Hi everybody. (homage to mandolessons.com) Received my first ever mandolin at about 12:30pm today via Amazon. At 5:30pm, I had blisters on my two first fingers - good or bad?
Three things:
1) I'm an old guy - 63YO
2) Never played an instrument of any kind before
3) I am left-handed and this is a beginner's left-handed mandolin (so blisters on my right hand)
Accomplishments:
I tuned the "mandolin-shaped thing" I received successfully and in a reasonable amount of time. This was encouraging.
Played the basic G-C-D chords many times. I can strum them and sometimes it sounds OK, but not consistently and not in time. I have not yet accomplished 4 down strokes in each chord in a row and in time that sounds OK. My fingers hurt. This is discouraging.
I played all the scales down to the 6th fret and understand the pattern - not fast, nor even on time. Mildly encouraging.
I am trying to do things with my left hand (your right hand probably) to give my blisters on my right hand a rest that furthers my cause. One simple thing I am trying to do is hit the open strings individually in order down with the pick consistently and in some rhythm on a down-stroke. I am trying to do it by feel and not looking. I'd give my effort a C-, but improving....
Any comments or tips? How long does it take to turn blisters into calluses? I am really trying to focus on hand position and relaxing/removing tension, which everyone says to do, which makes perfect sense, but is not as easy (for me, at least) to do as it sounds.
I need a thicker pick - this is the weak point in my exploration (equipment-wise) so far and not easily addressed, as I live in a rural locale. TIA for any feedback.
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