.

On the other hand, there are lots of songs you can play along with a guitar using only two and three fingered chords. If you're looking for a casual way to enjoy and make music, that might be a good first goal.

Playing with others is the best way to improve. Look for a local jam session in your area. Just show up and listen for a while. You will likely find other players who will be willing to help.

Finally, have fun. Most of us can still remember the first time we played live with other players and actually made music. It's a real thrill, even if all you do is play three chord songs.

[Br1ck]

Most folk type instruments are relatively easy to learn simple songs on. Three chords on a mandolin will be fairly easy. Then things get really interesting.

One of the good things about playing music is that you don't have to be good to enjoy playing, and if you enjoy playing you will get better and better which will make you enjoy it more. Then the issue becomes playing so much people will think you're obsessed. Screw them.

[dschonbrun]

Absolutely, it's a great instrument and can play any style of music, including Jazz. Your time allowance is very reasonable, 30 mins a day and a 45 min less once per week is just fine. Mandolins are compact and so you can travel with them... you may not need to be away from it for several weeks... bring it with you. The finger callouses, micro-movements, ear training, and micro-timing need maintenance. You may find you don't want to be away from the instrument for very long if you truly enjoy it.

I travel with mine on business trips and spend 20-30 mins in the hotel playing before or after dinner. You can mute a mandolin, but learning to play softly by managing your right and left hand technique is a worthwhile exercise. Playing loud is easy... playing softly, yet clearly is actually more challenging.

Get an A style to start, nothing crazy expensive... spend a year playing and practicing, and find out what you like. After that, you can always trade up for something more aligned to exactly what you like. Jazz Mando players often get a slightly wider nut (1&3/16) to allow room for clean 4-finger chords. You shouldn't worry about that right now... a standard nut would be fine to begin.

Best of luck,
David

[JeffD]

Hi,

I am thinking about getting a mandoline and would like to clarify a few things before I do, so sorry for posting not just a question but a whole catalogue here...

Good questions all.

1)
Given my background would you recommend the mandoline?

I would. Mandolin or piano. They are both rather straight forward to learn and represent music in a very logical less arbitrary way. Guitar by example, it seems to me, has a lot about it that is just the way it is and has nothing to do with nothing. Violin, as an example, has, it seems to me, some real physical skills to accomplish, motor skills that are must be learned before you can get anything musical out of it.

2)
How hard is it? Do you have to put a lot of effort in before you reap the first rewards (ie does it have a very steep learning courve) or do you gradually get better and better?]

I don't know anything worth doing that doesn't require a lot of effort. That might just be me and my life however.

But that said I think learning curve is less steep than other instruments, and rewards are not saved till the end but come along the way almost immediately.

3)
I intend to take lessons. How much do you need? Would an hour per week be enough?

4)
How do you recognize a good teacher? Some of the mandoline teachers in my area I can find on the internet seem to be mainly guitar teachers that also teach mandoline - is that a good or a bad sign?

Lessons are great at first, and the more frequently the better.

You do want, when ever possible, a mandolin teacher, not a guitar teacher who teaches mandolin.

5)
How much time do you need to allow for practice? Would 20-30mins per day be enough?

You will be rewarded in proportion to your effort, of course. If you can manage 20 to 30 mins a day I would go for it. Many many folks can't get that in. If you can get behind your mandolin a little every day that itself is doing a lot.

6)
How much of a problem would it be not to be able to practice for some time (2-3 weeks say).
Would you loose a lot or would you pick up where you left?

At first it would hurt more than later, when you have a lot of time put in. Really, it would be best if you could commit to regular practice, and regular playing with others, as frequently as possible, until the rewards are so overwhelming that two things happen 1 - you find you cannot stand being away from the mandolin, and 2-your life re-arranges itself to make mandolinning essential. At that point, a two week gap may not have a large impact, but it will feel like hell. The more you regret not being able to play, the less immediate impact it will have. Something like that.

7)
As far as I have gathered it should be possible to practice the mandoline in a quiet way which would be important to me as I have neighbours and would like to practice late. Would an electric mandoline be better for that?

I think learning to play quietly is important, and an electric mandolin is different enough instrument that I would not pursue it unless electrics is specifically what you are going after.

8)
What instrument would you recommend? I would be willing to spend around 500 Euros (=500-600 USD). As I don't know anything about it I'd rather not buy something used as I would not be able to assess the quality.

There are a metric ton of threads on this very topic, from all kinds of perspectives. A little rummaging through them will pay off gigantically, even as it confuses you immensely.


Go for it. It is a grand adventure worthy of every effort. Welcome to our obsession.

[Roger Moss]

I wouldn't be so quick to discount used instruments. Browse through the classifieds here on this website. You might find something that catches your eye. Most of us adore our instruments and treat them like princesses. They are more likely than most to be both well loved and well setup.