Hello From Indiana

[rstaight]

Just wanted to introduce myself. I was told about this forum on another forum.

I live in Lafayette Indiana and have been playing guitar since grade school. Just turned 60 in February. Have been thinking about a mandolin for awhile.

On April 14th I went to a guitar show in Danville Indiana. As I was leaving my wife said "Don't buy any guitars". I have acquired 3 since December.

I stop by a booth and inquire about an inexpensive guitar. The guy says I'll give you a good deal. I just look at him.

He then throws out a number. I say no. He then throws in a gig bag at no cost. I say no. He points out that it is autographed by John Rich of Big and Rich.

I tell him the wife said no guitars. But she said nothing about a mandolin. So a Dean A style followed me home.

Now I need to learn to play it. Watched a few YouTube videos and now know chords C, G, and D. Can throw in a few bass notes and chop some chords. That will cover a lot of bluegrass.

Any book suggestions would be appreciated.

Looking forward to the journey.

[Doug Brock]

For a beginning mandolin player, I recommend Don Julin's "Mandolin for Dummies." Nice broad coverage of the mandolin.

Welcome to the mandolin world!

[Randi Gormley]

Welcome to the mandolin and the cafe!

[Timbofood]

Oh boy! I love the justification for bringing home a Mandolin! That is great!
Abandon all hope, the Mandolin will set its talons in you and you will be lost forever in the pursuit of getting it in tune!
Welcome aboard!

[Kevin Winn]

Welcome! A lot of us on this board came to the mandolin the same way.

Check out Mandolessons.com. Tons of good stuff there, for free, including a whole series for beginners.

[BrianWilliam]

Hello from Colorado and “Mandolin Loophole” kudos!

[Denny Gies]

Listen to as much bluegrass as you can and find a tune you like. Knowing the guitar will let you find what key the song is played in, then just try to duplicate what you are hearing. I learned a lot by trying to play along with songs. Start by learning some basic chord positions and just chopping along with the CD. Then play around with finding some single notes within the chord positions that match what you hear. Most importantly, have fun. Good luck.

[Simon DS]

Yes, i'd agree, find a tune or song that you really love, probably one you already know on the guitar and then on your mando make it yours!
Here's one of my favourites, the mandolin here really goes for it!

[hokelore]

On April 14th I went to a guitar show in Danville Indiana. As I was leaving my wife said "Don't buy any guitars". I have acquired 3 since December.

Somebody at work gave me the info about that show. I said, "I'm trying to stay clean and sober on that."

I stopped going to those long ago because I always brought something home.

[rstaight]

Thanks for the welcomes. Looking forward to the journey.

[bradlaird]

Rstaight, Welcome aboard. You are already getting good suggestions but I had to jump in and suggest my own books. Where else will you find a mandolin book written by a guy born in Lafayette (a few months after you) who also lived in Danville as a kid. That is the most valid reason for blatant self-promotion I can think of.

I did lose the accent when we moved to Georgia in 1967 but still retain some Hoosierisms.

Happy picking!

[rstaight]

Rstaight, Welcome aboard. You are already getting good suggestions but I had to jump in and suggest my own books. Where else will you find a mandolin book written by a guy born in Lafayette (a few months after you) who also lived in Danville as a kid. That is the most valid reason for blatant self-promotion I can think of.

I did lose the accent when we moved to Georgia in 1967 but still retain some Hoosierisms.

Happy picking!

You may have lost the midwest draw, but I but you picked a bit of southern twang.

[bradlaird]

Yes. I surely sound more like Jonesboro, Georgia than Indiana. Plenty of proof to witness on my Grass Talk Radio podcast.

Funny thing though that my brother who is two years older didn’t take on the lingo of the South. I suppose I was still impressionable in 3rd grade. Getting into bluegrass also had a huge impact on my dialect, no doubt.

[rstaight]

Yes. I surely sound more like Jonesboro, Georgia than Indiana. Plenty of proof to witness on my Grass Talk Radio podcast.

Funny thing though that my brother who is two years older didn’t take on the lingo of the South. I suppose I was still impressionable in 3rd grade. Getting into bluegrass also had a huge impact on my dialect, no doubt.

Need to look for your podcast.

Do you still use phrases like caddywampus and slantways? Still a Hoosier if you do.

[UsuallyPickin]

Welcome to The Café. Mandolin for Dummies is a very good mandolin trainer. This is also an excellent how to book for mandolin. Enjoy. R/ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/com...iABEgL7KPD_BwE

[HonketyHank]

Welcome to the cafe. I am really glad to see that you have overcome your GAS problems. MAS conquers GAS.

[Br1ck]

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