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It's very disorienting at first, but I found that once I committed to a change of technique, it really wasn't a very big deal to make the switch. Now, if you still have a feeling that your original...

Excellent summary.

It's a manufacturer's little white lie. If it just says "maple" or "mahogany", it's a laminate. If it says "solid spruce top", then it's steam pressed into an arch, not carved. "Solid carved top"...

136563

Finally managed to get to the remote Hebridean archipelago of St Kilda, and played a tune there, The St Kilda Wedding, on my old Sobell mandolin.

Here is our beautiful topsail schooner...

You don't need criticism at this point, you need encouragement, and a good teacher ASAP.

Plus...none of them knew any Homer and Jethro numbers.

When I discovered that I could play faster by tilting the pick rather than striking the string with a square pick stroke.

On one of my very first paying gigs, an old timer told me, "NEVER put your beer on top of your amp, always put it on top of somebody else's amp." Very smart advice.

Remember to breath

f-d

FFcp=four fingers in closed position(s)

Being able to use the whole neck and fearless of any key has had the biggest effect on my playing.

Here's the advice I give all my students. Go to a music store, buy about 10 different shapes, thicknesses and colors. Get a few standard teardrop Fenders in thin (ick), medium, heavy and extra heavy....

Hey gang!!

None other than Frank Solivan took a few minutes to do some picking for Mandolins and Beer Episode #5.

You can check it out here http://youtu.be/2srm1pFD9aE

Also if you dig...

There's some good and useful stuff in there, even things I've seen no-one else explain.

Yeah, that looked like a fairly spontaneous off the cuff lesson from one of the worlds greatest players. It was free, so hey--nothing at all wrong with that. I am 2 1/2 years into it and I learned...

I found it valuable. He talks just as much about body ergonomics as pick grip.

you can find lots of great tefs on mandozine.com a source i just recently discoverd. the above mentioned source also has a great download, the chord book. wonderful peice of information, no more...

Thank you Scott for all that you do. The Cafe is a great place to drop in on and it is much to your credit that it is. I am a newbie here and will take this time to thank all who participate with...

I am very Thankful for the gift of music that God has given us, and thankful for the Cafe. :mandosmiley: May each of you have a warm and Blessed Thanksgiving!

This is a terrific watch which I think people here will enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d06qLgWBGaI

Isn't this true of all strings, not just the E? There always seems to be a place to pick where you get the most sound with the least effort.

Looking for that BIG sound? This one's a banjo killer!

(Heck, it could probably kill the banjo player, too, if wielded just so. :disbelief: )

On a similar note, :whistling: here's a kazoo so...

Very well said.. And exactly how I feel.

I am a 10. That doesn't mean there aren't many people who play better than me, but as I'm rating myself I can see no advantage in withholding points.

I appreciate all the comments. This is just for fun, not a serious self-evaluation. But, since there are so many levels of players here, from beginning amateur to heavy-duty professionals, I...

So sad to hear this news and will be saying prayers for Stan and his family.