There isnt a formal introduction thread (that I saw), so I figured I would introduce myself briefly, and explain why I am here.
My name is Bill, I live in MA (in the US), am JUST shy of 50, work as a 911 dispatcher. I have some musical experience, being a bagpiper, which I started playing in 2007, and have not played for a couple years now.
I decided that, during the current climate, it would be a good time to learn something new. Having a near lifelong passion for Celtic music, I decided I wanted to learn mandolin. I was torn between mandolin and banjo, and, to be honest, my work environment drove my decision. I can easily transport a mandolin, and, as I work alone, but in the same building that my FD sleeps in, the mando is a more mellow tone . Having limited music reading ability (I can read bagpipe sheet music, but learn better from ear), I am going to try to learn the tableture system (possibly wrong terminology).
Also, I am left handed, which, although in bagpipes, this is irrelevant (I went into that with ZERO musical ability, and my instructor asked me if I wanted to play lefty-I told him I had no idea what I was doing, so whatever was easiest for him-so I play the normal way), it was hard to find an affordable mando that is left handed. I ended up finding a Gold Tone GM50 for a couple hundred, which, after reading several reviews, I was OK parting with.
I look forward to this journey. Having plenty of down time at work to play will make practicing easier. Having the disciplinary practice from playing the pipes, I can easily work a 20 minute session in practicing one chord, or whatever (lord knows I have countless hours doing single embellishments-they even have entire books dedicated to those in the piping world).
My ultimate goal, of course, is to play for others. But, the mando is something that I can play alone, or in a close, small group, where I dont have to, pardon the pun, blow the windows out playing the pipes.
So, thats my story. I look forward to gleaning knowledge from wherever I can, and this forum seems to be the premier source for online information.
And, as to my online moniker-way, way back, when emails first started, I was 29 or so, and still in the infantry in the Army. I was considered an old man in my profession at that point. As to the 181, that was my regiment I was assigned to
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