ENTIRE CONTENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
A Complete Introductory Course in Learning How to Play Mandolin
Introductory Tune: "Lincoln County Regulator"
by Mickey Cochran
Introduction
A. An Orientation
B. A Methodology Approach
C. Importance of a Strong Foundation
Chapter 1
A. A Brief History of the Mandolin
B. The Parts of a Mandolin
C. Construction of a Mandolin
D. Importance of Proper Set-Up
C. Bridge Placement
How to Adjust for Proper Intonation
D. String Action
How to Adjust for Proper String Height
Chapter 2
A. Gauge of Strings
B. Choice of Picks
C. Mandolin Straps
D. Learning Materials for Mandolin
Chapter 3
A. Tuning Tools: The Electronic Tuner
B. Tuning Your Mandolin
Tuning up to the Video.
C. How to tune relative to the mandolin.
Chapter 4
A. Proper Right-Hand Position
B. Your First Right-Hand Exercise
C. Proper Left-Hand Position
D. Your First Left-Hand Exercise
Chapter 5
A. Chords: Key of G
Learn your first chord progression.
B. Rhythm Techniques
Combining rhythm with your first chords.
C. 4/4 Rhythm
D. 3/4 Rhythm (Waltz Time)
E. Chords: Key of C
Learn your second chord progression.
F. Chords: Key of D
Learn your third chord progression.
F. Chords: Key of A
Learn your fourth chord progression.
Chapter 6
Advanced Right-Hand Exercises
A. Chord Arpeggios
B. Crosspicking Exercise
C. Tremelo Exercises
Chapter 7
Advanced Left-Hand Exercises
A. Hammer-Ons
B. Pull-Offs
C. Slides
D. Combining Left-Hand Exercises
Chapter 8
Scale Studies
A. The G Scale
B. The C Scale
C. The D Scale
D. The A Scale
Chapter 9
First Melodies
A. Dixie
B. Shenandoah
C. Beethoven's Ninth
Chapter 10
Fiddle Tune Style
A. Arkansas Traveler
B. Soldier's Joy
C. Devil's Dream
Chapter 11
Shuffle Rhythms
A. Old Joe Clark
B. Boil Them Cabbage Down
C. Crosspicking
In Conclusion
A. Where do you go from here?
B. Practice Road Maps
C. Keep a list of your exercises and tunes.
D. What to listen to?
E. Bracket your practice time.
Excerpt from Chapter I: The Mandolin A Brief History:
The Mandolin has been around, as an 8-string instrument, in its current configuration, for approximately 400 years. It’s a direct descendent of the Mandola which is a descendent of the lute. The Mandola has a longer scale length than mandolin and is tuned 1/5th lower as GCDA from low to high. In fact, the mandolin’s name is derived from its shape similar to an almond. The Italian term Mandorla translates to almond in English. The mandolin has gone through various phases of popularity and has been effectively incorporated into many genres of popular music today including: rock, jazz, ragtime, classical...and is heard most commonly in Country and Bluegrass settings. I encourage you to explore a variety of styles of music with your mandolin. To learn from all styles of music will only make you that much more rounded; therefore, keep an open mind and explore as many venues as you can. This can only increase your musical perspective and, more importantly, will increase your facility on the mandolin.
Excerpts from In Conclusion:
Where to go from here?
Let your musical taste lead you...try to stay inspired by practicing daily...don’t become discouraged by attempting to play over your head. Take your time and play at your level until you feel confident about moving on to more difficult pieces.
Other Technique Builders
You’ll want to be increasing your technique daily. Try to keep a list of exercises and tunes that you already know. Play them all daily without reserve. This will keep you familiar with what you’ve already learned and only increase your technique on the mandolin...
What to Listen To
I’d like to encourage you to purchase as many mandolin recordings as you can get your hands on...keep a discography of all of your recordings which should include the mandolinist’s name and the name of each tune played by the artist.
Some artists that I’d recommend listening to include:
Ricky Skaggs
Norman Blake as a guitarist and a mandolinist
Bill Monroe
Red Rector
Jimmy Guadreau
Doyle Lawson
Sam Bush
Chris Thile
and One of my all-time favorites: David Grisman
The Importance of a Focused Practice
Continuing Your Mandolin Journey
The Importance of a Focused Practice
What is a focused practice?
1. you’ll want to bracket time daily to your practice schedule. If you can’t afford more than 1-2 hours, at the very least set aside 30 minutes daily unconditionally.
2. be sure to have a road map to practice with...something that will keep you on track and allow you to measure your progress...this can mean having a particular piece of sheet music in front of you and or a DVD to play along with that will keep you focused on a particular technique or tune you’re trying to accomplish.
3. keep a practice journal with you that should include what you’ve accomplished...a list of scales and exercises...a songlist including every tune you’ve learned...and your future goals as an entirely separate chapter.
In Continuing Your Mandolin Journey
I hope you find this DVD to be fun and inspiring. It should only be one addition to your very own larger library of books and DVDs. I urge you to start amassing your own library of anything mandolin related including, songbooks, method books, DVDs and CDs...be sure to check with melbay.com for many other mandolin learning materials...
In closing, I’d like to say one more thing: Your mandolin journey is uniquely yours...no two mandolinists in history have ever played exactly alike. Everyone’s an individual within any art form...and as a mandolinist, be yourself, listen to your own sojourn...even though you may follow the path of other mandolinists by learning their arrangements and techniques, feel free to explore from your vantage point as a unique individual. This way, you will discover your very own path through your mandolin explorations and ultimately find your own style and approach...it’s easy to be easy when you’re easy!
Copyright ®2004 Mickey Cochran
All rights are reserved on this DVD for all audio files, all tunes,
all photography and all DVDgraphy.
Please enquire if interested in reproducing this DVD for review...
and, thank you kindly for not reproducing without permission from the author.
Keep on Pickin', Mickey Cochran
Videography: Alex Kinnan
Production/Design: Mickey Cochran
Testimonials:
Date: Sun, 13 Sept 2009
Subject: Introduction to Mandolin DVD
I do like your instructional approach for the mandolin--it's giving me the background I need to learn to play.
Tim R.
Date: Thu, 14 May 2009
Subject: Introduction to Mandolin DVD
I bought FOTW's Johnson MA-120 A Style Mandolin package, which of course included, "Intro to The Mandolin", which was a while ago.
The methods that Mickey employs in teaching of this instrument is very simple, and straightforward. I have to confess I have had the mandolin for a few years now. I stopped playing for awhile. I came back to Mickey's "Intro to Mandolin", because he teaches the basics that you can apply to all types of music. He builds one lesson upon another. You can get really excited with this but trust me, don't skip around, but follow it step by step. Otherwise, it can be confusing. One of the lessons is timing (which is very important) my father (a musician for 60 years) tells me my timing is pretty good, now (which made me feel good). I contribute that to Mickey's "Intro to Mandolin" teachings. What has helped me is the exercises for the left/right hands, and the ¾ and 4/4 Rhythm. By repeating and repeating each lesson till it is engrained in me, I feel I am now starting to finally get the hang of playing, at least partially.
I have been going back over Chapter 4, and Chapter 5. That is as far as I have gotten with this DVD. And the DVD makes it so much easier to stop/start as you are practicing. I love the ¾ Rhythm, which is the waltz tune. I find that it is definitely practice, practice, practice. To really go slow, watch what you are doing, and correct the problem right away. And of course have fun! After all that is what it is all about as you are learning. And remember to relax! Thanks again ...
S. McConnachie
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 15:23:18 EDT
Subject: Re: michael kelly guitar co.
hello tradd....i received my mandolin on friday....i can't stop practacing on it!!!!!! the video from mickey is excellent, i wish i could take lessons from him personally. anyway i have musical experience, i play the tenor banjo, so its just a matter of making the transition over to the mando. i totally fell in love with the mandolin a few years ago and finally took the plunge!!! it was an absolute pleasure talking with you, i could tell that you're nice folks at folkofthewood. i do have friends also interested in purchasing a mandolin and i already steered them in your direction......thanks again...see ya when i upgrade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subject: back up mandolin
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 13:34:33 +0900
Dear Folk of the Wood,
I have to say the introduction to mandolin video has been very helpful in getting me started on mandolin. I haven't done much with the crosspicking book yet, but once I dive into that I'm sure it will pay huge dividends.
PS. Will there be an intermediate instruction video some time?
Neal
Greetings Neal...
I'm glad to assist:
Instructional Videos:
I'd love to continue on with an intermediate and advanced video on mandolin...and, I appreciate your interest in wanting to pursue your studies further under Wisdom of the Wood's guidance...
There are other mando videos in the works...one is an overall technique video that discusses all of the different possible applications of mandolin...and the many potential mediums...demonstrating split string technique, crosspicking, fingerpicking, the bluegrass chop, tremolo, bends, slides, hammer-ons...and so on...
And, I also have scheduled a fingerpicking mandolin video...
Even so, I believe that you're right, the "Intro to Mando" video deserves a sequel...I'll try to write out a script for it...
Thanks for your input...and keep on pickin', Mickey
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003
Subject: A "thank you" and a question...
Hi Mickey! I recently bought your "Intro to Mandolin" video, and it is excellent. We wasted money on several others that were glorified demonstrations with no learning value before discovering yours - yours alone was worth every penny, so thank you....
- Jake
Subject: into to mando DVD...
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:12:54 -0700
Dear Mickey
Thanks for the Intro to Mandolin video... though Ive been trying to learn mandolin for about a year now, your video has already moved me giant steps ahead just on my first viewing.
...When will your 'Advanced Mandolin Video' start production - hint,hint)!
Thanks again for your great help.
Rich Schramm
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:16:02 -0600
Mickey,
I received your video last week on "Introduction to Mandolin". I have been learning to play for a little over two years and have learned mostly from "another's" method. However, there are a lot of holes in my playing ability that you have provided the answers. I could not believe what I was watching. Almost every question that I have about methodology was answered. And guess what, it is not that hard. I really believe that you have provided me with the tools to really become a really good mandolin player. I consider myself high average on what I have already learned but this approach will do nothing but make me exponentially better at playing. I spend at least an hour each day practicing, and now this hour will provide much, much more fruit!!!!
Kelly Pugh
Subject: Just a Note of Thanks
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 13:55:40 -0500
Dear Mickey, My name is Stacey Chandler and I just had to drop a line to thank you for this wonderful site of yours that I happened to come across while researching the mandolin in October. After listening to your samplers of the mando, I was convinced that I must have one. When my better half asked what I would like for my birthday, I had but one request...a mandolin.... yet I didn't want him to spend an enormous amount of money. I told him that I had seen some very inexpensive ones on ebay and that I had found a very informative web site (yours) if he wanted to check it out. Well to my surprise, he did check out your site and he did buy me a Kentucky 350S from you. He purchased the package deal and I just want you to know that I am thrilled with the whole thing. My mandolin arrived in pristine condition and it came earlier than the date promised. I have finished your "Introduction to the Mandolin" video.... about 3 or 4 times now and I thoroughly enjoy your teaching methods. I plan on taking lessons as soon as I can find a qualified teacher in my area. I have but one request for you.... Please do a follow-up video to your intro. You are so talented and a very good teacher.... so another video would be just the ticket!!!!
Again, thank you for helping Paul pick out the perfect mandolin for me, and keep up the good work on a most splendid and artistic web site.
Sincerely,
Stacey C.
Greetings Stacey,
Wow! That's a moving testimonial...Thanks so much for taking the time to write.
And, be sure to let me know how I might assist you further through the learning process. You're welcome to e-mail any questions you might come up with.
No doubt, a sequel for the "Introduction to the Mandolin" is long overdue...thanks for your reminder.
And, be sure to stay tuned at our Mandolin Lessons Section:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm
Keep on Pickin', Mickey
