Mando Hangout - Other Topics Forum Feed

I built a mandolin practice tracker app - honest feedback welcome

eric@mandohangout.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:00:50 CST

Hey all - I'm an indie developer and just released Mandolin Practice Log for iOS.

Log practice sessions, build a daily streak, track progress over time. Break practice into focused areas (Scales, Chops, Repertoire, Sight-Reading - or add your own), set daily goals per area, see weekly/monthly/all-time stats. Built-in chromatic tuner with mandolin-specific presets.

Most practice trackers are too generic. I wanted something built for how mandolin players actually practice.

App Store: apps.apple.com/app/id6759742613 - $3.99

Honest feedback genuinely welcome.

Los Angeles Bluegrass Band Looking for Mando Player

eric@mandohangout.com — Sun, 8 Dec 2024 21:37:41 CST

Hollywood Forever Bluegrass Band is a Los Angeles amateur bluegrass band that has been in existence for more than 16 years. All of the band members are over 50. We play traditional bluegrass with a sprinkling of country, gospel and original tunes. The band has played in a variety of clubs, farmers markets, bars and private homes. All of us sing well and we do a good deal of three-part harmony. Search "Hollywood Forever Bluegrass Band" on YouTube for some of our recordings.

We are looking for a mando player who shares our interest in bluegrass and would be a good fit socially. We try to jam twice a month near Larchmont Village.

Sound interesting? Call Bob at (310) 200-2124.

Hundreds Of Old Classic Bluegrass And Gospel Albums

eric@mandohangout.com — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 13:12:47 CST

I was happy today to find this new YouTube channel, 'TAKE'S BLUEGRASS ALBUM CHANNEL,' featuring HUNDREDS of fantastic Bluegrass and Gospel albums from the 1960's, 1970's and beyond. These thousands of songs are invaluable to musicians, to learn from and play along with on your mandolin. My favorite album is from 1974, titled: 'THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO STEVE, LEROY AND BROTHER DAVE.' It was this album (from an old LP I had run across) in 1992 that inspired me to start playing pedal steel guitar. In particular, it was the song, 'MY WONDERFUL JESUS.' I'm new to playing the mandolin, but having a great time learning.

Check this out, 'EARL SCRUGGS AND THE EARL SCRUGGS REVUE [1971-1972].' I really like the first song.

Enjoy!

Jeff Shram, Outdoor Plumbing Company

eric@mandohangout.com — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:38:53 CST

In the late seventies, when I first started going to festivals, one of my favorite bands was the Outdoor Plumbing Company, which also provided sound for many bluegrass festivals. The mandolin player for the band was Jeff Schram and being an aspiring mandolin player myself, I was very impressed by his ability and style of play. OPC, at some point disbanded and I never heard of Jeff Schram again, though I have done several searches over the years. Does anyone have any knowledge or have any information about him or for any other bands he might have worked for? I am fortunate to have 4 or 5 of their albums and still find his playing to be inspiring. If anyone could shed any light on this little mystery, I certainly would appreciate it.

Monthly Patreon giveaway!

eric@mandohangout.com — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 18:23:32 CST

Hey guys - I just opened up a Patreon site cause I thought it’d be fun to do monthly gear/accessory giveaways! Join to enter the upcoming giveaways! I’ve got some great things lined up to give away this month and also in the future months!! First giveaway will start tomorrow and I’ll draw a random winner on April 15th @12:00pm EST. Looking forward to seeing you guys on the site, and be sure to let me know if you have any ideas for gear you’d like to see in a giveaway too!

patreon.com/user?u=36866910&ut...=copyLink

Post Your Video Here: Front Page Video Hogs Keep Out!

eric@mandohangout.com — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 12:11:29 CST

Post your videos of you playing in whatever setting you want, with an Active topic guaranteeing that they will be seen & not buried because video hogs keep bumping your videos that you post off the front page in less than 2 days sometimes!

I'll get the ball rolling: video of my Duo busking at a Farmer's Market

Using TablEdit

eric@mandohangout.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 11:23:06 CST

Is there a way on TablEdit to change the key of a song? If so, can someone please point me in the right direction? Thank you.

Need Audio files Teach yourself bluegrass mandolin by Andy Statman

eric@mandohangout.com — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:38:02 CST

I have managed to get this book, Teach yourself bluegrass mandolin by Andy Statman ,1978 version, but without the accompanying cd...can someone share with me the audios? The new publisher (Hal leonard) has restricted audio...thanks in advance!

MOOKC Winter Concert!

eric@mandohangout.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 10:03:11 CST

Passing this along from the web.

Upcoming Mandolin concert in KC MO

Sat Jan 21, 2023 Please join us for an eclectic program including pieces by Leo Kottke and Raymond Scott (think Bugs Bunny!).
allevents.in/kansas%20city/moo...868769138

Tab Notation

eric@mandohangout.com — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 14:02:44 CST

Beginners question: What does the R and comma to the right of the tab mean?

New to the Forum

eric@mandohangout.com — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 14:12:37 CST

Hope posting this here is ok .. new to the mandolin. Starting with a Loar and learning slowly. I'm 71 so this is a new adventure. Hope to learn from all of you. Thanks and Happy New Year.

Old Time Fiddle mandolin playing

eric@mandohangout.com — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:33:55 CST

Greetings, for those that play the mandolin in the Old Time Fiddling setting, do you play mostly backup as in mostly chording or do you mostly play the melody? And if you do play the melody do you primarily play in the first position? Many Thanks!

Mandolin in Japan

eric@mandohangout.com — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 00:48:09 CST

Short article about the Mandolin in Japan

Taking a mandolin on vacation?

eric@mandohangout.com — Mon, 7 Jun 2021 10:31:08 CST

Does anyone take a mandolin (or guitar, harmonica, etc.) on vacation? Has anyone encountered strong resistance to this idea from fellow travelers (spouse, siblings, etc?)

Why is it so difficult for people to understand that I play, in part, to relax? I like doing it. I don't need a vacation from music.