New development on the music front! My daughter and I are now about to embark on learning mandolin.

I'm really excited to learn mandolin, and WAY More excited that my 16 y/o daughter is SUPER eager to start as well, and thus, this can be something that will help keep us close as she finishes the next few years of high school.

She plays piano, flute and french horn now (all in varying degrees of competency). But flute very well, and piano pretty good. And french horn as a mid-beginner.

So, any players here!?

Can't help you there. But, I can recommend a trip to the Walnut Valley Music Festival held each September in Winfield KS. Lots of great players on stage and lots of great players in the campground from which to learn.

Wikopedia Link WV Music

I believe that jhe888 plays. Hopefully he will notice this thread.

I play a little. It is a fun instrument. For me it is more instinctive than guitar because all the string courses are separated by fifths whereas guitars have that one different interval.

My Papou played it as well as a Bouzouki. He never took any lessons, just picked it up and self-taught. I wish I could learn them along with Bagpipes. Piano, Violin and an Indian Sarangi.
But I know I have 0.0 musical talents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x35Og0xxiKs

I play a little.
Just on tunes like Losing My Religion and Maggie.

I fill a mandolin void on a few songs the band plays. Consider choosing the F form instrument for a classic bluegrass look. The A form is more common at music stores, and less expensive.

Listen to Ricky Skaggs for inspiration.

Yeah, I've seen a few videos of him recently. So good! I definitely want an F. I don't think she has a preference -- she's tough to get opinions from. Probably go F for her too.

I play mandolin and guitar.

I can make a few chords. It's easier to learn if you already play guitar.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
Yeah, I've seen a few videos of him recently. So good! I definitely want an F. I don't think she has a preference -- she's tough to get opinions from. Probably go F for her too.

Some players to listen to:

Skaggs for traditional bluegrass.

Bill Monroe is the source for bluegrass mandolin.

Sam Bush

Ronnie McCoury, of the Del McCoury Band

Chris Thile is really good, really good

Sierra Hull is hot right now, and good

Sara Jarosz plays mandolin and a mandocello (shaped more like a guitar) (and she plays guitar too) and is a remarkable musician

There are others of course, but all of those are are wonderful.

F and A mandolins are more different in looks - the sonic difference doesn't come so much from the shape. The real difference in sound in carved top and back mandolins is between round hole and f hole mandolins. F hole are more punchy and cutting while round hole mandolins have a sweeter tone. Flat top mandolins sound very different. Bowl back mandolins are not common any more, and are yet a third kind of sound.

Here is your holy grail of bluegrass mandolins. A 1923 Gibson F-5, signed by Gibson's Lloyd Loar.

https://reverb.com/p/gibson-ll...ar-f-5-mandolin-1923

Air mandolin
If it's not too fast of a song

I have one, but have hardly played it. I have an Eastman FWIW. "A" style/ oval hole.

One more thing on my list of things to do...

What a fortuitous post. I have been going through things and came across my grandmother's mandolin. I have talked to my family and my children and no one has the desire to learn to play. We have all agreed that she would want someone to have it that will play it, as an instrument in a case is not serving it's purpose. It is a 1970s vintage Suzuki bowl back mandolin with beautiful inlay in excellent condition as it has lived in a case its whole life. It is yours for you and your daughter to enjoy if you would like it. I can send you some pictures if you would like to see it.

^^^ Awesome offer!

One of these days I’d like to get a T-style electric mandolin. I don’t feel like my guitar playing is quite up to the point where I can afford the distraction.

Marty Stuart is a great mandolin player, as is Steve Earle, both traditional and electric.

I would suggest Mandolin Cafe as a resource. They have a fantastic forum full of helpful folks for all things mandolin.

I think David Grisman is my favorite. His DG quintet is terrific.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

Sara Jarosz plays mandolin and a mandocello (shaped more like a guitar) (and she plays guitar too) and is a remarkable musician

Norman Blake is incredible on madocello on one of the early Red, White, and Blue(grass) albums. He and Grant Boatwright do some fantastic acoustic guitar work on this album, as well.

Familiar with e song "Mandolin WIND" BY ROD STUART?
There is no manadolin played in that song.