Anybody Here Play the Mandolin?

[Anung Un Rama]

I was doing some research on buying a ukelele and ran into some videos of mandolins and now I'm hooked.

I have no idea how difficult they are to play but they seem more manageable, size-wise, than my guitar, which has been played to death....and by "played to death" I mean placed on a stand and neglected. Size is an issue because I have the mits of a baby dwarf with progeria. Small hands, smell like cabbage.

The mandolin type I'm interested in is an octave mandolin. Its similar in shape and tone to an Irish bouzouki. Just my luck they seem to be the more rare kind and are therefore a little pricier.

I'm not going to buy one if I can't find a local place to take a few lessons first.

tl/dr

Do you play the mandolin. Any tips?

 

[bootsy]

I've never played mandolin, but my brother, who is also my best friend swears by his. He's been playing guitar for a long time and took to the mandolin quite naturally. I think he bought the Gibson retread.

 

[Car]

have you played around with anything that emulates a mandolin?

 

[Anung Un Rama]

have you played around with anything that emulates a mandolin?

Just my guitar. I've never gotten past beginner with it. Right when I started taking the lesson a bunch of things "came up" and by the time things settled down I kind of lost momentum.

There is a local (about 1 hour away) specialty shop that sells the mandolin I'm looking for. I'm going to try and find a closer place to take a few lessons and then go take a look at it. If it feels right I think I'll pick it up. If not, I'll start back up with the guitar.

edit: or a uke.

 

[SafyreSchool**]

 

[Anung Un Rama]

I've never played mandolin, but my brother, who is also my best friend swears by his. He's been playing guitar for a long time and took to the mandolin quite naturally. I think he bought the Gibson retread.

Thats the kind of testimonial I've been seeing; people who have taken guitar picking it up very quickly. Unfortunately I'm not really one of those people.

It looks to be a lot of fun, tho.

 

[Anung Un Rama]

I never understood what that duck meant? I'm sure its an insult, but does it have a specific meaning?

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

What kind of music are you planning to play/learn? Bluegrass? or Celtic? or what?


The strings are harder to press down than a bass or guitar. But it can be a lot of fun


I think uke would be the easiest for you to become proficient at, those are easy

 

[Car]

Just my guitar. I've never gotten past beginner with it. Right when I started taking the lesson a bunch of things "came up" and by the time things settled down I kind of lost momentum.

There is a local (about 1 hour away) specialty shop that sells the mandolin I'm looking for. I'm going to try and find a closer place to take a few lessons and then go take a look at it. If it feels right I think I'll pick it up. If not, I'll start back up with the guitar.

edit: or a uke.

fuck lessons dude, learn it on your own

 

[Anung Un Rama]

What kind of music are you planning to play/learn? Bluegrass? or Celtic? or what?

I love it all tbh, but would probably try my hand on Celtic and mandolin covers of songs traditionally played with guitar.

This Zeppelin cover set me off:

 

[SafyreSchool**]

I never understood what that duck meant? I'm sure its an insult, but does it have a specific meaning?

It wasn't an insult, just more of a bad pun.
Like, really bad.


Man-

 

[Anung Un Rama]

fuck lessons dude, learn it on your own

Thats my plan. I'm too impatient to sit with a guy giving me lessons but I need one or two just to know I'm not off on the wrong foot.

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

That's awesome (vid)^^


If you learn established songs, I think you will go far. If you spend all day trying to make your own as a beginner, I think your guitar will soon get a new cellmate

 

[Anung Un Rama]

haha, cell b

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

My advice is: are you "feelin it"? Not just superficially happy or buzzed but, you know


If so, then you must do it.

 

[Anung Un Rama]

^I believe that, too. I have to work the next 3 days. I'm probably going to pull the trigger Wed. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks!