Mandolins

So, I bought a mandolin. I have 0 experience with reading music, playing music, music in general other than singing in the shower or car. I am very excited. I got it Friday and have been fiddling with it so much that other activities are being ignored. I need to call the guy who does the lessons (who only has phone numbers?!) and set some up. My goal is to be able to play the beginning of dueling banjos* so I can freak people out when I am camping :)

Any advice/tips welcome! Maybe I'll even be able to post a video of me playing soon :eek:

I got a used Washburn A style with a gig bag, 4 picks (the guy gave me different types to try and see what I liked), a tuner, and a How to book

*Yes, I know it was written for banjos
**My fingers hurt

Well done!

The musical journey starts slow, but is really rewarding. You won't become a master in a few weeks, but you'll see yourself improve over time; you'll master a technique, then a chord, then a song, then two songs... the trip is a beautiful one.

Undertoad;1038684 wrote:

Well done!

The musical journey starts slow, but is really rewarding. You won't become a master in a few weeks, but you'll see yourself improve over time; you'll master a technique, then a chord, then a song, then two songs... the trip is a beautiful one.

I'm already seeing improvement, so that's really fun. Then, I get over confident and frustrated. I have to remember that I'm still beginning and it's ok that I'm still having trouble with down and up picking. :blush:

I called the guy and left a message at the shop for him, so hopefully I can get in for an initial lesson soon! I mostly want him to make sure I'm holding it right and picking right and any other tips for getting better at doing the notes and the up picking (that one's really hard).

Good idea, get to him before you develop bad habits you have to break.

xoxoxoBruce;1038688 wrote:

Good idea, get to him before you develop bad habits you have to break.

EXACTLY my thoughts!

My first lesson is tonight! WOO!

♫ Lesson number one, and the series has begun, roll me over lay me down and do it again.;)

My mother taught me that song when I was little with slightly different words, but same ending

In the clover probably, I shortened it because my singing is so bad. ;)

LOL! Yep. That's the one.

So my lesson was a good one. We talked about some basic music stuff (octaves, timing, etc). He showed me a few chords. He gave me a scale to practice and the chords to brown eyed girl to practice, too. I am getting pretty good at the scale, but the chords are tough. My fingers don't want to move that way....yet. He also showed me the Tablature way of reading music for the mandolin. I was trying to learn both, but he seemed to think it was ok just to do tabs. It's MUCH easier for one who hasn't learned to read music.

He also advised that I get a strap. I'm looking for one, but I might just sew one up. My SIL suggested getting a mount or a stand so that it's out of the bag. If it's in the bag, then I won't play it as much. I agree and am looking for that, too.

It it's out of the bag it'll get dusty.
Then when you pick it up to dust it off practice for awhile.
While you're practicing pluck out that tune you were humming while you were dusting.
When the tune is complete think up some lyrics to go with it.
Now you have a song you can sell for big bucks to Madonna, or Pink, or Springsteen.
Or record it and become a big star.
You go girl!

Done! :D

Here's an actual pic of it (SIGH - of course it's rotated. I HATE that all picture programs automatically rotate the fucking thing and don't tell you).

bbro;1038803 wrote:

He also advised that I get a strap.

Ya might get away with an old belt. I did.

My SIL suggested getting a mount or a stand...

Go to Lowe's/Home Depot, get one of those red/orange, u-shaped screw-in hangers for shovels/hoes/rakes. They make great [strike]guitar[/strike] mandolin hangers.

Gravdigr;1038814 wrote:

Ya might get away with an old belt. I did.

I don't have belts 😑 I was thinking of seeing if I could make one out of material I already have. I'll update how it goes

Gravdigr wrote:

Go to Lowe's/Home Depot, get one of those red/orange, u-shaped screw-in hangers for shovels/hoes/rakes. They make great [strike]guitar[/strike] mandolin hangers.

Thanks. I may check it out, but it's kind of not pretty :right::D

The book I have for learning has some notes to the beginning of ode to joy in it. When I tried a couple days ago, it sounded like nothing I've ever heard before. I tried it again tonight and it actually sounded like music and I recognized the notes. Thinking of seeing if there is a free online copy and adding that to my practice rotation. :jig:

~ excellent ~

bbro;1038826 wrote:

...but it's kind of not pretty...

They cost $2.

Nice, keep at it!

The whole thing is, you're installing "muscle memory" for where the notes are, and how to move your hands and your fingers. This is why it's awkward at first, because the memory isn't built in yet. All your concentration is on placing the fingers in the right position and remembering what to do with your right hand. But after a while, more and more of this will be just built right in.

@Grav - I know, but it's in my living room. I'd rather not have a big orange thing sticking out. I'm still going to check out what my local store has. I have some extra wood. I may be able to make it prettier.

@Griff - Thanks! I've downloaded more simple songs to practice without the chords

@Undertoad - I think that's why Ode to Joy sounds better now than it did on Saturday. I'm moving a little faster. It's easier for me to read the TAB music rather than traditional notations. I'm still practicing the chords, too. It's just nice to see some improvement somewhere else as I struggle along :cool: I also have to keep remembering not to rush it. It's only been one week!! :blush:

Get yourself some Plaster of Paris and whip up a holder...

Dude. I was viewing this at work.

C'mon, Hercules, it's culture, thousands of years old, classic sculpture. :eyebrow:

Naked statue on a forum. In a thread where a naked statue had no place tbh.

bbro;1038854 wrote:

Naked statue on a forum.

Actually it's on a plinth.

:jig:
















I tell all the girls I have the body of a Greek god.

White as marble with a two inch penis.

bbro;1038850 wrote:

Dude. I was viewing this at work.

Maybe stop viewing naked statues at work.