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Thread: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

  1. #1

    Default Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    My little guitar group has...too many guitar players. So, I’m committing to Weisenborn and Mandolin. Got the mando, cool Norfield strap, Mel Bay book. I just need the right pick and a million hours of practice. Looking forward to it!
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  3. #2

    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Good deal///Now I know I am not alone. I play Guitar as well but just ordered a Loar F Style Mando. Lets compare notes and see what works. SO far I have been using the Youtube Mandolessons guy. Just Trying to get down the GDC Chords. Not sure what to learn next. Phin

  4. #3
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Fingers crossed the guys in your group are receptive. I also had a "There's too many guitars in here and I don't want to pretend I'm in 38 Special" moment and committed fully to mandolin. There have been a few times I've heard some grumbles after migrating this solo or that riff but so far so good.

    It will take adjustment on the part of your other group members. I've got songs we had to dump, because the others were committed to playing it the way a mandolin doesn't fit.
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    I feel ya. I originally picked up mandolin because I got tired of being the tenth guitarist at a jam. You go!.... R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

  6. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    There are a whole lot of folks here that came from the guitar world myself included.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    As you start the journey it may be good to realize that mandolin is not a Hillbilly instrument, that may be a modern world fallacy of a conception. The mandolin is suitable for Classical, Rock, Gospel, Folk, String Band, Ragtime, Jazz, Blues, Country, Early Country, Country Blues, Delta Blues ... the list goes on ... and essential for Bluegrass because of Bill.

    As Mike said, you are not alone among us as guitarists come to mandolin Enjoy the journey!
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  10. #7

    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Maybe not referring to it as a hillbilly instrument would broaden your horizons on how it can be used in a group. Also, a few lessons to understand how it differs from guitar could be useful.

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  12. #8
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Quote Originally Posted by GDAE View Post
    Maybe not referring to it as a hillbilly instrument would broaden your horizons on how it can be used in a group. Also, a few lessons to understand how it differs from guitar could be useful.
    Yeah, after all, it was an Italian and European instrument first!

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  14. #9
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    do you'all think that people, especially non-players view a mandolin as primarily a bluegrass instrument...so what does one think genre wise when they see an F-style vs an A-style mandolin?

  15. #10

    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    I'm not offended by the term "hillbilly." In fact, it gave me a chuckle thinking of watching Bill Monroe on tv with my parents, Bill kicks it into high gear with his falsetto yodel -- my Dad's eyes glued to the tv in amazement, while Mom exits into the kitchen just shaking her head!

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Quote Originally Posted by CBFrench View Post
    do you'all think that people, especially non-players view a mandolin as primarily a bluegrass instrument...so what does one think genre wise when they see an F-style vs an A-style mandolin?
    Usually non-players will say, "Hey, that is a fancy-looking ukulele!."
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Amazing how many non-musicians have no clue about mandolins.

    When you’re ready to get some instructions with particular focus, I recommend online classes with Matt Flinner. He usually runs an ad on the cafe when he has a new round of offerings. Some friends and I are currently in his “Advanced Fiddle Tunes,” a real skill building course.
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Not sure what to learn next.
    Hey Phin - two words: Fiddle Tunes.

    Even if you don't necessarily like them or want to play them. Someone on the Cafe once said "have you ever met someone who could play 100 fiddle tunes who couldn't play the mandolin?".

    So true.

    Kirk

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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Nursery rhymes and Christmas tunes you can hum and find the notes in 3 octaves in as many keys as possible, start with one key, one octave...ear training

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Mando View Post
    I'm not offended by the term "hillbilly." In fact, it gave me a chuckle thinking of watching Bill Monroe on tv with my parents, Bill kicks it into high gear with his falsetto yodel -- my Dad's eyes glued to the tv in amazement, while Mom exits into the kitchen just shaking her head!
    They used to market music under that term.

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  25. #16
    Registered User Ky Slim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    No self respecting hillbilly would be caught dead with one of those silly little guitars

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  27. #17
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ky Slim View Post
    No self respecting hillbilly would be caught dead with one of those silly little guitars
    Not even My Cousin Vinny.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  29. #18
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Interesting to see how casually some insulting language is used. Change ‘hillbilly’ to another ethnic slur to fully appreciate the ignorance of that term. What would you say to play rhythm and blues?
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  30. #19
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    OP the word hillbilly don't bother me, so if you ready to get your "hillbilly on" well then dangit "get it on, bang ah gong"...I'm not socially correct or anyway correct

  31. #20
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    I had the same story about 45 years ago, too many guitars in a group. Took up the mando and have never looked back. Good luck. two thingsI found usefu; Jsck Tottle's book on Bluegrass Mandolin and playing along with some of my favorite bluegrass CD's. Obviously the latter one came after I had gotten a few chord positions down pat. Good luck and have fun.l

  32. #21
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    What's the difference between a guitar player and a bass player walking down the street?

    Bass player is going to a gig.

    That's the joke that got me to stop playing guitar and focus on bass instead. A great change IMO but I missed the glamor of being the lead instrument - so I switched to mandolin where I'm effectively a high-hat during most of the song haha.
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  33. #22
    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    I kain't tell ya how many times people come up and say, "what is THAT?"

    After I say, "It's a Mandolin!" they go.."Oh!! I LOVE the mandolin!!"

    IOW They already know they LOVE the mandolin even if they're not sure WHAT a mandolin IS !!


    BTW, save yourself a lot of time and trials and gitcha a Blue Chip pick. They're a little pricey to start out but they sound fantastic and don't wear out.
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  34. #23
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Getting everyone in Overalls for the full Buck Owens , Roy Clark Hee Haw TV show effect?

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  35. #24
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    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    Just remember that when you first saw a guy in bib overalls dancing with a racoon, the music was Aretha Frankin...


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  37. #25

    Default Re: Ready to get my hillbilly on!

    I thought this post was gonna be about Billy Strings tour...

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