Blue_Sea - Posted - 07/12/2013:  21:24:39

Hi!

For quite a few years I've been thinking about the beauty and sound of the mandolins. I have often heard them in Italian, Croatian and Bluegrass music. Also loved seeing it being played live. But had really no option to find any teacher in my area, so never learned it. I'm thinking now about trying to do it, and buying myself a mandolin. So I might need some advice. 

In past years I have learned piano (2 years), violin (6 years), and cello (around 2 years) in music school. They confirmed I have perfect pitch so staying in tune and playing by ear comes naturally. When in high school I picked up guitar as my main instrument and am learning both acoustic steel-string and electric guitar for around 4 years now (going to private lessons for both). Even though a guitar is my main instrument and I'll continue learning it, I'm interested in trying something new to get some "fresh air" into my music. 

Now the questions... what is a transition from the violin/guitar to mandolin like? What was the easiest/hardest thing for you if you did it?

Would any of the techniques from other instruments help me? Or is it like a totally different thing to learn?

What should I be aware of?

Would it be beneficial for me to learn it or would it possibly hurt my progress on other instruments? Though I never had any problems switching from one instrument to another in my entire life, as I always tend to naturally think in the "language" of the instrument I am holding in my hands.

What are some good resources to help me with starting on mandolin if I end up buying it? I don't really have an option to find a teacher in my area, so I would mostly be self-taught until I travel somewhere.

What would be some good and not too expensive brands to buy for my first instrument?

Any other advice? I know this is lots of questions, but I just want to be sure I'm doing the right thing before going further. 

Thank you very much! :)

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 07/13/2013:  05:05:32

My musical instrument journey goes from Guitar to Banjo to Mandolin to violin to Dobro to Bass..... Guitar mandolin and fiddle being the "high" spots...... the others I "play with" not "play"
Mandolin being a plectrum instrument has many techniques common with guitar. Being tuned in fifths l it has scales and chords in commom whih a violin. There are also distinct drifferences no matter the likenesses which make a mandolin unique. So.... learning to play a mandolin will expand your ability to work ,another instrument, and expression, how you hear and play. That's a win win situation. There are a number of good quality Chinese manufactured instruments for sale these days that are reasonably priced and suitable for starting out on. Those brand names are..Eastman , Kentucky, THe Loar, Michael Kelly...... one thing to be aware of in mandolins. A poorly setup mandolin can be close to impossible to play. Because of the double courses of strings and the shorter scale a proper string height is of paramount importance. You also need a heavier pick, 1.2mm or thicker. This site and Mandolin Cafe have articles , music , discussions and advice on pretty much any subject pretaining to mandolin you want to research. Insofar as teachers, many are available online through SKYPE and the like, video / audio connections. ....In my experience any new understanding of music or a particular song extends my understanding of ..... well how to play .... instrument to instrument and style to style...... Good Luck in your foray into all things mandolin .. .R/

TSSN - Posted - 07/13/2013:  19:46:54

Hello and welcome. 

You already have some great advice above.  I would only add to take as many mandolins for a "test drive" as you can. Find the one that feels and sounds right to you.

mandolinpicker2 - Posted - 07/14/2013:  14:01:34

Violin/Fiddle to mandolin easy same fingerings.

Yes. ie...using flat picks

Short neck length.

​Yes, Learning to play others instruments increases your ability to learn more.

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