Bit of a query for you. I have been playing guitar for a number of years and about 3 years ago I decided to extend myself and buy myself a mandolin. Interestingly I have become so animated by the mandolin that my beautiful acoustic guitar now largely gets put to one side in favour of the mando! (Not that I am especially concerned about this as I know that I always return to it).
Anyway I have been thinking of selling my electric guitar (a hasty purchase one Christmas in the hope that I would take to it) in favour of either an upgrade on my mando or possibly a bouzouki. Unfortunately I can't seem to make up my mind. I love the mando and I seem to have been able to bring my learning from the guitar over to the new instrument easily. The trouble is that I actually love the sound of both instruments equally and if I was a man of untold wealth and leisure I would buy both. Trouble is that I'm not!!!!!
I would really welcome hearing about the experience of others.
To help a little - the music I play is almost exclusively ITM although I do sometimes extend to Welsh TM or general folk music.
Probably playing the tunes really. As for playing in sessions, well I live in the middle of nowhere in the heart of Staffordshire so travelling to sessions would be problematic. However, in the summer months I can usually be found at some Folk festival or other and the inevitable sessions that go on until some ungodly hours.
Other than that I play for my own enjoyment in my lounge or out in the garden!
I'd get a better mandolin if I was you, I think a bazouki is kind of half way between a mandolin and a guitar, so kind of pointless really if you have both already. Also, it's good that you are getting into playing the tunes, it will improve your guitar playing no end, and a mandolin is better suited to playing tunes than a bazouki. (not as good a any instrument you can play rolls on, but that's another thread). Also, if you're into festivaling, the portability of a mandolin might have some sway.
not convinced about the line "earning a seat closer to the center of action is a fair goal for the newcomer to a session". If you are a newcomer to where I play, room will be made if you can play. And it won't if you can't. There's no "earning" about it.
I thought it was an election broadcast on behalf of the "Control Party". Do ITM musicians not realise that not everyone suffers from a lack of social skills? People should be quite comfortable knowing how to act at a session, without being scared half to death by nonsense like that e-mail, and some posts on this board.
You sound as though your experience is similar to mine. Guitars for years, bought a Mandolin and loved it. ( I also bought a tenor banjo, and love that as well). Then I came across an Octave Mandola, and that was it!! I have traded my mandolin in for a very good Octave Mandola (Fylde), and have never regretted the decision. The sound is so brilliant, and the fingering is the same as the banjo.
I too play for my own enjoyment, and have no local sessions.
I occasionally play the mandola at my local folk club.
Welshman, I feel your pain... I've been exACTly where you are.... So here's my advice. Don't fight it, you're going to end up as a tenor banjo player, no matter how you look at it.... Come to the dark side...
And a mandola, and have you tried tenor guitar? And if you're playing all those mando things you might as well give fiddle a go, and then with all those stringy things you'll need something for contrast, flute perhaps for a start, and then . . . .
A ten string mandolin is not a cittern, Paul Shippey and Stefan Sobell [ who incidently invented the modern cittern ] both make 10 string mandolins which are not citterns, they have five courses tuned E A D G C which encompasses the range of the mandolin and mandola and have a mandola scale length, no where near the size of a cittern.
Dave, whats the volume level on your 10string mando's i am very interested.
? I liked petes point about the tenor banjo, i tried mandolin, mandola, befor i got a banjo, but moved , and have stayed with the fiddle.
The tenor banjo, is a great instrument but very hard to play, i found, or should i say to reach a high level, and stay there, requires constant dedication and practice. I only stopped because all the picking, guitar, banjo and mandolin, was wrecking my right elbow.
So for session use to my mind the banjo is a cracker, but solo playing is super hard. Have you tried the hammer dulcimer?[joke]
Ah another case of instrument acquiring syndrome IAS, if im not mistaken Doctor. No known remedy im afraid, and its contagious Another victim of our master plan... Mha ha ha ha[ wicked evil laugh]
jig, I have a 10 string Bouzouki/Cittern made by Fletcher Brock (It's really too long in scale to be considered a Cittern, I think). It holds its own in a session. Playing tunes on it is fine, unless the session is particularly large and loud. But I play tunes on it with a fairly loud piper and a box player, and it does OK. And it has a great voice for accompaniment.
Volume-wise, it's better than my mandolin in a session environment, I think. A lot of mandolins that are loud enough for a session seem to come across as a bit tinny sounding. I am working my way towards a custom mandolin from Herb Taylor - but again, probably won't stand up real well in a loud session. But that's why god gave us the banjo
there is a guy in germany making bouzouki's mandolins and guitars, Heiner Dreizehtner, I have a large bouzouki he made, great crisp sound, I think you should go for a better mando..... Gerry.
I don't really play guitar, but I have three (acoustic + electric), and I play mandolin and have four PLUS a tenor guitar; BUT - now this is what I find - I play my one main mandolin constantly, take it to sessions, it does everything I want ,and although I often take half-hour forays into playing the tenor, or the Strat, or the open-tuned mandolin, I always come back to that one gigging mandolin that I play to death. Oh, yes, I'd love a mandola. and also a tenor banjo; I wouldn't mind a Telecaster too, and maybe a Gretsch Country Gentleman (in green?) but, do you know, I reckon I'd still be playing that mandolin most of the time!
New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Bit of a query for you. I have been playing guitar for a number of years and about 3 years ago I decided to extend myself and buy myself a mandolin. Interestingly I have become so animated by the mandolin that my beautiful acoustic guitar now largely gets put to one side in favour of the mando! (Not that I am especially concerned about this as I know that I always return to it).
Anyway I have been thinking of selling my electric guitar (a hasty purchase one Christmas in the hope that I would take to it) in favour of either an upgrade on my mando or possibly a bouzouki. Unfortunately I can't seem to make up my mind. I love the mando and I seem to have been able to bring my learning from the guitar over to the new instrument easily. The trouble is that I actually love the sound of both instruments equally and if I was a man of untold wealth and leisure I would buy both. Trouble is that I'm not!!!!!
I would really welcome hearing about the experience of others.
To help a little - the music I play is almost exclusively ITM although I do sometimes extend to Welsh TM or general folk music.
Thanks folks
D
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by WelshGuy
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
It's a little bit like deciding do you want to buy a car or a 10-speed bike. Both are wonderful, but they're for very different purposes.
Do you plan on playing the tunes or backing them (or both.) Will you play in a session environment with lots of fiddles, flutes, etc?
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by grego
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Probably playing the tunes really. As for playing in sessions, well I live in the middle of nowhere in the heart of Staffordshire so travelling to sessions would be problematic. However, in the summer months I can usually be found at some Folk festival or other and the inevitable sessions that go on until some ungodly hours.
Other than that I play for my own enjoyment in my lounge or out in the garden!
D
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by WelshGuy
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Mandolin then.
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
I'd get a better mandolin if I was you, I think a bazouki is kind of half way between a mandolin and a guitar, so kind of pointless really if you have both already. Also, it's good that you are getting into playing the tunes, it will improve your guitar playing no end, and a mandolin is better suited to playing tunes than a bazouki. (not as good a any instrument you can play rolls on, but that's another thread). Also, if you're into festivaling, the portability of a mandolin might have some sway.
How about opting for a 10 string mandolin?
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
10 string madolin=cittern
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by bazouki dave
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
whoops too much beer
ten string mandolin= cittern
# Posted on October 25th 2007 by bazouki dave
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
gill
what did you think of that email ,
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Saint
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
not convinced about the line "earning a seat closer to the center of action is a fair goal for the newcomer to a session". If you are a newcomer to where I play, room will be made if you can play. And it won't if you can't. There's no "earning" about it.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Fair enough I thought that to but I just thought it was a nice but piece.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Saint
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
yeah, straight forward, like all of session etiquette. It's nothing more than manners
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
I thought it was an election broadcast on behalf of the "Control Party". Do ITM musicians not realise that not everyone suffers from a lack of social skills? People should be quite comfortable knowing how to act at a session, without being scared half to death by nonsense like that e-mail, and some posts on this board.
Stick to the mandolin.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
You sound as though your experience is similar to mine. Guitars for years, bought a Mandolin and loved it. ( I also bought a tenor banjo, and love that as well). Then I came across an Octave Mandola, and that was it!! I have traded my mandolin in for a very good Octave Mandola (Fylde), and have never regretted the decision. The sound is so brilliant, and the fingering is the same as the banjo.
I too play for my own enjoyment, and have no local sessions.
I occasionally play the mandola at my local folk club.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by mandonewbie
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Welshman, I feel your pain... I've been exACTly where you are.... So here's my advice. Don't fight it, you're going to end up as a tenor banjo player, no matter how you look at it.... Come to the dark side...
Pete
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Reverend
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Yes, Pete's right. You need two guitars, two mandolins, three tenor banjos, a bouzouki, and an octave mandolin. Anything less is to go without...
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by grego
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
what email? (or was this refering to something off-list?)
- Chris
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
And a mandola, and have you tried tenor guitar? And if you're playing all those mando things you might as well give fiddle a go, and then with all those stringy things you'll need something for contrast, flute perhaps for a start, and then . . . .
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by c.g.
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
A ten string mandolin is not a cittern, Paul Shippey and Stefan Sobell [ who incidently invented the modern cittern ] both make 10 string mandolins which are not citterns, they have five courses tuned E A D G C which encompasses the range of the mandolin and mandola and have a mandola scale length, no where near the size of a cittern.
Dave H
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Dave Hanson
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Mandolins rule for playing tunes!
Kess
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Kess
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Dave, whats the volume level on your 10string mando's i am very interested.
? I liked petes point about the tenor banjo, i tried mandolin, mandola, befor i got a banjo, but moved , and have stayed with the fiddle.
The tenor banjo, is a great instrument but very hard to play, i found, or should i say to reach a high level, and stay there, requires constant dedication and practice. I only stopped because all the picking, guitar, banjo and mandolin, was wrecking my right elbow.
So for session use to my mind the banjo is a cracker, but solo playing is super hard. Have you tried the hammer dulcimer?[joke]
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Allright welshman, whats the craic?
I would go for a new mando myself. especially if you mainly play on your own for your own enjoyment.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by session savage
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
cant beat a zouk
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by ecidralla
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Hmm .. now let's see. When I started I was torn between two ... now I want a:
Mandolin
Octave mandolin
Bouzouki
Cittern
Tenor banjo
Fiddle
Flute
Hammer dulcimer
Such high class problems. Anyone know a rich widow on her last legs that I try to could seduce?
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by WelshGuy
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Ah another case of instrument acquiring syndrome IAS, if im not mistaken Doctor. No known remedy im afraid, and its contagious Another victim of our master plan... Mha ha ha ha[ wicked evil laugh]
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
jig, I have a 10 string Bouzouki/Cittern made by Fletcher Brock (It's really too long in scale to be considered a Cittern, I think). It holds its own in a session. Playing tunes on it is fine, unless the session is particularly large and loud. But I play tunes on it with a fairly loud piper and a box player, and it does OK. And it has a great voice for accompaniment.
Volume-wise, it's better than my mandolin in a session environment, I think. A lot of mandolins that are loud enough for a session seem to come across as a bit tinny sounding. I am working my way towards a custom mandolin from Herb Taylor - but again, probably won't stand up real well in a loud session. But that's why god gave us the banjo
Pete
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Reverend
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
There is a nice 10 string, short scale, Stefan Sobell Cittern for sale on ebay.co.uk at the moment if you are interested....cant remember how much...
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by seaniemcg
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Dagger Gordon plays a ten string Sobell mandolin which makes my lovely resonant Dow sound like it's made of paper and rubber bands.
OK, maybe he's just a better player.
But you aren't going to pick up a Sobell for spare change.
I'd still get a better mandolin if I were you.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by Bren
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
there is a guy in germany making bouzouki's mandolins and guitars, Heiner Dreizehtner, I have a large bouzouki he made, great crisp sound, I think you should go for a better mando..... Gerry.
# Posted on October 26th 2007 by bouzouki1
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
I don't really play guitar, but I have three (acoustic + electric), and I play mandolin and have four PLUS a tenor guitar; BUT - now this is what I find - I play my one main mandolin constantly, take it to sessions, it does everything I want ,and although I often take half-hour forays into playing the tenor, or the Strat, or the open-tuned mandolin, I always come back to that one gigging mandolin that I play to death. Oh, yes, I'd love a mandola. and also a tenor banjo; I wouldn't mind a Telecaster too, and maybe a Gretsch Country Gentleman (in green?) but, do you know, I reckon I'd still be playing that mandolin most of the time!
# Posted on October 27th 2007 by flatback88
Re: New instrument - bouzouki or mandolin?
Check out Johny Moynihans quote on;
http://stage6.divx.com/user/celticunderground/video/1442211/Folk-Hibernia
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by piobagusfidil