Trying Something New

[Gary Nelson]

Let me say first that I am in no way abandoning the guitar.   I still have much to learn.   But - having said that, I have started dabbling with the mandolin.   My wife, who has played violin in the past and presently plays the piano, has always loved the sound of the mandolin and wanted to learn how to play.   So as an early Christmas gift, I picked up an inexpensive student model.   As this is her first attempt to play a fretted instrument, she is looking for my help.   So in order to be able to help her, I have to learn a little about it myself.  And you know what?   It's fun!    It's satisfying to see how guitar knowledge and technique can translate to the mandolin.   And I think in the end, it will help me be a more well rounded musician and indirectly a better guitar player.    Anyone else have any experiences with learning another instrument?   Or trying to teach your spouse to play and still remaining on speaking terms? LOL

[Wim VD1]

Hi Gary,

I am currently learning to play slide in open tunings on a resonator guitar. That feels like learning to play a different instrument as well. Good luck with the teaching!

Wim.

[Gary Nelson]

@Wim VD1  I've dabbled with slide just a bit, but the bug hasn't hit me yet.   But  trying out different slides gives me another excuse to go the music store!

[jasn]

What a great idea Gary.  Have fun with the mandolin and don't forget to let Shirley play it a little bit too! 

[Gene C]

Sounds good Gary, I have tried other instruments too and it is FUN, capital F U N. You have good taste in musical instruments and I think you'll do just fine with the new sounds. Keep up the good work, take care, you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. 

Gene C

[Eracer_Team-DougH]

I tried a mandolin at the store once. Found fretboard a little too tight at the time

but obviously people can play them , I’d have to retry

[Nancy Lawing]

If you had told me 3 years ago I'd enjoy ukulele, I would have laughed or grimaced, recalling seeing Tiny Tim on TV as a child.  Yet here I am enjoying that instrument. Our public library offers free checkouts of instruments and instruction, and their monthly ukulele circle motivated me to try it.  I really enjoy it.

The good thing about all the music I've gotten for the monthly circle is that the chords are the same as for guitar (the chords themselves, not the fingerings).

For a more classical approach and some beautiful music that isn't "singable" I'm enjoying Arpeggio Meditations for Ukulele by Daniel Ward and his teaching videos.

Mandolin could be next on the horizon.....my son-in-law recently started it.  Beautiful instrument.

[Eracer_Team-DougH]

@Nancy Lawing just to “hijack” the mandolin thread.

i ended up doing ukulele and have a 12 song set that i do. But no tulips for me