With the hunting season ending, we as bowhunters must all channel our obsessive compulsive personalities into other hobbies that we will take far beyond the average person's endeavor, and soon realize we have mastered yet another quirky art before we move on to the next. For me......this has become the mandolin. When it comes to obsessing over hobbies, I usually turn to music if it isn't hunting related. I have played guitar and harmonica for a while now. With my interest in bluegrass and love of jam sessions, I figured it was only right that I learned the mandolin. For those that don't know, the mandolin can best be described as a banjo crossed with a violin. It has 8 strings, strung into pairs (so essentially it has 8 strings and only 4 notes). It is a small instrument largely played with picking patters during solos, but it also can be chorded for backup. For Christmas I got a Fender FM 52-E and I have been playing for about a month now. It has been a ton of fun and I can't wait to get really really good at it. I see videos on YouTube of people just shredding on these things, and I just dream of when I can do that one day. Here are some pics of my newest baby. Any other closet mando players out there?
I wish! The mandolin's an awesome instrument. Check out (youtube): Steve Earl (he does a kick-ass mandolin only copperhead row) Ricky skaggs And the virtuoso.....Sam Bush http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcIDjl2w1E0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qor_3az1YdU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk-jn9AMlCE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPGUFxyirzg
Oh, trust me.....I have logged some hours on YouTube getting inspired by some of the mando players out there. I can actually play Steve Earl's version of Copperhead Road. It was one of the first songs I learned on the little fella. It's always a crowd favorite.....to the right crowd.
That;s awesome (SE). I've always loved that version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpUlhoS4zLA This guy's good, too.....Here he is with Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gauR0gWqHTo And with his band....Nickel Creek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARIr6S_0lAQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng5-VUDcjJ8 Here's a guy we see whenever we can. I think you'll like this, too. This is him with old band (Lonesome River Band). He now plays guitar with Allison Kraus. Best male voice in bluegrass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFLP1degLCw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-AhlVZh51o&feature=related
I like both those bands, although the Lonesome River Band is more my style. One that cannot be denied though.....Steve Earl is as badass as they come. So far I have just been throwing together picking patterns from tabs of old fiddle tunes (8th of January, Cripple Creek, Whiskey Before Breakfast, etc.), but I am starting to learn more chords now so I can play along with my buddies for backup.
You have my respect. As a fledgling (still, after all these years) guitar player.....I've tried it.....and the mandolin is a tough instrument to play. Keep us posted on your progress.
