Just had to say something.

**Loretta Callahan** · Nov-06-2014, 9:52pm

I was on a forum that's supposed to be about Traditional Irish/Scottish music. Mostly folks post You Tube clips they like. So there's this guy (his avatar should have clued me) who posted an "instructional" video on the mandolin.

First, he goes all gear-head about how his instrument is constructed and is setup to stay in tune. It's out of tune.

He then demonstrates playing. He plays some old/timey/bluegrassy/strummy stuff. Ok, I'm not a genre nazi, no sweats.

What got my goat was that his left hand technique just begged for struggle and possible future carpal. As one who had to spend a year unlearning crap technique …. I just couldn't hold myself back.

So, trying to be kind, pointed out the left hand technique could cause problems ~ that his instrument sounded out of tune to me …. and posted the, now gold standard, Mike Marshall video showing how to hold the mandolin.

If I get kicked out of that forum. Oh well. Just couldn't help myself.

**OldSausage** · Nov-06-2014, 9:56pm

I'd like to see this video, it sounds like a classic.

**Loretta Callahan** · Nov-06-2014, 10:49pm

I'll pm you. I really don't want to hang someone's laundry out in public. I just watched my first attempt at Kesh … and wept.

**OldSausage** · Nov-06-2014, 10:52pm

Fair enough

**journeybear** · Nov-06-2014, 11:07pm

If you get kicked out of that forum - which I don't think will happen - you'll still be welcome here. Plus, you'll have more free time, part of which you can add to your time spent here.

Furthermore, since they seem to be OK with having the likes of me here, you should have nothing to worry about.

**Loretta Callahan** · Nov-06-2014, 11:19pm

Okay …. this person in question is a real class act. He graciously accepted my comments and we had a nice dialogue. Fairy dust, fairy dust, fairy dust. Maybe I helped to save him from carpal; maybe not.