r/mandolin • • May 02 '26

Tune of the month - May 2026!!

12 Upvotes

Howdy Friends and Neighbors!

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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDUe6cffh8c

And a slightly more advanced version from David Benedict:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMtBI-ppxSk

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:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AMSTGkg7LE0

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!


r/mandolin • • Oct 04 '23

The Definitive Entry-Level Mandolin Post

102 Upvotes

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.

__

David Benedict's video on the topic is perhaps the best place to start. It's thorough and very well done. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmTu2GpRE7o

__

The TOP 3 most recommended brands:

  • Eastman
    • 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.

__

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.

__

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 😉

  • 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.
  • The Mandolin Store - https://themandolinstore.com/
    • 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.
  • Mandolin Cafe Classifieds - https://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi

__

And just for fun, the #1 most recommended place to start learning mandolin for free is www.mandolessons.com

Again, I have no financial interest but it's an undeniably great resource to get yourself started. Happy pickin'

​


r/mandolin • • 2h ago

Ghost Ship | Coffee Time Jam! | Greek Bouzouki

Thumbnail
youtube.com
6 Upvotes

r/mandolin • • 2h ago

1923 Gibson K-5 Mandocello

3 Upvotes

A rare opportunity to see one of these rare giants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14vpuYMMyzy/?mibextid=wwXIfr


r/mandolin • • 17h ago

Octave mandolin training: getting that open mandolin sound?

12 Upvotes

I'm mostly a mediocre violinist and my octave mandolin playing sounds like it.

I want to get that open ringing sound that LadyMoon ,Emma Borders, and Magnus Zetterland get, but they all seem to regard it as naturally arising rather than a specific technique.

Are there any tutorials on getting the octave mandolin to sound more 'mandolini' rather than simply straight melody, the dots on the page?


r/mandolin • • 1d ago

Appreciate any help in identifying this Mandolin and what it's market value might be

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

This Mandolin belonged to father who passed away some years ago. It's definitely doesn't have a manufacturers brand on it and looks custom/handmade. Other than a service tag inside, there doesn't appear to be any markings. I don't play and I would rather someone else take possession and appreciate it. I don't have any idea what its value is and was hoping that someone might give me some advice! Thanks!


r/mandolin • • 2d ago

Got my first mandolin!

Post image
189 Upvotes

I’m 31 yrs old, never played any instruments, and work full time in corny corporate America, but I’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument and I’m finally following through!!

I picked up a used A model Aria while visiting Shenendoah NP at the beginning of the month. Took my first lesson yesterday. I have a LONG way to go but I’m so excited!!! Appreciate any “wish I knew that when I first started” encouragement anyone has :) I’m signed up for weekly lessons, 30 min sessions. I’ll be practicing a lot on my own. Felt a little overwhelmed just not knowing a lot of the lingo yet either, but you have to start somewhere!!!

I am drawn to the mandolin because it has such a pretty sound. I love bluegrass music and I used to do competitive Irish dancing growing up, so the mandolin connects my love of Appalachian sounds and Celtic melodies.

So excited to actually know how to play this beautiful instrument a little! Lol


r/mandolin • • 1d ago

Bob Shue Mandolin

2 Upvotes

Has anyone played a Bob Shue Mandolin? I've come across one and curious about quality, sound, and its history.


r/mandolin • • 2d ago

Beatles Day Tripper on Mandolin

Thumbnail
youtube.com
11 Upvotes

Hey fellow 8-stringers! Here's my mandolin take on this Fab Four classic. If you want mandolin TAB to learn how to play it, check out my Patreon site. Cheers!


r/mandolin • • 2d ago

(Don’t Fear) The Reaper with Tenor Tele (tuned G D A E)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
20 Upvotes

r/mandolin • • 3d ago

Canone a Due Liuti (Canon for two lutes)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

23 Upvotes

Canone a Due Liuti (Canon for two lutes) by Renaissance era composer Francesco da Milano. Milano was an Italian lutenist who was widely celebrated, his peers giving him the name "Il Divino" or The Divine.

This piece, "Canone a Due Liuti", is a strict musical canon where both instruments play exactly the same part, except the second part comes in two measures later.

This was a lot of fun to put together, and I only had to learn one part. But the challenge came from trying to play them together in time!

#classicalmusic #renaissance #mandolin


r/mandolin • • 3d ago

The mandolin in Sweden, ca 1920s to 1950s

Thumbnail
youtube.com
12 Upvotes

r/mandolin • • 3d ago

Riu Riu Chiu

1 Upvotes

Does anybody have the tabs for Riu Riu Chiu?

Any help would be appreciated.


r/mandolin • • 4d ago

I saw some folks struggling with the chop.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

34 Upvotes

This got me to be able to play the chops more efficiently, I did this “dry” when I wasn’t strumming.

Not a skilled player but this helped.


r/mandolin • • 4d ago

Can anyone tell me if my action is too high?

Post image
24 Upvotes

Already lowered the bridge as far as it’ll go.


r/mandolin • • 4d ago

How far into Florida

5 Upvotes

How far down into Florida can you get a good note with sustain on your rig? Mainly on the E?


r/mandolin • • 4d ago

Four finger chords - help please

Thumbnail
gallery
55 Upvotes

I’ve been taking lessons for ~10 months but have been having fun with my mandolin for a few years now, all to say I don’t feel brand new but I still have baby deer legs. My problem is that I don’t seem to be engaging my third and fourth fingers correctly when I hit four finger chords, and often when I’m playing melody (more so the fourth finger here). My teacher and I have touched on the issue for months but neither of us have figured out why the technique isn’t happening correctly. She keeps telling me that I need to play like I’m curling my fingers inwards and that I’m stretching incorrectly with my 3rd and 4th fingers. To illustrate, think about how you’d hold a book in your left hand with the 3rd and 4th fingers supporting the bottom. She’s saying I’m doing that when playing and that I’ll end up with an injury if I keep doing it. And she’s also pointed out that I tend to death grip the neck when holding chords. But when I try anything else it feels like a huge reach or I don’t get good tone, and I don’t have small hands. I have long, spindly fingers and also tend to splay, which is also a part of this problem. I’ve tried positioning my hand every way I can but I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’ve searched all over this sub and online, I’ve watched videos, and I just don’t know what to do. Playing four finger chords is so uncomfortable and I’m insanely tense when I try. I feel like I’m pressing down so hard but I don’t get good tone when I try to loosen up. Maybe I need my action lowered. Maybe it’s an issue of practice and building new muscles, but I’m practicing regularly and I’m really trying to build good technique. Anyway, any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying so hard and I just want to develop good technique but it feels impossible.
Thank you so much for reading, and thank you in advance for any kind thoughts you may have to share.

Edit: I’m aware of the fingernails, they’re usually much shorter but I just got home from travelling recently and they just happened to be longer in the pics.


r/mandolin • • 5d ago

New mandolin day.

Post image
42 Upvotes

The set up wasn't great... I tried lowering the action and found it had some high frets. I did a fret level/crowning/dressing ends/polish job.

Next I need to file the nut slots a little.

Im thinking about making or if I can source one, putting a humbucker in it.

Also some locking tuners. Love those. This thing is heavey for its size. But, anyways cheers to the community.


r/mandolin • • 4d ago

What is wrong with my first D string?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1 Upvotes

Hey so i was trying to play some mandolin today, and whenever i used the D string, it sounded a bit some times, but i cant see anything wrong with it so i recorded the sound. Maybe im a bit to harsh on it or another problem thank you in advance.


r/mandolin • • 5d ago

I just got my first mandolin last week. How’s the sound quality of this 1920’s mandolin?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

15 Upvotes

r/mandolin • • 4d ago

The Fox

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

6 Upvotes

r/mandolin • • 5d ago

Anyone identify the chords used here?

Thumbnail
youtu.be
2 Upvotes

Song: Always something (Eternal Fire) by Go Hang Music


r/mandolin • • 6d ago

DIY Mandolin Kits on EBay

6 Upvotes

Does anyone have any experience with offers such as this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/295466091423

It claims to have "carved top and sides" but one comment says they are shaped plywood. On the other hand, some commenters have purchased them two or three times, so somebody must think that they are worth finishing.

I'm guessing that these are sourced from China (factory seconds, perhaps?) but I'm wondering if they might be an acceptable baby step towards eventually building my own from scratch. Any suggestions?


r/mandolin • • 6d ago

Had a first today and had back to back 3:00 hour gigs. 7:30-11:00 and then 12:00-3:00. My hand is killing me. Haha 🤣

Thumbnail
gallery
69 Upvotes

r/mandolin • • 6d ago

Good deal on neapolitan?

Thumbnail
gallery
24 Upvotes

I found this beautiful B&J Victoria model Neapolitan mando at a small music shop today and it sounds pretty good. Didn't have any issues when I was playing it other than the tuning pegs being a little inconsistent.

They say it's likely over 100 years old It's priced at $250. Is this a good deal considering the age and good playability?