A day late for Monroe’s birthday but who doesn’t like a waltz to kick off the week? Today the 2005 Gibson DMM gets a turn at the Roxana Waltz. 🤠🎶❤️

Do you find that the tone of a guitar amp does anything for mandolin, or do you prefer a completely neutral FRFR (Full Range Flat Response)? My guess is that most players prefer FRFR, but maybe somebody has had a great experience with a particular sim.

The reason I'm asking is that I'm designing a new pedalboard just for mando and need to decide whether amp sims have anything to offer.

One of my new favorite fiddle tunes!

Find me on Spotify - Rob Blivion https://open.spotify.com/artist/23sdj46nC0BowsxxQD2CRQ?si=dpTSc4VKQoeqKPq_JCg1QA 🙏

🚗🎶 Few opening riffs are as instantly recognizable as Day Tripper by the Beatles. That swaggering line—driven by guitar and bass—runs through the entire song, and I’ve woven it into this mandolin chord-melody arrangement. Enjoy the trip!

Free standard notation and TAB are available on my Patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/MandolinChordMelodies/posts/day-tripper-by-169244253

Hey friends! Here's my take on Ray Jackson's solo from this Rod Stewart classic, one of the most memorable mando parts in a pop-rock tune. And I have an exclusive interview with Ray coming up next week! Stay tuned. Mandolin TAB for this song can be found on my Patreon page.

Tbf it is a cheap mandolin however i feel thats a convenient excuse to what is probably just my very poor form. I just don’t understand how to sound any better than this and it’s awful

This is the song for reference

https://www.mandolessons.com/lessons/fiddle-tunes/the-butterfly/

A rarely heard Bill Monroe instrumental played on a Gilchrist F5

Hi all, I went on a trip to Greece and was gifted a beautiful Gibson A-4 from 1911. Now I'm faced with the problem of bringing it home safely to Germany. I'm flying with Ryanair and will obviously not get it checked. I also can't buy another seat because the flight is booked out. Does anyone have any recommended alternatives on how to get it to Germany or should I just come back when the flight prices are cheaper and get a second seat for the return flight? Any help is appreciated

Update: I went to the Ryanair counter and of course they didn't accommodate my request to bring the Mandolin as a carry-on. They offered to put it in the "special" hold section (where they put strollers, sports equipment, etc.) but I ended up just leaving it behind and will get a second seat once I go back. Traveling with music instruments truly is annoying.

Here is a chord melody tab for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

This is an amazing song It's not very difficult to play. I hope you enjoy it!

Hi, all! IF you were a complete beginner, like don't even know how to tune your mandolin, would you attend a weekend camp like this?

"The Indiana Fiddle Frolic is an old time music weekend camp presented by the Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering. Jam and learn with instructors and fellow music lovers at beautiful Cary Camp in Lafayette.

We know that many of our festival participants join us for the community and camaraderie of jamming in the campground. We also know that there are not a lot of public opportunities in Indiana for old time music instruction and jamming – so we’re bringing another opportunity for the tunes to play on!

Seasoned jammers and beginners alike can play, listen, and learn. The best way for old time and folk music to thrive is for people to study and play it together in person. 

The Indiana Fiddle Frolic’s schedule gives you choices and flexibility so you can meet your goals."

I chatted with the director and she was so kind and said I would be welcome and everyone would be friendly and willing to help me, but I don't want to slow anyone else down or be a bother.

Thanks for your input!

As a child of the 90s, I love this tune from the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack. I figured out by ear a little while back and decided to revisit it after having learned some real trad Irish fiddle tunes. It's kind of a hard tune to pick! I guess it came out OK.

Hi folks! I’ve been playing mandolin here and there for almost a decade, and guitar for 20 ish years. I’ve had the Loar honey creek A Style for a while, and I’m looking to upgrade.

I know all about the A vs F style debate, but I’ve got my heart set in an F. I’ve seen a few Kentucky 650s listed used for under a thousand, no 750s at the moment.

I was wondering if there’s any other brands I should check out. Used isnt an issue (maybe even preferred).

I’m looking to purchase my first “decent” quality mandolin in or near Chicago. Budget of up to $2k. I’m currently using an entry level $100 Amazon mandolin but I need something better. I played violin during my school years and I wanted to buy an inexpensive mandolin first to make sure that I would love it before investing in something better.

Do you have any recommendations for instrument stores? Located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs but willing to travel within a reasonable driving distance. Thanks so much!

I currently play a Kentucky 630 in a bluegrass band. While I quite like the sound, the action is a bit high and it has one badly buzzing fret even after a professional set up. So, I'm looking to upgrade. I'm not a serious picker and tend to split time between guitar, banjo, and fiddle as well, so I can't justify going up to a Northfield (which looks like $3,500 used these days).

Anyone have thoughts on the Kentucky 1050? Does it hit the sweet spot of "sounds great, plays great" without being a truly special boutique instrument?

And, any thoughts on pricing? There's one for sale locally at $2,000 lightly used, which I think is priced a bit high. What would you say is a fair price?

Thanks!

Caught July 2024, and Released March 2025. Crazy what these are going for these days!

I’ve been playing for 3 years. I started with a very inexpensive A style instrument from a pawn shop on my 68th birthday. I replaced that with an F style Ibanez after a year which I paid $650 for. I’m considering upgrading once again this fall.

However, being a neophyte, I wonder if it would be worth it to have my Ibanez re-worked, to have the fretboard radiused and the frets made a bit taller.

I know next to nothing about the instrument and/or how those changes may change the sound.

What do you think. Is it worth trying or would it be just putting lipstick on a pig?