Absolutely killer kick.

It seems to me a lot of mandolin solo focused bluegrass albums are just about technical proficiency and don’t carry a lot of feeling. I sort of can’t stand it. Can anyone recommend me a bluegrass mandolin album with some heart to it?

[ETA: primarily interested in Bluegrass, folk, and other americana. If I progress enough, I'd really like to learn some Gypsy Jazz, even though it's not usually played on a mandolin.]

I am on my way to beginning my mandolin journey. Don't have one just yet but I hope to change that very soon.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to hire a teacher, so private instruction won't happen and I'll need to learn from books, videos, etc.

I was wondering if there are particular ones that are well thought of.

I'm in my early 50s and have only a little bit of a music background. I took up guitar and bass several years ago but never got very far for various reasons.

I know just enough music theory to get me in trouble, and I doubt I would ever be able to tune an instrument without the use of an electronic tuner, I just don't have that kind of ear.

Any thoughts for someone like me?

Thanks!

I play with a Bluechip TP48 and a CT55. I like the clarity and smoothness of single notes when using the CT, but I prefer the TP for tremolo because it’s easier and smoother. Which pick might bridge the gap between the two, the TP60 or the TAD40? I play bluegrass on an F-Style mandolin.

Hey y’all! Is it truly helpful to play constant up and down strokes and just applying the pick when you need to play the strings? I’m used to mainly passing over the strings when I strum them, but I can get tripped up rhythmically between some phrases, so I was wondering if that truly helps.

A rare opportunity to see one of these rare giants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14vpuYMMyzy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I'm mostly a mediocre violinist and my octave mandolin playing sounds like it.

I want to get that open ringing sound that LadyMoon ,Emma Borders, and Magnus Zetterland get, but they all seem to regard it as naturally arising rather than a specific technique.

Are there any tutorials on getting the octave mandolin to sound more 'mandolini' rather than simply straight melody, the dots on the page?

Hello everyone!

This Mandolin belonged to father who passed away some years ago. It's definitely doesn't have a manufacturers brand on it and looks custom/handmade. Other than a service tag inside, there doesn't appear to be any markings. I don't play and I would rather someone else take possession and appreciate it. I don't have any idea what its value is and was hoping that someone might give me some advice! Thanks!

I’m 31 yrs old, never played any instruments, and work full time in corny corporate America, but I’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument and I’m finally following through!!

I picked up a used A model Aria while visiting Shenendoah NP at the beginning of the month. Took my first lesson yesterday. I have a LONG way to go but I’m so excited!!! Appreciate any “wish I knew that when I first started” encouragement anyone has :) I’m signed up for weekly lessons, 30 min sessions. I’ll be practicing a lot on my own. Felt a little overwhelmed just not knowing a lot of the lingo yet either, but you have to start somewhere!!!

I am drawn to the mandolin because it has such a pretty sound. I love bluegrass music and I used to do competitive Irish dancing growing up, so the mandolin connects my love of Appalachian sounds and Celtic melodies.

So excited to actually know how to play this beautiful instrument a little! Lol

Has anyone played a Bob Shue Mandolin? I've come across one and curious about quality, sound, and its history.

Hey fellow 8-stringers! Here's my mandolin take on this Fab Four classic. If you want mandolin TAB to learn how to play it, check out my Patreon site. Cheers!

Canone a Due Liuti (Canon for two lutes) by Renaissance era composer Francesco da Milano. Milano was an Italian lutenist who was widely celebrated, his peers giving him the name "Il Divino" or The Divine.

This piece, "Canone a Due Liuti", is a strict musical canon where both instruments play exactly the same part, except the second part comes in two measures later.

This was a lot of fun to put together, and I only had to learn one part. But the challenge came from trying to play them together in time!

#classicalmusic #renaissance #mandolin

Does anybody have the tabs for Riu Riu Chiu?

Any help would be appreciated.

This got me to be able to play the chops more efficiently, I did this “dry” when I wasn’t strumming.

Not a skilled player but this helped.

Already lowered the bridge as far as it’ll go.

How far down into Florida can you get a good note with sustain on your rig? Mainly on the E?

I’ve been taking lessons for ~10 months but have been having fun with my mandolin for a few years now, all to say I don’t feel brand new but I still have baby deer legs. My problem is that I don’t seem to be engaging my third and fourth fingers correctly when I hit four finger chords, and often when I’m playing melody (more so the fourth finger here). My teacher and I have touched on the issue for months but neither of us have figured out why the technique isn’t happening correctly. She keeps telling me that I need to play like I’m curling my fingers inwards and that I’m stretching incorrectly with my 3rd and 4th fingers. To illustrate, think about how you’d hold a book in your left hand with the 3rd and 4th fingers supporting the bottom. She’s saying I’m doing that when playing and that I’ll end up with an injury if I keep doing it. And she’s also pointed out that I tend to death grip the neck when holding chords. But when I try anything else it feels like a huge reach or I don’t get good tone, and I don’t have small hands. I have long, spindly fingers and also tend to splay, which is also a part of this problem. I’ve tried positioning my hand every way I can but I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’ve searched all over this sub and online, I’ve watched videos, and I just don’t know what to do. Playing four finger chords is so uncomfortable and I’m insanely tense when I try. I feel like I’m pressing down so hard but I don’t get good tone when I try to loosen up. Maybe I need my action lowered. Maybe it’s an issue of practice and building new muscles, but I’m practicing regularly and I’m really trying to build good technique. Anyway, any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying so hard and I just want to develop good technique but it feels impossible.
Thank you so much for reading, and thank you in advance for any kind thoughts you may have to share.

Edit: I’m aware of the fingernails, they’re usually much shorter but I just got home from travelling recently and they just happened to be longer in the pics.