Re: From Violin to Mandolin - Questions
Originally Posted by
LilHobbit
.....
For those that play Bach cello suites on mandolin, is there anything different I would need to set the mandolin up? Or simply transpose the cello score up an octave? Help!!
Lastly, what strings do you recommend for classical playing?
Thank you!!!
I play Bach’s Cello suites on Mandolin. I use the violin notation that is transposed up an octave plus a fifth.
I play violin as well.
I play mandolin mostly on a teen’s oval hole Gibson A-1, and I think that is great for Bach, but some people will prefer bowl backs but to my ear bowl backs are better for ensemble playing and carved tops are better for solo playing. But I am completely deaf in one ear, so my hearing is compromised and I understand why others may not experience sound the way I do.
The oval holed carved tops mandolins work well for me. Gryphon has a beautiful Collings MF-O for sale in the classified, and I just love the way the oval holed MFs sound when playing Bach. You sound like you want to spend less, but remember, over the years a good mandolin is much cheaper than a fair violin.
You’ll have to try different strings. I liked the Thomastic Infeld Mittels, but I go with D’Addarios now. The EFW74s are a good set to start with and then see if you want something heavier or lighter. The really good thing about mandolin is the strings are MUCH easier on the wallet than violin strings (and picks are cheaper than bows, too. My friend has spent more on one bow than I have on all three oval holed Gibson mandolins I have owned.)
Ha, ha! keep time: how sour sweet music is,
When time is broke and no proportion kept!
--William Shakespeare
Bookmarks