Great user-friendly teaching style. You are a great musician and an empathetic teacher. I'm a bluegrass rythym guitarist but a beginner mandoliner. I feel like my fingers are too big for the neck of my Eastman F5. In my dreams I fly on this instrument. But, when I awake . . . I'll be checking back as I work on Lesson I and II. Thank you, David. *Eva Rose
I played drums for many years so the rhythm and strumming patterns come pretty easy, but playing the chords clean and finger stretches are another story.
I just got my first mandolin and my fingertips HURT after following just the first couple of your videos. But I won't give up! Let's build-up those calluses :D
How much it hurts (in the beginning) also depends on the string "action" (meaning how high the strings are above the fretboard). The higher the strings, the more force is needed to press them down, which makes the fingertips hurt. You can usually lower the strings by turning two screws on the bridge, thus reducing the "action" and making pressing down the strings easier and less hurtful. The only bad thing that can happen if you have the strings too low is that they may buzz, caused by the vibrating strings hitting frets. If you don't want the buzz, detune your mandolin (loosening all strings significantly) and raising the bridge again somewhat. Also, when you lower the bridge, the sound changes subtly, the notes are not quite as loud and ringing anymore, but you can find your own preferred setting easily.
This video is great. I am just learning to play the mandolin. Nice and clear instruction. i can play the guitar so I am ok with strumming patterns. It's just such a sweet sound out of a mandolin, that I thought I would learn to play one. 10019
Hello David. New guy here. Just bought a like new, used mandolin and have joined your Patreon to start learning. I spent a week going through these 3 chords and they are starting to sound clear so I can feel and hear progress. Appreciate your website and style of teaching. Someday I'll post something amazing that I've learned to play. Practice, practice, practice.
Hey David. I really like your videos and am a low level supporter of yours on Patreon, so I don't want you to take me for a troll. :) I've watched probably all the beginner lessons here on youtube and i wonder why everyone teaches a chord or two and goes straight into teaching some song or other and brushes past or completely skip some VERY important info on technique. So, for example , lets call this is a second lesson because it kinda is. And you briefly mention throwing in an upstroke like its the easiest thing in the world and requires no further explanation. Man, trying to get the full stroke AT ALL for a beginner is very, very difficult. At least it is for THIS beginner, and i'm a pretty average guy. I've been watching your videos for years as well as many other beginner videos, but i've only just acquired and started playing a mandolin in the last month. I'm figuring out chord shapes no problem. I can change chords about as well as you would expect a beginner to do. But i'm finding even upstrokes to be much, much more difficult than these beginner videos make it out to be and I can't seem to find a tutorial on practicing just that. Any advice, anyone?
@@DavidBenedictMandolin Today I went to my friend's house to to play the mandolin because I don't have one of my own. I start learning those beginner exercise that you have taught. I feel really good. I'll try to get one of my own. I'll try to learn everything what you have taught. Thank you for the lesson.
Yeah I played guitar in bars for 60 years - ( I’m 85 now) picked up a cheap mando about 2 months ago - now have a Loar 520- stretching my biggest problem with Arthur in hands😢
Just bought my mandolin Saturday. I am digging your videos and teaching style. A couple questions please. Practicing is making my fingers very sore, I’m wondering if a different type strings might help? Can you recommend a brand of strings please? Also I like the wall mounted mandolin holder you are using. Where might one order one of those please? Thank you so much ! God Bless! Kevin
Hi David … thanks for these mandolin videos. I have a question for you. I have been playing a stringed instrument for about 3 weeks. It is a baritone ukulele and is tuned like the top 4 strings of a guitar … DGBE. I haven’t bought a mandolin yet but I wonder if I can tune the B string on the ukulele down to an A and play it using mandolin chords?
Hey man! First of thanks for sharing these videos. Just yesterday I was talking with my father about learning an Instrument and the difficulties of it, especialy about finding the teacher one can connect and relate best to. I have been watching some of your videos now multiple times and I really like the way you transport your knowledge and how you build it up. I am interested in joining your patreon and was wondering the following, since I'm not familiar with the concept: is it possible to upgrade or quit at any time? And do you support paypal? And am I allowed to keep your book if patreon ends? Best regards from vienna!
Awesome! Glad the videos are coming across well! And yes, you can join Patreon download as much content on there as you'd like for keeps, and cancel your account whenever you'd like. I don't think there's PayPal compatibility, but you can use any major credit/debit card. Hope this helps, and thanks so much for checking out my content!
Oooo! Good question--I'm not a pianist so I'm afraid I couldn't say for sure, but I know there are folks out there who play guitar/mandolin and piano at a high level. Best wishes!
I just got a Mando and can already play a load of chords and that, so fruggin cool, if you play guitar, is just the same exact shapes and chords etc but in reverse - reverse the chord shape on Mando and you're laughing! (I'm sure I have plenty to learn of course)
Great user-friendly teaching style. You are a great musician and an empathetic teacher. I'm a bluegrass rythym guitarist but a beginner mandoliner. I feel like my fingers are too big for the neck of my Eastman F5. In my dreams I fly on this instrument. But, when I awake . . . I'll be checking back as I work on Lesson I and II. Thank you, David. *Eva Rose
I REALLY like your teaching style! Clear, you keep it moving and quick explanations!! You ROCK! 👍👍
Awesome! Thank you!
As a guitar player I do not own a mandoline yet, but already find the lessons very useful!
I played drums for many years so the rhythm and strumming patterns come pretty easy, but playing the chords clean and finger stretches are another story.
I just got my first mandolin and my fingertips HURT after following just the first couple of your videos. But I won't give up! Let's build-up those calluses :D
You can do it!
me 2!
You still going brother?
How much it hurts (in the beginning) also depends on the string "action" (meaning how high the strings are above the fretboard). The higher the strings, the more force is needed to press them down, which makes the fingertips hurt. You can usually lower the strings by turning two screws on the bridge, thus reducing the "action" and making pressing down the strings easier and less hurtful. The only bad thing that can happen if you have the strings too low is that they may buzz, caused by the vibrating strings hitting frets. If you don't want the buzz, detune your mandolin (loosening all strings significantly) and raising the bridge again somewhat. Also, when you lower the bridge, the sound changes subtly, the notes are not quite as loud and ringing anymore, but you can find your own preferred setting easily.
This was awesome. I pick up quickly with music . I have decided to challenge myself with the mandolin . 👍🏽
Wooo! Welcome to the mando club!
in these days I am in love of mandolin .Thanku so much Master.
Excellent tuition. Clear cut & simple to follow. Thank you. Respect from London.UK
Awesome! Glad to hear this was helpful! Happy picking!
I love how you teach...very helpful!
This video is great. I am just learning to play the mandolin. Nice and clear instruction. i can play the guitar so I am ok with strumming patterns. It's just such a sweet sound out of a mandolin, that I thought I would learn to play one. 10019
Subscribed and started to learn here. Thank u so much for this lesson
Whooo! Happy picking!
Hey dude thank you. Now I can Clint Eastwood!!! You rock!!!!!
Glad I could help!
I love the video and I support
Great lesson. I've been following you for a minute on Instagram and today I signed up for your patreon. Thank you for these lessons.
Hello David. New guy here. Just bought a like new, used mandolin and have joined your Patreon to start learning. I spent a week going through these 3 chords and they are starting to sound clear so I can feel and hear progress. Appreciate your website and style of teaching. Someday I'll post something amazing that I've learned to play. Practice, practice, practice.
Excellent, very nice method of teaching.
this is so so clear..Thanks a million!
Good lesson and style
Been great so far!!!
I will check out your Patreon page,nice little lesson....
Thanks. I am hoping I can do this! :)
Hey David. I really like your videos and am a low level supporter of yours on Patreon, so I don't want you to take me for a troll. :) I've watched probably all the beginner lessons here on youtube and i wonder why everyone teaches a chord or two and goes straight into teaching some song or other and brushes past or completely skip some VERY important info on technique. So, for example , lets call this is a second lesson because it kinda is. And you briefly mention throwing in an upstroke like its the easiest thing in the world and requires no further explanation. Man, trying to get the full stroke AT ALL for a beginner is very, very difficult. At least it is for THIS beginner, and i'm a pretty average guy. I've been watching your videos for years as well as many other beginner videos, but i've only just acquired and started playing a mandolin in the last month. I'm figuring out chord shapes no problem. I can change chords about as well as you would expect a beginner to do. But i'm finding even upstrokes to be much, much more difficult than these beginner videos make it out to be and I can't seem to find a tutorial on practicing just that. Any advice, anyone?
hi again, is there any way to buy your book without joining patreon?
I want to learn mandolin. Hope I can do it.
You can do it!!!
@@DavidBenedictMandolin Today I went to my friend's house to to play the mandolin because I don't have one of my own. I start learning those beginner exercise that you have taught. I feel really good. I'll try to get one of my own. I'll try to learn everything what you have taught. Thank you for the lesson.
Yeah I played guitar in bars for 60 years - ( I’m 85 now) picked up a cheap mando about 2 months ago - now have a Loar 520- stretching my biggest problem with Arthur in hands😢
Just bought my mandolin Saturday. I am digging your videos and teaching style. A couple questions please. Practicing is making my fingers very sore, I’m wondering if a different type strings might help? Can you recommend a brand of strings please? Also I like the wall mounted mandolin holder you are using. Where might one order one of those please? Thank you so much ! God Bless!
Kevin
Hi David … thanks for these mandolin videos. I have a question for you. I have been playing a stringed instrument for about 3 weeks. It is a baritone ukulele and is tuned like the top 4 strings of a guitar … DGBE. I haven’t bought a mandolin yet but I wonder if I can tune the B string on the ukulele down to an A and play it using mandolin chords?
Hey man!
First of thanks for sharing these videos. Just yesterday I was talking with my father about learning an Instrument and the difficulties of it, especialy about finding the teacher one can connect and relate best to. I have been watching some of your videos now multiple times and I really like the way you transport your knowledge and how you build it up.
I am interested in joining your patreon and was wondering the following, since I'm not familiar with the concept: is it possible to upgrade or quit at any time? And do you support paypal? And am I allowed to keep your book if patreon ends?
Best regards from vienna!
Awesome! Glad the videos are coming across well! And yes, you can join Patreon download as much content on there as you'd like for keeps, and cancel your account whenever you'd like. I don't think there's PayPal compatibility, but you can use any major credit/debit card. Hope this helps, and thanks so much for checking out my content!
Can mandolin be used to play all chords like guitar or is it possible to find chords of any song on mandolin
I play piano at an advanced level and I’m trying to learn mandolin and play it seriously. Do you think the calluses will impede my piano playing?
Oooo! Good question--I'm not a pianist so I'm afraid I couldn't say for sure, but I know there are folks out there who play guitar/mandolin and piano at a high level. Best wishes!
What brand of strings do you have on yours
Yep. This this guy.
I just got a Mando and can already play a load of chords and that, so fruggin cool, if you play guitar, is just the same exact shapes and chords etc but in reverse - reverse the chord shape on Mando and you're laughing! (I'm sure I have plenty to learn of course)
Mandolin is tuned in 5ths like the violin, so if you understand a little about the mandolin, you can try picking up a violin someday .
I am finding it impossible to play the C chord without muting the A string entirely, and any adjustments i make just dont work...