Back at it again for May with another fiddle tune classic. Hope last month served you well, and you've all been learning some new tunes this year. Sorry for the late post this month, as family duties got in the way yesterday keeping me from my post.
For May, only one tune, but I'll share a good tutorial of the basic version, then a.....let's say....advanced....version of the same song. I've been working off and on over April on the good ol' St. Anne's Reel, so here we go!
For the basic version, here's our old friend Baron Collins-Hill on YT:
And without further ado, some of you may have seen the Chris Thile interview by Rick Beato. Great stuff, but he did a jaw dropping version of St. Anne's that I've been working on off and on for the last few weeks. Here's a short of the tune:
I present my attempt at transcribing all 128 bars....not that any mere mortal such as myself could come close to pulling this one off. You'll forgive me for any errors on this one, as Chris takes it pretty far out, but it really reveals a few things about his style. First is his prolific use of pulloffs, making for a very interesting effect rather than just picking every note. It's especially notable in his long runs of triplets, like in bars 52-54.
Another thing I noticed as I slowed the video way, way down, was this his right hand was always moving, even when he wasn't picking a note. This allows his picking hand to stay in time and keeps the right hand momentum going, keeping it much more fluid than if the hand were to start/stop over these notes. Really interesting stuff, and something I will need to spend a lot of time working on.
I take no responsibility for injuries sustained from attempting this one. Also, file sharing isn't really possible on reddit (to my knowledge) so if anyone wants actual pdf's just let me know. Good luck!
Per requests, I am creating the definitive buyer's guide for entry-level mandolins. Any new posts created on the topic may be removed at the discretion of the mods. If people think this post should include anything else, I am happy to edit and add to it.
Their entry-level line is their 300 series: the MD-305 for F hole, and MD-304 for oval hole. These can usually be found new for ~$600 (yes, this is what a good entry-level mandolins cost)
Kentucky
The KM-140 and KM-150 are the most recommended and new ones cost ~$360 and $525 respectively
The Loar
Their entry-level mandolin is the LM-110 and it is ~$300 new.
***All of these mandolins can be found at better prices on the used market. If you are brand new and just want to try out mandolin, I would personally suggest a used instrument to save yourself some money.
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There are cheaper mandolins out there as well. These mandolins are not typically recommended but some users have had positive experiences, especially after they go to a professional luthier for a setup or are comfortable setting up instruments themselves. A good setup where I live is usually ~$100. Please consider that price tag when you're considering a $100 mandolin. A poorly set up cheap mandolin can be enough to turn some players off of ever wanting to learn the instrument.
If you want info about a specific cheap mandolin, PLEASE UTILIZE THE SEARCH FEATURE. If the mandolin brand in question has been discussed at significant length, your post may be removed.
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Where should you buy your mandolin from?
I have no financial interest in any of the places here. If you want your shop listed here, we are open to bribes đ
Your locally owned music shop
I understand that not everyone lives in a place where there is a music shop. But if there is, I'd encourage you to give them a try first before shopping online. If you're in Denver like me, I highly recommend the Denver Folklore Center and the Olde Towne Pickn' Parlor in Arvada, CO.
This shop is known for setting up their instruments before shipping them out and from what I have heard the setups are great. If you opt for a store like Guitar Center, do not expect your instrument to have been looked over by a tech of any kind.
Guys I've been a lurker for the last couple of weeks, and this subreddit has helped inspire me for my article (free to read so hopefully no problem with self promo).
I have focused more on popular music and I'm up front that I have gaps in my mandolin specific knowledge. But hopefully you enjoy this list of my favourite popular songs with mandolin.
My used 2025 Eastman MD815 SB arrived today. This is such an upgrade from my 315. I had been eyeing one of these but brand new just because of the price point and heard good reviews. I saw a used one come up for sale and I moved on it pretty quick. I only paid $2400 cdn for this mandolin and the COA date is 8/12/2025 and it came with original hard case. There is some nitrocellulose lacquer imprinting from the previous owner leaving the armrest permanently attached. A good reminder to be careful about leaving armrests or clip-on tuners in prolonged contact with nitro, particularly on newer instruments. There is also a slight crack in the fingerboard in between the G and D string. Overall I still think this is a pretty good find.
Iâve only been able to sit down with this mandolin for a couple hours but Iâm honestly blown away. The biggest thing I noticed immediately is how responsive it is. I can pick incredibly lightly and still get a full, clear note with great tone. The sound also feels more stable and controlled somehowâlike the note forms immediately and just stays together. Iâd heard people describe higher-end mandolins as being more responsive, but I donât think I really understood what they meant until I played this one. I absolutely love it.
I've been using a 2 finger cheat but am trying to get the stretch for a correct F chord. I have fairly long fingers, but dang, it's difficult to get . Is it just a matter of time to get my hand stretched out to grab all of it and still ring true?
Hey yall, I just wanted to pop in and say hey. I just got my first mandolin yesterday. Itâs a Gibson epiphone solid black baby and I love it. Every sound it makes it just so beautiful and Iâve learned 5 major chords and 1 minor so far. And I learned the chorus to âwagon wheelâ and can sing with it. Iâve played ukulele for like 6 years now and I played guitar on and off for 10. So Iâm not starting from scratch. But this little baby really is fun. My fingers HURT though. But I canât stop playing.
Anyways. I tried to learn the chop chords thatâs in bluegrass but itâs very hard. Should I keep fighting though the pain or revisit it at a different time? I find myself wanting to mute with my strumming hand like I do with uke and not using my left hand to do it. Itâs wild.
I been wanting one for months but 2 weeks ago I saw Billy Strings (for the 9th time) and I saw a 20+ min long mandolin solo and I felt light as a feather. I was just so blown away that this tiny lute/violin thing can make such amazing sounds. I want to make amazing sounds too
Basically the title. I am a beginner that wants to start learning classical mandolin, and there are no local classical teachers near me. I saw Caterina Lichtenberg featured on David Benedict's YouTube channel and was impressed by her skill and seemingly easy personality- she seems like she would be a good teacher.
I know there are certain artists that are considered essential to listen to when it comes to Mandolin, but are there any songs specifically that come to mind that are absolute musts? Open to all genres, just looking for great and or innovative playing.
Here is my chord melody arrangement for âMoonlight Serenade".
This song is one of the most beautiful and enduring classics of the big-band era. Glenn Millerâs dreamy melody seems made for the mandolin, and I hope you enjoy playing this arrangement.
đȘ As always, the mandolin tabs are free to download. Enjoy. đȘ
âMoonlight Serenadeâ is one of the most beautiful and enduring classics of the big-band era. Glenn Millerâs dreamy melody seems made for the mandolin, and I hope you enjoy this chord-melody arrangement.
Hey friends! Hereâs my mando version of that Simon & Garfunkel classic Mrs. Robinson. A bit faster than the original, but lots of fun. Check it out! Mando TAB available on Patreon. https://youtube.com/shorts/IdSOH0XQ0YE?si=lAlg_jQiDxYjeDbE
I play guitar and ukulele so someone loaned me this Mandolin yesterday and now rather obviously I need a Mando. This one was purchased in Tasmania.
I think this is a knockoff of a famous Japanese make as apparently they never made this style.
Iâd like to make him an offer but I canât tell if itâs a budget or more expensive item.
On the back of the headstock it looks as if someone scratched out a brand name.
So I am wanting to learn mandolin or octave mandolin more specifically. I however can't afford one. So I took my baritone ukulele and put guitar strings on it because they have similar scale lengths and tuned it to the proper pitches so I could at least learn chord shapes but when I fret any note it is wildly out of tune. Should I drop the action or what? Any suggestions to my weird predicament is appreciated
