BJD - Posted - 06/24/2013:  21:16:26

Greetings!

My friend gave me an entry level mandolin last year, and I've been staring at it all this time while I've been learning to play the banjo.  I finally took it to the music shop last weekend to get a good setup.  So, I am ready to take the plunge.  Where is a good place to start?  I am a believer in getting a good teacher, so I will do that, but money is an object while I am learning both instruments.  Is a lesson once a month sufficient?  What can I expect regarding the learning curve?  Any advice you can give will be much appreciated.  

BJ

TSSN - Posted - 06/25/2013:  05:16:35

Welcome to the MHO! 

Sounds to me like you are doing it right.  I got a lot out of my one-on-one time with my instructor.  Even once a month is better than not at all.

As far as buying learning materials, I would say to wait until you get specific advice from your teacher.

More advice is sure to follow.  Good luck!

Edited by - TSSN on 06/25/2013 05:17:04

Rickson - Posted - 06/25/2013:  08:35:07

I started with lessons every other week. But after a year I now take one lesson per month. Practice, practice, practice, love it or hate it but I have too. Good thing I found a great teacher.

ErikForGod - Posted - 06/25/2013:  11:21:17

Welcome to the Hangout...I'm also a new guy here, but enjoying it!

Getting a good teacher is important...but one has to stress "a good teacher" and unfortunately their are alot of folks out their ( in my humble opinion ) that are teaching techniques and things that could hinder ones mandolin playing...especially on You-Tube.

I've found some of the "musicmoose.org" Mike Hannigan free lessons on you tube to be quite good and well thought out: youtube.com/watch?v=mP23eCgNVyw He has a light hearted approach and seems to be solid in what he teaches...even getting into theory and stuff.

Also Mike Marshall has a good mandolin teaching method that you can sign-up for at a monthly subscription....definately some good instruction there. The most important aspect in mandolin playing in my opinion, and often the one most overlooked, is the right hand, loose and fluid, angle of the pick etc....lot's of things to remember. However, the mandolin in my opinion is a "super precision" instrument and takes alot of practice to play well. Also always practice with a metronome...

Many folks practiced their bad habits of right-hand playing early on, only having reached a point where they didn't advance any further, then having to relearn and go back to start in order to advance. Better to put the time in now and develop a good right hand early...I can't emphasize that enough.

Edited by - ErikForGod on 06/25/2013 11:24:26

Jim Yates - Posted - 06/25/2013:  11:51:35

Erik pointed out the importance of developing good right hand habits.  I've found that picking down on the beat and up on the off beat very helpful.  In other words, when your foot goes down, your pick goes down and vice versa.  You will have to break this pattern for triplets..., but it's a good general rule. 

ErikForGod - Posted - 06/25/2013:  15:33:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

 

Erik pointed out the importance of developing good right hand habits.  I've found that picking down on the beat and up on the off beat very helpful.  In other words, when your foot goes down, your pick goes down and vice versa.  You will have to break this pattern for triplets..., but it's a good general rule. 

---

Yes those alternating picking excercises are important...the off beats are always on the up swing, the "and" in the eight notes, ( one and two and...etc...)  on the upstroke....that's super important and takes some good practice.

Edited by - ErikForGod on 06/25/2013 15:34:50

BJD - Posted - 06/25/2013:  20:51:37

Thanks for the friendly advice. I appreciate it very much. I'm off to find a teacher!

ErikForGod - Posted - 06/26/2013:  11:51:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by BJD

 

Thanks for the friendly advice. I appreciate it very much. I'm off to find a teacher!

---

Don't forget to also play with a metronome always when you practice your mandolin...slow first gradually picking up the tempo as you get better...

Dwayne Elix - Posted - 07/02/2013:  18:43:41

I started with the book Bluegrass Mandolin by Jack Tottle. I also use YouTube.

OregonGal - Posted - 07/07/2013:  18:08:32

Hi BJ - I took mandolin lessons for about 4 months - once a week. It got me well established and on the right path. Now I am taking lessons online with Mike Marshall at the ArtistWorks Academy of BlueGrass artistworks.com/mandolin-lesso...-marshall. It is a really good deal and you get to learn for peanuts from an incredible mandolin player and teacher. I recommend it highly. You can make a video of yourself playing a lesson and send it to him (they have an online section for doing that) and he'll review it and make a video for you and let you know when it is ready. Takes about 10 days. There are also beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons - and they are fantastic. Check it out and good luck.

Petimar - Posted - 07/16/2013:  12:03:17

Look at my ergonomic videos "Mandolin Basics, Vol 1-5". They are at

petimarpress.com

swamplunker - Posted - 07/17/2013:  20:42:51

Read the last three questions and all the advice -you have lots of company, both in the initial difficulties and in all the support out there. And don't confuse it with Rocket Surgery---Get a sheet of chords, learn three, and start bangin' out simple ditties like "Oh, Susanna" and "Comin' round the mountain" Play the chords while singin' the melody, then try to pick out the melody notes. If you get bored with these chords, (and the sooner, the better) learn three more and do a new three chord song in a different key, it can be any song that you have the melody in your head.When this gets boring, challenge yourself--pick out pop goes the weasel, do it in a different key, pick out the theme from Leave it to Beaver. All this is free and can be done in the privacy of your home unless you've got a snob roommate or spouse in which case you have to move anyway.

Edited by - swamplunker on 07/17/2013 20:45:41

jazzrambler - Posted - 07/19/2013:  06:39:35

What if he's too young to remember 'Leave it to Beaver?'

A good set up is really key to getting started. If you have a recording device, use it to record rhythm tracks to practice with. I use my iPhone. Getting to jam with others (people that are encouraging!) can really make a difference.
Although at this point, I can still sit across from a smoking player and
l never tell what he's doing. It goes by to fast!