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Hi all,

Here's "Jack of Diamonds" and "Three Forks of Cheat," using AEAC# tuning, on a Stiver F5. Hope you enjoy them and try out this tuning yourself!


https://youtu.be/LvpxGQOND90

...

I keep a tune spreadsheet, with keys and a rating of my comfort with the tune, which is handy for those jam situations where I don't remember a single tune I know. It also helps me focus my practice...

I recently watched a video about food writing, in which a group of food writers discussed whether they had foods they did not like. More than one remarked that, if there was some ingredient they...

15 years, with gaps.

Still a work in progress, and the mandolin was a little stiff that day, but I hope you enjoy it!


https://youtu.be/kNC-Vg1FpbQ

I just bought a Duff. Oo-ee, is it good. I bought it from Skip Gorman. I've known that I liked *this particular* mandolin for a long time.

As anyone here knows, there are big differences between...

Steve at Acoustic Music Works in Pittsburgh told me this story: Right after the big stock correction at the beginning of the Great Recession, guy comes in and buys a reallly expensive guitar. He...

Hi everybody,

Believe it or not, 2019 is fast approaching. What's your top-five list of bluegrass albums for 2018?

That's "Get Up John" tuning, by my ears, or a close variation. For reference, listen to Ricky Skaggs playing Get Up John or Skip Gorman's version

The tuning is: F#A DD AA AD. Very fun!

There are a few nice jams and other events you could explore in the area.

There is a world class old time jam at Radio Bean in Burlington every other Sunday.

Hatch 31 in Bristol has a...

Whoosh, yours went right over my head, sorry, but I was referring to several others.

I guess this is a personality thing, maybe related to introversion / extraversion? I'm totally baffled by comments such as "I'd rather hear the live performance without the audience." For me, a huge...

Workshop schedule has been posted! Here

Anybody doing the master classes or mid-level courses?

In theory I'm always interested in a meet-up. Good time?

It's coming up next weekend already! Time has flown since last year. Who's planning on going?

Looks like a fantastic lineup on the main stage this year.

"How to Build a Stradivarius," by Ilyse Kunetz, published in the New Yorker on June 19, 2017:

The masters wrote—to yield the best result,
harvest after a cold winter

the wood condensed by ice...

I really enjoyed this very thorough article and have been recommending it widely. Love the Fretboard Journal!

I have known friends who, with modest incomes and rich, full lives, owned very expensive instruments. Part of their success was surely due to getting "on the property ladder" early, allowing their...

A very narrow definition of expression is being employed here. One example of expression is, "I think the tune sounds like this." When we play music, we make choices. In doing so, we express...

Declaring that a person needs one or the other -- character or practice -- always sounds to me like the search for a break or shortcut. I don't think there are shortcuts. Playing music is about...

Where I live, I don't get the chance to see too many of the best acts in person, so I definitely go to festivals to catch up on seeing live music and get my bluegrass fix. Usually I come home knowing...

Absolutely bring mandolins for some tasting! Often a great opportunity to see some very nice instruments.

There is some probability as of yesterday that I won't make the festival, which would be...

Hey everybody,

'Tis the season! Is anybody up for a Mandolin Cafe meet-and-greet this year at the Grey Fox Festival? I will be there and will be looking forward to seeing the usual suspects!

I...

I'd like to add further emphasis to Mark Wilson's point 3: to advance, it helps to have a goal. I have gotten a lot out of working up a piece of music that is just a hair above my current...

Just found this inspiring conversation. Enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BTtGDC4li8

And another young'n here. Wow, so much to be said. I certainly would love to get my hands on a pre-war Martin. I just can't afford one.

I like having a small number of very nice things, for...