Hi everyone,
about two weeks ago I bought my first mandolin, and I already love it. I'm not very musically oriented, but playing music is my dream, I have trien and quite many instruments (the piano, the sax, the ukulele) but I'm determined to stick with the mandolin. I have also been playing the banjo (on and off, and not very dilligently, for the past two years) but because I do alot of traveling, I wanted something a bit more portable, and after doing a bit of research (listening to Bill Monroe, The Punch Brothers, watching online tutorials) I fell in love with the mandolin. But because I am currently living in an area where the mandolin is non-existent, the only way to learn is by myself through reading, youtube, etc. That is why I would appreciate ALL the commentary I can get/links to sites, tabs, chords etc. Take a stoll down memory lane and let me know everything you thought to be very useful when you got your first mandolin.
A few specific questions I have: firstly, I don't really like picks, I know I need to suck it up, but I just prefer playing without one. Will that be possible? or will it ultimately hinder my ability to get better and learn new things?
Ultimatley I would love to be able to "jam" with others, but qs I said, I,m so musically illequipped, the dream seems nearly impossible, but what are things I can do to make it happen?
What is the best way to begin; strumming or picking or whatever else?
Basic music theory as well, I'm completely niave to all that.
ANy general comments about the instrument itself (ex: tuning, strings, up keep, care)
absolutley everything and anything is helpful, i have fallen in love with my mandolin and i never want the flame to die, and i want to know as much as i possibly can about it.
[my mandolin is a Kentucky A-stlye with an oval hole (which I know is more for celtic music, but i want to learn every kind, esp bluegrass and folk)]
Thank you so very truly much
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