I just bought a Morgan Monroe 8w as my first mando, lol. So far I'm having a blast with it. I've been messing around with the scales and chords and such. Any advice
To a beginning player? I'm thinking about starting lessons because I'm a little rusty on sheet music.

E/ should I have a scale 100% memorized front and back before moving onto the next one? I kinda just skip around scales to improve my fretting technique and to get familiar with the different sounds

This post was edited by jimtheflow on Feb 18 2013 05:04pm

Btw I would like to be able to play irish songs, bluegrass, folk songs, blues and jazz

Anyone?

I don't play Mandolin, but I can advice you of what you could learn composed for the mandolin itself in the classical&baroque genre, if you want.

If I choose a specific style of music is it advised I stick with it till I become "fluent" in it's nature?

Doubt it.

I have a few mandolins and I have to say they are amazing.

Some bands you should listen to with mandolins in them are Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and Fleet Foxes. Ironically those are my 3 favorite bands, Mumford being my most favorite.


"Charlie Boy" by The Lumineers is a great mandolin song, so is "Winter Winds" by Mumford & Sons.



Message me if you need any help

I can play blue ridge mountains by fleet foxes I'll check out those other 2 bands thx

love to see new people getting into mandolin! ive played bluegrass/etc for about 12 years, actively in the live music scene. bluegrass is great because you can play anything with anyone without the need for amplification. ive got a collings MT (for me nothing out there compares to a collings -they are worth the money!). best advice for mandolin: develop at least semi-proper technique! your picking hand is very important. mandolin requires a different dexterity than guitar (metal heads eat your heart out). i played with poor right hand position for years and finally corrected it 5 years ago (took over a year to be 100% comfortable). if you get stressed, take a break! good luck!

as for inspiration there are a lot of good mando players out there. mumford and sons are great, their mando player doesnt really stand out to me. i suggest:
infamous stringdusters
chris thile
mike marshall
and my favorite, david "dawg" grisman.



This post was edited by juliusjuice on Mar 11 2013 11:27am

not quite mandolin, but related: