Help/advice

[ionzi-removed]

Hi. So this is a question about learning. I picked up a mandolin for the first time a few days ago. I have limited experience of reading music and quite a lot of knowledge as I played piano, trombone, violin etc. as a child. Basically dabbled in different instruments.

I was wondering if you could gvie me some tips/comments on this video I made https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxYqQgxZg9k

I know the strings sound quite springy - how do i stop this?
At the moment I am playing 4 lines of La Rotta x 7
C major scale x 7
A major scale x 7
D major scale x 7

What else would you recommend? I find it difficult as I already have a knowledge of music...Thank you

I also like to have a routine when I practice as I find this more beneficial for improvement!

[Paleosporin]

Pick some exercises to work on right hand and left hand technique, and learn a bunch of tunes. I have gotten a lot of mileage out of ABC notation databases.

http://abcnotation.com/
http://thesession.org/

I've also been working through this book, and i think it's quite good: http://www.amazon.com/presents-Mando...dp/078668237X/

[derbex]

Lets us know what sort of music you want to play and we can probably help more.

If you are looking for classical mandolin try Marilynn Mair lots of exercises in there.

Obviously not the ideal posture whatever works. Actually your snippett sounded pretty good to me, your fretting hand looked fine, less sure about the way you are holding your plectrum. The mandolin is quite a springy/twangy instrument.

If you are starting from scratch you could follow say http://www.mandolessons.com/lessons/beginner-series/, he has a video lesson on holding the pick (right hand technique). Free by the way.

If lessons are an option, either online or in person then it would be worth having at least a few to get your basic technique sorted out.

Good luck!

[Grommet]

Your fretting hand technique looks pretty darn good. The violin practice is helping I'm sure. Mandolins have alot of string tension. solid fretting can take awhile to achieve. Make sure your instrument is set up well with low action. The picking hand technique looks like you might be rotating the hand a bit to alter pick angle while the arm raises and lowers to provide the up and down motion. You might want to try keeping the arm more still, the picking hand remaining somewhat in single plane and the wrist providing the up and down motion. You are doing great.

Scott

[ionzi-removed]

Dear all,

Thank you for your responses. I will work on reading notation rather than tabs as think this will be beneficial. I want to learn medieval style mandolin, actually I want to learn everything! I love all sorts of music from different genres which can be a little overwhelming at times. I will mix it up and thanks for the advice!

[JeffD]

Welcome to the adventure and welcome to the café where we talk each other though the adventure.

If you have a chance to play with other people, on some kind of regular basis, that will help keep the fires burning.

[derbex]

If you want simple(ish) early tunes you could take a look at Steve Hendricks site.We have given several of the Playford tunes (about half way down) a go. You might be able to play some of the other parts on your other instruments and play along with yourself.

[World Of El Dude]

I have found http://www.mandolessons.com to be a fantastic way to learn the instrument. He has videos, sheet music and provides good instruction.

I just started learning the mandolin after taking many year off from any musical instrument (guitar) so it's been a challenge but well worth the time spent!