Beginners' update

[Pen]

Sure - send me the words and I'll toss up a version.

[landshark]

Hi guys,
I have been busy practicing again, I took a month off and man my fingers hurt again. I decided since everyone else was learning Soldiers Joy to start that one also. Only 6 months until jamming in TP, I gotta get busy. Any other song recommendations?
Hopefully if all works out I will see you in Telluride.
Beth

Blue Night
Bluest Man in Town
Can't You Hear Me Callin
The First Whippoorwill
Tall Pines
Walls of Time
Before I Met You
Rough and Rocky
Darlin, Think Of What You've Done
Ida Red
Down the Road
Head Over Heels
High on a Mountain Top - Version #1
High on a Mountain Top - Version #2
Live and Let Live
Last Train from Poor Valley
Long Journey Home
Man In the Middle
Memories of Mom and Dad
Midnight, Moonlight
Old Home Place
On and On
Some Old Day
Stone Walls and Steel Bars
Sweetheart You've Done Me Wrong
Down to the River to Pray (Added in 2009)
Blue Moon of Kentucky (Added in 2009)
I'm Working on a Building (Added in 2009)
My Little Georgia Rose (Added in 2009)
Used to Be (Added in 2009)
Dooley (Added in 2009)
Sawin' on the Strings (Added in 2009)
Angel Band (Added in 2009)
Little Maggie (Added in 2009)
Ginseng Sullivan (Added in 2009)
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
 Beth go to the facebook PBG page for an excellent version of Soldiers Joy. They tear it up!

[landshark]

OK one thing is clear. When I lay down my mandolin and just sing. My voice is magnatudes better(which I will post on youtube later), but when I accompany myself I think I am trying to fit my range to the mandolin and my voice does not deliver. You will see. Is that unusual? I think I need to learn to play an instrument that has more range to accompany my vocals.

[Pen]

Hiyas Landy.  I would guess that you just need more practice.  The instrument, with practice, shouldn't affect your singing.  You may be inclined to sing higher (or lower I suppose) becouse of how your brain is wired and what your head tells you to do - but I would imagine you would improve as you practice.  The more comfortable you get on mando, the more you can concentrate on your voice.

Now, that being said, there are some instruments I think couple better with an individual singing and playing.  I think that the guitar and piano work better in a solo set (for me).  They offer more sustain and fill out the performance.

You have a really pretty voice and I'm certain you can improve.  Don't feel bad.  I know accomplished musicians that can't sing and play a lick at the same time.  Many would say I'm one of them!

[landshark]

Hey Pen thanks for your advise. In time I spose it will all settle in where it needs to be. Practice and patience. I can do both. Thanks for your kind words.

HEY HAPPY SATURDAY!!!

[landshark]

PENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How are you and your family? Hope your wife is well. Good thoughts goin'  out to you two...

I have been scolding myself as of lately for laying down my Mandolin a few weeks ago to focus on a house design and company tax, blah, blah, blah.............never gonna do THAT again! Daily life can always get in the way of big fun.
 WHATS UP WITH THAT??

Question

I rest the heel of my hand when I do a pickin tune to keep my point of referance on the strings. But my bridge is to far down on my mandolin I built this summer... If I adjust this will it change the intonation? Should I adjust it or should I take it to the shop?

[Pen]

Hiyas landy.  Sorry I've been MIA lately.  Our daughter, Sophie, was born a little over 3 weeks ago.  My bro-in-law gave me advice prior to her birth which has rung so true.  "1 kid is hard.  You would assume that 2 kids would be twice as hard.  It's not.  2 kids is INFINATELY harder than 1".  Man was he right.

Everyone is healthy and good - although a bit sleep deprived!

You won't be able to adjust the placement of the bridge.  A good way to test if it's in the right spot is to take a tuner and check if it's in tune w/ the open string - then jump up 12 frets and do it again.  There's only one spot the bridge can be in and have this work.  Do this with the G strings as well as the E strings.  Becouse this can sometimes be time consuming, I usually change strings 2 at a time so the bridge never moves. 

I am like you.  When I"m picking under control, I like to brace myself against a part of the instrument.  Try using the top inside part of your forearm against the top of the mando instead of your hand on the bridge (I happen to do both).  Maybe that will help.

Another question, I"m assuming your mando has a floating (movable) bridge - correct?  As I think about your issue, I'm wondering why you feel uncomfortable with the bridge placement.  Does having your hand that far back feel uncomforable - does it hurt - does it slow your speed or affect your ability?

Good luck - if it was easy - everyone would play mando!

[landshark]

  OHHHHHHHHHHH  her name is Sophie?

You can sleep later!!!

Ok so I see what you mean in changing my position to my inner forearm. I can do that...

In reference to my hand and my bridge. When I rest the heel of my hand there, my fingers are to short to pick up over the sound hole. So my hand gets tired of strechin' for it. So I thought if I moved the bridge up it would help.

But I would rather try switching positions than messin' with my girl.

This mandolin stays in tune and just rings out. You can tell it was made with love.
Kiss yer wife and that sweet baby for me...

[landshark]

I guess the sound is the same after all.. no matter where I strum. I keep killing some strings with the heel of my hand when steadying for a pickin tune. So maybe more like you suggest, it's not my bridge position but perhaps transfer my grip to my inner forarm and don't rest my hand. I tried it and it feels good. Have to get  use to the feel.

I am finally getting this pickin thing, just needed to focus. Sounds closer to music with a beat any who

Thanks for the tip Pen

[Pen]

I think I understand now.  Don't worry so much about picking directly over the soundhole.  Granted, strings won't have as much volume if you're bracing your hand against part of the bridge - but your control will be infinately better.  You will find that as you improve, you are better prepared to attack the strings while picking - thus getting more volume.  Then, you'll be better equiped to control the musical dynamics of your song.  Pianissimo to Fortissimo - use them all as required.  I will practice my scales at different volumes.

Lastly, with volume, it's not just the your picking that affect sound.
-There's the actual construction & bracing of a mando.
-Strings.  Try different sets of strings until you find ones you like.
-How much of the instrument is in contact with you while playing.  If your arm is draped on the instrument and the back of the mando is flush up against your belly/side - it takes away volume.  Maybe look at Tone Guards for the mando if you want to increase it's sound.

Lastly, as you are looking for a good hand position, spend some time on Youtube.  There are countless video's of accomplished mandolin players.  It may give you some ideas on ways to adjust our hand position.

[landshark]

  Hey Pen. Gonna post Coreena by Taj M. on youtube soon.

How is that sweet baby?

[Pen]

Babies good.  I feel like I've been hit by a bus - but everyone is healthy. 

Can't wait to see your rendition.  Good luck!

[landshark]

Nice photo Pen! It has come to my attention that perhaps I strum my mandolin a wee too much. I know there is some fast pickin in there somewhere. My pickin tunes are getting better with finally some more practice in, getting faster and better.
However, I love to sing. Strumin' and singin'. I think I will see about picking up a  guitar this week. I wonder if I remember how to play.... 

So my husband asked what I want to do after I dissolve my position with our company and I thought about this for about 3 full days...........

It has been really calling me hard as of lately. I want to become a serious song writer. He is going to laugh at me and say, yeah and I want to be the man on the moon....
All I can do is follow my heart and see where it leads me. Now I've said that about men a time er two and that turned out to be nothin but trouble. I guess we shall see, what will be will be. Kay sa-rah-sa-rah. Better go buy a dictionary
I hope he takes me seriously.....

[Pen]

That's a great goal Landy!  Best of luck.  I don't know that much about it.  I'm assuming you'll get involved with ASCAP (or a similar organization).  I've heard it can be hard - but hey - someones got to do it!

I'd agree with you about the guitar.  Tends to be easier to strum and sing.  Well - for me anyway.  If you would like a hand finding a good guitar, let me know.  It's something I know a lot about and I'd be happy to match you up with a good buy based on your budget and style of guitar you might prefer.  I check a few messageboards & craigslist daily and see a ton of good buys.

[landshark]

Oh goody I just figured out the song Up To The Mountain by Patty Griffin. Ever since Brian posted that on the facebook page I have not been able to get that beautiful song out of my head.
Theres just one note I can't figure out at the end.

I MISS EVERYONE!! Hope to see you Friday!