Mandolin?

[The_walrus0]

Tell me about this interesting instrument?

I had never heard of it prior to learning the tin whistle and coming across Chiff and Fipple.

It seems popular and I am enamored. I have also decided that I want to play the pipes but those are just so very expensive and I think I'd like to wait until I live somewhere near a teacher.

But what kind of music is best played on the mandolin?

[maki]

So, this is my completely uninformed view after shopping for a new mandolin for the Mrs.,
I don't know much of anything............


Mandolins are super cool, but not as cool as the pipes, IMO.
They are enormously versatile, you can play many genres.
Bluegrass and Old-timey are the best known in this country.
But you can also do Celtic, Irish Trad, Eastern Euro, South American, classic, heck name it.
There are several broad types of mandos;
Arch tops, these are loud and often used for Bluegrass and Old-timey, but they work
well with just about anything.
Flat tops, these are often used for celtic.
Bowl backs, these fall into two classes- cheap wall hangers that should be givin away and ultra expensive classic models made by masters and used by well known performers.

So the best place to get more info is Mandolin Cafe;
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/
(Read and do research till yer eyes bleed.)

If you want to play Irish/Celtic you might look at the Big Muddy/Mid-Mo line of flat top mandolins- used ones go for 350-400 plus shipping. New are double that.
We just recently bought a new Kentucky for my wife, shes into music other than Irish but will still pick out a melody that I'm working on to amuse me.

There is just a ton of information and learning support for mandolins if thats what you decide to pursue. Just a word of warning, these aren't really cheap but they are somewhat more accesible than the pipes. Good luck

[The_walrus0]

Thanks for the information! I was just googling them the other day and they are fascinating. The Chiff crowd always has some tidbit of information that I can't find elsewhere.

[brewerpaul]

Mandolin is a terrific instrument. I play Irish music on it in a little Celtic band, but at home I play all sorts of stuff from jazzish music, rock, old time, klezmer, etc. I'll second the recommendation to go to mandolincafe.com and peruse the forums.

[Tim2723]

Maki made a pretty comprehensive post, but there's tons more info to be had. Reserching at Mandolin Cafe is your best resurce. They're the Chiff & Fipple of the mandolin world.

[Feadoggie]

But what kind of music is best played on the mandolin?

There are no limits to what can be played on the mandolin! It's an incredibly versatile instrument. It sounds sweet beyond belief. Here are some examples to ponder (in no particular order of importance).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOcncAx5ekY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr3FmEejk7A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGys4oY-1G4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVNVP3Ek6X0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg9bA92rDno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSpKLgwcXD8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEne36YxyKI

And oh, yeah, they come in many sizes and shapes. Mandolin acquisition syndrome is not unheard of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAB5Bib02M

And do visit the Mando Cafe. Mando's a fun instrument.

Feadoggie

[lament]

It seems that (much unlike the guitar) the mandolin only sounds good with fast crazy virtuosic stuff. As an adult learner is there any hope to learn something easy that sounds nice?

[maki]

It seems that (much unlike the guitar) the mandolin only sounds good with fast crazy virtuosic stuff. As an adult learner is there any hope to learn something easy that sounds nice?

You can definately play a mandolin as a guitar, by simply strumming.
Just a thought, but maybe you should choose an instrument that you love the sound of
and play. Forget easy, think joy.
Ever heard of a Whistle?

[Feadoggie]

It seems that (much unlike the guitar) the mandolin only sounds good with fast crazy virtuosic stuff. As an adult learner is there any hope to learn something easy that sounds nice?

If you're judging by the links I provided, those are some of the best players out there. But the Ry Cooder and Sam Bush examples are played more in a guitar style. You can truly play mandolin anyway you like. Strumming chords will work. The chop that drives Bluegrass music is just that. You just have to wrestle eight strings down to the frets to do it. But the shorter scale and smaller fingerboard help to make things easier to many than the guitar.

The Ukulele is going through a resurgence of popularity at the moment (which it seems to do once every decade). Either a soprano or concert sized uke would be a good bet if you are looking for ease of play. The nylon strings are more forgiving on the finger tips too. They don't take up much space either. And there are many decent yet inexpensive examples in the music stores at the moment which make it a snap to try.

My kids started out on Uke. The oldest now plays six string Bass and fiddle. The second plays acoustic guitar and some banjo. The youngest plays Uke, Mando, Guitar and Bass. So starting on Uke worked for them.

As Maki said, it's all about the joy.

Feadoggie

[Jäger]

My kids started out on Uke. The oldest now plays six string Bass and fiddle. The second plays acoustic guitar and some banjo. The youngest plays Uke, Mando, Guitar and Bass. So starting on Uke worked for them.

Now, don't be too modest, it can't all be the uke, it has to be some combination of good genes and (more importantly) parental support!

[Feadoggie]

it has to be some combination of good genes and (more importantly) parental support!

Well, of course you're right. It's not just the uke. But it is a very accessible instrument for all ages.

Parents can only present the possibilities. Kids seem to choose what they will or will not do with what's made available. Ironically, My father handed me on a uke (an Arthur Godfrey model if I recall correctly) as a child but not with any particular direction and no instruction at all. He was a keyboard player. I'm mostly a string player perhaps because of the uke.

Yo-Yo Ma, or perhaps his father, theorize that it takes three generations for the musician in a family to develop as a "natural". I think there is something to that. I would also offer that children that grow up in households where there is music being played are likely to develop as players themselves but perhaps on their own terms. What do you think?

One of the things I like about the ukulele is that it is one of the least threatening or daunting instruments out there - much like whistles or harmonicas. And what you learn on a uke is easily transferred to learning the mandolin, guitar, etc.. Some people stick with the uke. For others it's a gateway.

Feadoggie