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How similar is a mandolin to a guitar?

I want to play a unique instrument.
I have done 7+ years of piano, but quit in 5th grade because we couldn’t find a teacher. I’ve had a few guitar lessons before, but basically that’s the only music experience I’ve had.

I don’t necessarily want it to be very similar to a guitar, I enjoyed the few lessons that I had but it wasn’t very exciting for me.
I like mandolins because they are unique, and small, and I’m pretty petite. (That’s why guitars were really frustrating for me.)

I think they sound beautiful, too. I’ve also considered the accordion, because those are also unique and can be very beautiful as well.

If the mandolin “speaks” to you, then you should definitely try one out. They’re great fun! They are tuned like a violin though, not like a guitar: E-A-D-G high to low; 8 strings where two and two are tuned in unison.

Like most other instruments, you can get a basic feel for it and learn the basic chord structures etc. fairly quick. But it does take lots of practice to master … again just like any other instrument.

Regarding your trouble with guitars. This may be due to you having the wrong kind of guitar, or a guitar not properly set up (adjusted) for your type of playing.

Take a guitar with a large box, long scale, heavy strings, wide and fat neck and high action, and you’re looking at an instrument that is hard to get a grip on (literally). Shorter scale, narrower and slimmer neck, lower action (strings closer to the fingerboard), lighter strings and a smaller box – and you have an instrument that is far more easy to play.

The scale is the length of the vibrating part of the strings, by the way – it’s the distance between the nut and the saddle. When the scale is shorter, the distance between the frets are shorter too. So yes, a mandolin (properly set up), should definitely be easier to handle (narrow neck, very short scale).

Oh, and yes, the accordion can be way cool too! Our keyboard player uses one from time to time in one of our bands.

Best of luck with your playing!

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First Lesson Mandolin by Bruce, Dix Edition , 0 $20.49 First Lessons Mandolin teaches the absolute basics of learning to play mandolin from holding the pick to performing easy mandolin tunes. It doesn’t get any easier than this! Students learn how to hold the mandolin correctly, how to read mandolin tablature, basic note reading, the most popular mandolin chords, how to play easy melodies in several musical styles, basic picking technique, how to tune the mandolin, and much more. Along the way students will learn about the greatest mandolin players and their music. The main emphasis of First Lessons Mandolin is to get the student up and playing immediately and to have fun doing it! A companion CD and DVD are included. DVD 139:00 minutes.

Mandolin $68.51 Mandolin. Mandore (instrument), Electric mandolin, Mandola, Octave mandolin, Mandocello, Mandolin orchestra, Fretworks Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, Bluegrass music, Czech bluegrass, Choro, Cavaquinho, The Ditty Bops, Sam Bush Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 66 Publication Date: 2009/10/08 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.15 inches

GREAT MANDOLIN LESSONS BY BALDASSARI,BUTCH (DVD) $24.51 Artist: BALDASSARI,BUTCH Genre: How To Musical Instruction Rating: NR Release Date: 30JUN2009

Mandolin Rain $3.49 Mandolin Rain

Grandpa’s Mandolin $11.49 Grandpa’s Mandolin

Modern Mandolin… $12.49 Modern Mandolin…

The Man With The Mandolin $23.99 The Man With The Mandolin

Galatic Mandolin $11.49 Galatic Mandolin

Mandolin Album $11.49 Mandolin Album

Mandolin Blues $13.79 Mandolin Blues

ASAP Bluegrass Mandolin by Collins, Eddie Edition , 0 $22.99 This book/2-CD pack delivers the meat & potatoes of bluegrass mandolin way beyond just teaching fiddle tunes! Players will discover how to find their way around the neck using common double stops, develop creative back-up skills, play solos to vocal tunes in the style of Bill Monroe, make up their own solos, and a whole lot more. For the average learner, this pack represents nearly two years' worth of lessons! Includes two instructional CDs: one plays every example in the book, and the second contains 32 songs performed by a bluegrass band with the mandolin parts separated on the right channel.

Play Mandolin Today! by Baldwin, Douglas Edition , 0 $15.49 Play Today! is the ultimate self-teaching method – designed to offer quality instruction, terrific songs, and a professional-quality CD with 86 full-demo tracks. This mandolin method can be used by students who want to teach themselves, or by teachers for private or group instruction. Simply follow the tips and lessons in the book as you listen to the teacher on the CD. This complete guide to the basics covers: songs, chords and melodies; alternate picking and strumming; and playing tips and techniques, all in standard notation and tablature. Learn at your own pace and open the door to the world of mandolin music with over 80 great songs and examples in this book!

Fun with the Mandolin [With DVD] $23.1 In this book master dulcimer player Madeline MacNeil teaches beginning players tuning, scales, strumming, fingering, chord studies, alternate tunings, use of the capo, and how to use the noter. She endorses both playing by ear and learning to read standard notation. In twelve intensive lessons, she explains everything from the basics to some very complex concepts in easily understood language, making this a particularly valuable book for the beginning instrumentalist. The lessons and songs are written in both standard notation and tablature. This package also includes the companion DVD video in which MacNeil demonstrates the techniques and songs taught in the book. Author: Bay, Mel Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 40 Accessory: DVD Publication Date: 2003/02/01 Language: English Dimensions: 11.50 x 8.50 x 0.20 inches

Hal Leonard Fretboard Roadmaps Mandolin (Book/CD) $11.66 The latest installment in the popular Fretboard Roadmaps series is a unique book/CD pack for all mandolin players. The CD includes 48 demonstration tracks for the exercises that will teach players to play all over the fretboard, in any key; increase their chord, scale and lick vocabulary; play chord-based licks, moveable major and blues scales, first-position major scales and double stops; and more! Guitar lessons include easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions for all levels of players. 64 pages.

Hal Leonard Fretboard Roadmaps Mandolin (Book/Cd) $11.66 The latest installment in the popular Fretboard Roadmaps series is a unique book/CD pack for all mandolin players. The CD includes 48 demonstration tracks for the exercises that will teach players to play all over the fretboard, in any key; increase their chord, scale and lick vocabulary; play chord-based licks, moveable major and blues scales, first-position major scales and double stops; and more! Guitar lessons include easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions for all levels of players. 64 pages.

Homespun Learn to Play Blues Mandolin (2 DVDs) $49.95 Learn to Play Blues Mandolin includes DVD One (HL00641759) and DVD Two (HL00642064) in an information-packed, value-driven package.DVD OneSteve James teaches the scales, chords, lead riffs, rhythm comping, turnarounds, and other essential techniques for playing traditional blues and old-time string band music. His instruction is a must for those who want to use the mandolin for rhythmic accompaniment or as a blues instrument. Songs include: Divin’ Duck Blues, The Lonesome Train That Carried My Gal Away, and more. 60-min. DVD; includes mandolin chords, diagrams, music and tab; beginner level.DVD TwoSteve James brings mandolin students more of the funky, old-time songs that made his previous instructional DVD on this instrument so popular. Mandolin lessons cover blues scales, chord patterns, walking lines, arpeggios, accompaniments, and great tunes, including: “Jackson Stomp,” “Prater Blues,” “Corrina, Corrina,” “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” “Long as I Can See You Smile,” and “Texas Tommy.” 60 min; level 3; includes music & mandolin tabDVD One is Level 2: Near-BeginnerInstructor assumes that you have not been playing very long, but know the basics. The material is still at a very easy level, but certain elementary things are not explained.DVD Two is Level 3: Early IntermediateYou have been playing a while and can play some songs and/or instrumentals without too much difficulty. Now you want to move into specific styles, develop your repertoire and increase your technique. The instructor still covers the material in detail, but there are more challenges.

Homespun Learn To Play Blues Mandolin (2 Dvds) $49.95 Learn to Play Blues Mandolin includes DVD One (HL00641759) and DVD Two (HL00642064) in an information-packed, value-driven package.DVD OneSteve James teaches the scales, chords, lead riffs, rhythm comping, turnarounds, and other essential techniques for playing traditional blues and old-time string band music. His instruction is a must for those who want to use the mandolin for rhythmic accompaniment or as a blues instrument. Songs include: Divin’ Duck Blues, The Lonesome Train That Carried My Gal Away, and more. 60-min. DVD; includes mandolin chords, diagrams, music and tab; beginner level.DVD TwoSteve James brings mandolin students more of the funky, old-time songs that made his previous instructional DVD on this instrument so popular. Mandolin lessons cover blues scales, chord patterns, walking lines, arpeggios, accompaniments, and great tunes, including: “Jackson Stomp,” “Prater Blues,” “Corrina, Corrina,” “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” “Long as I Can See You Smile,” and “Texas Tommy.” 60 min; level 3; includes music & mandolin tabDVD One is Level 2: Near-BeginnerInstructor assumes that you have not been playing very long, but know the basics. The material is still at a very easy level, but certain elementary things are not explained.DVD Two is Level 3: Early IntermediateYou have been playing a while and can play some songs and/or instrumentals without too much difficulty. Now you want to move into specific styles, develop your repertoire and increase your technique. The instructor still covers the material in detail, but there are more challenges.Publisher: Homespun VideoFormat: DVD / TABArtist: Del ReyAuthor: Steve JamesISBN: 1597732400UPC: 884088242336Publisher Code: DVDJMSMN23Width: 5.25″Length: 7.5″

Hal Leonard Play Mandolin Today! Level One Book/Cd $8.99 Hal Leonard’s Play Mandolin Today! is part of the the ultimate self-teaching method series designed to offer quality instruction, terrific songs, and a professional-quality CD with 86 full-demo tracks. This mandolin method can be used by students who want to teach themselves, or by teachers for private or group instruction. Simply follow the tips and lessons in the book as you listen to the teacher on the CD. This complete guide to the basics covers: songs, chords and melodies; alternate picking and strumming; and playing tips and techniques, all in standard notation and tablature.Learn at your own pace and open the door to the world of mandolin music with over 80 great songs and examples in this book!Format: Softcover with CD – TABAuthor: Douglas Baldwin

Music Sales Teach Yourself Bluegrass Mandolin (Book/CD) $17.95 Teach yourself to play authentic bluegrass mandolin with this book and CD pack. The book contains clear instructions on the basics: right- and left-hand techniques, solos, backup, personal advice on performance, and much more, as well as a complete selection of the best bluegrass songs to learn from. 64 pages. These lessons on CD contain audio versions of the examples in the book and backing tracks for several songs.Written by Andy Statman, an acclaimed mandolin (and clarinet) player who leads his own ensemble in Brooklyn, New York.

Rockin’ Mandolin by Grant, Bob Edition ILL, 0 $24.49 The bright and distinctive sound of the mandolin is more popular than ever in the rock and pop hits of the charts, and this unique tutorial will show you how to incorporate the instrument into your own songwriting. Learn how to back up a melody, write and perform a solo, and jam in a variety of styles. Topics covered include: equipment * choosing an instrument * pickups * amplifiers * effects * rhythm playing * doubling the snare * doubling the guitar * playing backup * soloing * harmonics * scales * double stops * crosspicking * tremolo * and the slide. An accompanying CD puts all the lessons into context by allowing you to hear exactly how it should all sound.

Hal Leonard ASAP Bluegrass Mandolin (Book/2 CD Pack) $24.95 This book/2 CD pack delivers the meat and potatoes of bluegrass mandolin, way beyond just teaching fiddle tunes. With this instruction package, you will discover how to find your way around the neck using common double-stops, develop creative back-up skills, play solos to vocal tunes in the style of Bill Monroe, make up your own solos, and much more. At an average learning pace, this pack represents nearly two years worth of lessons and includes two instructional CDs: one CD plays every example in the book, and the second CD contains 32 songs performed by a bluegrass band with the mandolin parts separated onto the right channel.