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Thread: Greetings, new mando player

  1. #1

    Default Greetings, new mando player

    I rediscovered my mandolin sitting under my bed and have a question about learning/playing. Is it o.k. to just play strumming chords...bass note, strum, upstroke on high E, down strum and so on. It seems most books move quickly into learning to finger the notes. thanks Jeff B

  2. #2
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Yeah, it's OK. You can accompany yourself or others singing with the strum technique you use. Just enjoy and all sorts of progress will happen as you go along.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Well I sure hope it’s okay because that’s still mostly what I play

  4. #4
    Registered User TonyEarth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Welcome! Anything is okay as long as it sounds good to you, and (to a lesser degree, depending on what you're doing) those around you. It's good to learn about common practices and follow the advice of experienced players, but at the end of the day it's your musical experience, make of it whatever you want!

    There's very few reasons IMO to limit ourselves to "[instrument] shouldn't be played X or Y way" save for technique improvements that actually help you, etc.
    Diego

    Eastman MD315
    Kentucky KM505
    JBovier ELS
    ---
    Ivan Dunov VL402 Violin

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  6. #5
    Old Guy Mike Scott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Welcome to the Cafe! Play it anyway you want. It's all about having fun. Who cares what others think.....
    Thanks

    Several mandolins of varying quality-any one of which deserves a better player than I am.......

  7. #6
    Registered User Frankie D's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Welcome to the forum Jeff. Sounds like we are about in the same boat having played in the past, mostly chords, lost interest, and stopped playing. I hope to change that this time around and plan on learning more single string playing to accompany other instruments. At least you didn't sell your old Mando like I did selling my Eastman 515, but I have a new Eastman 305 that I think I like a bit better. Good luck!
    Eastman 515 Mando
    Gibson J-30 Guitar
    RK-80 Banjo

  8. #7
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Welcome,

    I am new also, play it so you are happy and enjoying yourself and you will advance.

    NO RULES, NO TIME SCHEDULE , lol.

  9. #8
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    What they all said!

    And welcome!
    Gibson A-Junior snakehead (Keep on pluckin'!)

  10. #9
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Welcome Jeff.
    What everyone else has said, try just learning the scale of G major along with G, C and D chords, then you’re set!
    Do improv over your favourite Niel Young songs, if you like, (or whatever) there’re mostly in G major. Then learn a reel and a jig…
    Good luck!

    (Setup on mando very important)

  11. #10
    Registered User Willi Bahrenberg's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Quote Originally Posted by Frankie D View Post
    At least you didn't sell your old Mando like I did selling my Eastman 515, but I have a new Eastman 305 that I think I like a bit better. Good luck!
    Quick reminder to update the instrument list in your footnote, Frankie!

  12. #11
    Registered User Willi Bahrenberg's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Oh, and welcome, Jeff!

  13. #12
    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greetings, new mando player

    Music is in your head, not a rulebook. Welcome.

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