View RSS Feed

lflngpicker

  1. Life with a Mandolin

    I have so many wonderful contacts and friends that I associate with here on the Mandolin Cafe! Thank you Scott and to all for making this platform what it is. The fact is, it is the means by which I have become a serous student of the mandolin and thus my life has been greatly enhanced.

    I am a retired fellow, though at 63, I am a bit young to be so. I am disabled due to a neurodegenerative brain disease and the mandolin is a great friend, comfort and therapy. I have been able ...

    Updated Nov-02-2018 at 5:57pm by lflngpicker

    Categories
    Uncategorized
  2. Sarcasm on Threads

    More and more frequently a member will reply to a thread, "Why doesn't the OP do a search of prior threads to determine if the topic has already been covered?" The phrase may be posed as "How many threads do we need on Blue Chip picks?" as an example. This is a stereotypical response I have seen numerous times on all similar forums, i.e., Acoustic Guitar, Strat Talk, etc.

    This question makes the assumption that the OP is asking for instructions and has
    ...
    Categories
    Uncategorized
  3. It's the PLAYING that Matters Most!

    Just a few thoughts about the mandolin as the sun rises in So Cal: I find myself driven to find just the right mandolin, and I realize the need to be settled about the very nice instruments I have. I am working on finding the contentment to appreciate and play these three mandolins!

    Practice, practice, practice, along with sharing the music out and about as I do, are key aspects to enjoyment as a mandolin player. Today, it will be in the church band playing songs that fit the ...

    Updated Nov-29-2015 at 9:05am by lflngpicker (improving expression)

    Categories
    Uncategorized
  4. On Playing Other Instruments before the Mandolin (Gasp!)

    Note: I wrote this in reference to a thread in which advice was given about where to begin to learn the mandolin. It so happened that the individual who started the thread had been a guitar player first, a not to uncommon place to begin.

    The mandolin is truly its own unique and special instrument. Whether first a guitar player or not, it is a great joy to begin to play and forge a life playing. It is not a negative thing about the mandolin to suggest that it has similarities ...
  5. Grateful for a Place to Share my Mandolin for Others

    I have a feeling others can relate. In spite of my physical challenges that come from a rare form of Parkinson's, I was able to join the band today at church.

    Seven months ago I had to resign myself to not playing weekly any longer. I was able to play and sing harmony this week and it was such a joy. I used my J Bovier and backed the leader with chords and runs in a fairly traditional styled, gospel set. I just simply played through a nice instrument microphone and sang a third
    ...
  6. On Playing the Mandolin as Therapy

    I have been a member in the Mandolin Cafe for most of 2014 and I have truly appreciated the ideas, education, support and friendship that has been fostered in this forum. Thanks to all!

    I have a brain disease that is a rarer form of Parkinson's, is faster progressing than typical P.D. and tends to cause more disability. I am not able to drive or work in my chosen profession any longer, and I deal with a variety of problems such as tremors and mobility issues, among other things. ...
    Categories
    Uncategorized