Matt's classes are awesome too, have done quite a few of them myself. No reason you can't do both (and add Peghead Nation too while you are it) other...
I use a non-skid chamois cloth on my knee to keep my K4 steady; you might be able to stuff it at the bottom and get it away from buttons and buckles....
If by "dots" you mean standard notation, then I'm in a similar place with the mandolin. I find the notation to be easier to sight read and to gain a...