The tune book

Writing

Fifty field notes from the long, satisfying road of learning the mandolin.

Feb 25, 2023

What to do when you’re bored of mandolin?

So, you’re a mandolin player who’s feeling a bit lackluster lately? This is something all musicians can feel now and again. But, I’ve got some good news for you! There are actually ways to get your mojo back and start playing like the musical god(dess) you were born to be. In my upcoming blog post,

Feb 24, 2023

5 Tips to Increase Your Mandolin Musical Chemistry

Are you a mandolin player who loves to jam with others? Collaborating with other musicians can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it takes practice and skill to create a harmonious and seamless sound. Luckily, there are several tips and techniques you can use to improve your musical chemistry and become the ultimate jam session pro.

Feb 12, 2023

What is the perfect age to start learning mandolin?

Unlock the full potential as a mandolin player, no matter your age. Learn how to overcome self-doubt, fear of failure, negative experiences, and societal stereotypes to embrace the journey of learning the mandolin.

Feb 9, 2023

The Surprising Benefits of Taking Time Away from Mandolin Practice

Embark on a journey of musical discovery and unlock the power of taking time away from the mandolin. Immerse yourself in the world of mental practice, subconscious learning, and mindfulness, and discover how these powerful tools can help you reach new heights as a player. Say farewell to burnout and hello to a newfound sense of mastery, with tips and strategies for making the most of your musical practice.

Jan 12, 2023

7 Tips for maintaining and caring for your mandolin

As a musician, your instrument is a valuable and beloved part of your craft. It takes time, effort, and money to find the perfect mandolin, and once you have it, you want to do everything you can to keep it in top condition. But with all the demands of life and the busy schedules we

Jan 7, 2023

The Best Mandolin Books for Learning Chords

Mandolin chords, the voice of the instrument. Knowledge of these different chords allows you to produce a wide range of sounds and harmonies, that everyone loves to hear. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking to improve your skills on the mandolin and become a true master of the instrument. Well my dear

Jan 4, 2023

How to Use Scales to Improvise on the Mandolin

Greetings, fellow mandolinists! Are you ready to take your soloing skills to the next level? By harnessing the power of scales, you can add depth and variety to your improvising and truly make your playing your own. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of using scales as a foundation for your mandolin solos.

Jan 1, 2023

Achieve Mandolin Mastery with Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound Goals

Welcome to our article on the importance of setting SMART goals for mandolin players. If you’re serious about improving your mandolin skills and reaching new levels of musical excellence, setting SMART goals can be a powerful tool to help you get there. But what exactly are SMART goals, and why are they so effective for

Dec 31, 2022

Mandolin Chord Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide

As a mandolin player, understanding the different types of chords and the emotions they convey is crucial to creating and interpreting music. From major chords with their bright, cheerful sound, to minor chords with their darker, more somber tone, each type of chord has the power to evoke a particular mood or feeling. And as

Dec 30, 2022

Top 5 Mandolin Pickups for Optimal Sound Quality

Are you sick of straining to hear your mandolin over the rest of your band? Are you ready to bring your playing to the next level with a top-notch pickup? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve scoured the internet to bring you the cream of the crop when it comes to mandolin pickups. Whether you’re a

Dec 29, 2022

The Mandolin Family: A Comparison of the Different Types and Their Features

Are you ready to discover the world of mandolin-family instruments? From the bright, punchy sound of the mandolin to the rich, full sound of the mandocello and everything in between, these versatile and expressive instruments have been captivating musicians for centuries. And with different body styles, soundhole shapes, and even the option of electric amplification,

Dec 28, 2022

Mastering Mandolin Chord Progressions: Techniques for Elevating Your Playing

As a mandolin player, you have a wide range of chord progressions at your fingertips to help bring your music to life! One useful tool for understanding these progressions is the circle of fifths, which shows the relationships between different keys and chords. By using the circle of fifths, you can find the chords for a particular key and practice playing different progressions using those chords. Whether you want to rock out with a driving I-IV-V progression or add some jazz flair with a ii-V-I progression, the circle of fifths can help you understand how different progressions work and how to use them in your playing. So grab your mandolin and start exploring the world of chord progressions today!

Dec 27, 2022

Mandolin is Easy. Mandolin is Hard. Which is it?

Are you thinking about learning the mandolin? You might be wondering if it’s easy or hard to pick up. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that can affect how difficult it is to learn this beautiful instrument. Whether you’re an experienced musician or a beginner, we’ll give you the tips you need to make

Dec 26, 2022

Enhance Your Mandolin Skills with These Ear Training Techniques

What is ear training? Ear training is a crucial aspect of becoming a proficient musician. It involves honing your ability to recognize and reproduce melodies, harmonies, and rhythms solely by listening, without the aid of written notation. This skill is essential for any musician, and it is particularly valuable for mandolin players, who often play

Dec 25, 2022

Exploring the Modes: A Guide for Mandolin Players

What are modes for mandolin? Imagine you are standing on a mountain overlooking a vast landscape. The landscape represents the different notes that make up a piece of music. Each note is like a different peak in the landscape, each with its own unique character and shape. Now imagine that the landscape is divided into

Dec 24, 2022

Master the Art of Negative Harmony on the Mandolin

Negative harmony is a unique and captivating technique used in mandolin playing that involves playing a melody in a lower octave than the accompaniment. This adds depth and complexity to the music and can be incorporated into any genre. Mastering negative harmony on the mandolin requires practice and experimentation, and is a great way to add a new dimension to your playing.

Dec 23, 2022

A Brief History of the Mandolin: From Italy to the World

Early History in Italy The mandolin is a stringed instrument with a rich and fascinating history that stretches back over 300 years. It is believed to have originated in Italy in the early 18th century, and it was originally used to play classical music. The mandolin has a pear-shaped body with a narrow neck and

Dec 22, 2022

How to Attach a Mandolin Strap

Why use a mandolin strap? A mandolin strap is an important accessory for any mandolin player, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned musician. Here are three reasons why a mandolin strap is important: Improved comfort and stability: A mandolin strap helps distribute the weight of the instrument evenly across your body, reducing strain

Jul 6, 2022

5 Awesome Cases for A-Style and F-Style Mandolins

Discover some of the best mandolin cases available online.

Sep 23, 2021

Midnight Loon

Sep 15, 2021

Breakfast Burrito

The best breakfast burrito is the breakfast burrito you have with you. In a perfect world this includes these highly active ingredients: Freshly skillet fried tortilla Scrambled eggs Salt and pepper Hot salsa That’s how I like it. A foolproof balance between accessibility and deliciousness. If you pair it with the expansive West Virginian wilderness

Aug 19, 2021

A verrrry thoughtful mandolin jam

Do you ever start jammin in the backyard only to find yourself deeply contemplative but also with an entirely blank mind? Just the mando tunes and the breeze.

Aug 12, 2021

Mandocaster jam!

Oct 12, 2020

Dimensional Mandolin

Mandolin is an exceedingly versatile instrument. Perhaps more than any of us can imagine. As mandolin lovers, we hope for the instrument to continue to evolve and flourish in all settings. Better yet, we’d like to join our instruments into these new realms. The goal of this article is to help accomplish this. Enter: Dimensional

Oct 7, 2020

How and Why to Learn Mandolin Cross-Picking

Learn how to use the mandolin technique of cross-picking to add flavor and dexterity to your mandolin repertoire.

Sep 22, 2020

5 Ways to Spice Up Your Mandolin Playing

Here are 5 styles and ideas in order to improve your mandolin playing and give yourself a unique sound.

Sep 21, 2020

How to Effectively Learn and Memorize Songs on the Mandolin

Effectively commit mandolin tunes and songs to memory with these easy steps.

Sep 15, 2020

The 6 Best Pedals for Your Mandolin

This article explains which are the essential pedals to get as a mandolin player.

Sep 3, 2020

Comparing Yourself to Other Mandolin Players

How to cope with comparing your mandolin playing to others.

Aug 30, 2020

5 Most Useful Mandolin Scales

Here are the most important mandolin scales to know for improvising and making riffs.

Aug 22, 2020

9 Items to Keep in Your Mandolin Case

These are the nine essential items to keep in your mandolin case so that you are prepared for any situation.

Aug 18, 2020

Backyard Jam: Hartford’s Reel

First time I heard the Sam Bush and David Grisman album Hold On, We’re Strummin’ I must have had Hartford’s Reel on repeat no less than 5 times. It’s such a great tune, capturing the essences of Hartford, Bush, Grisman, as well as the mandolin itself. It’s quick, playful, exploring. That’s the mandolin, isn’t it?

Aug 12, 2020

19 Invaluable Mandolin Stretches

Discover great stretches which will aid your long term and short term mandolin playing.

Aug 7, 2020

Best Mandolin Straps 2023

Here are the best mandolin, mandola, mandocello, and octave mandolin straps.

Aug 6, 2020

Backyard Jam: Whiskey Before Breakfast

Little jam out in my North Carolina backyard. Dogs barking along and the sun high in the sky. Not a scorcher however. Gorgeous day. These are the best days in NC. The times were uncertain. The beginning of 2020’s quarantine is when this was filmed. Perhaps my self haircut is proof of the era. I

Aug 3, 2020