Me and My Dad

Mandolin and Cold Weather

Hi all-
If you notice your action lowering in the cold temps...don't be afraid, its normal.
This weekend, I took two mandolins to a concert. I played both the night before at home and the action was fine. I stopped and left them in their case in the car for about 20 minutes, just enough to feel the cold temps..in the teens. Both of them dropped 1/32 at the 12th fret..
The wood is alive!! Fear not and play on!
AH

Pappy Breakdown.m4a

Pappy Breakdown.m4a

Hey Everyone:
Here is another tune, its called Pappy's Breakdown.
Its in the Key of A

The chords for those who would like to play along are
A part:
A-G-A 4x

B Part
C-D-A
C-D-G-E

Enjoy!!

Anthony ytest.m4a

Anthony ytest.m4a
Here is another Little Test Tune..Just a warm up

Mandolin A.m4a

Mandolin A.m4a

What are your mandolin road blocks?

So its early on Saturday and I am freshly relocated in South Central Pa. Once the dust settles I am going to begin several series of new videos. Not to mention the 80 hours of video I have already.

What are your questions around mandolin playing?

http://www.archive.org/details/TheBogSwingGroup2011-04-01LiveAtTheRadissonHotelScrantonPa

Gypsy jazz

Having a great time playing some gypsy tunes!

Gypsy Grass Cowboy

Move is almost complete!

Well with a new year comes a new home! It has been in the works for over a year and has finally happened.

Now much more centrally located!

Sorry I have not posted in a while, will try more.

Pick On!

A

TOD

Hey there-

I am going to be sure to let you all know it is quite ok to ask questions.

That is the Tip of the Day.

Reach out and ask. Ask about Chords, melody everything.

If you see another mandolin player that is playing some cool stuff you would like to learn, just go up and ask. I am certain they will assist in any way possible.

If there is a guitar player and he is playing rhythm (he is your best friend) ask about the chords and the changes.

Do not be shy..just ask while you have the chance.

Take the info back and digest it and play with it.

Fun, Fun and even more fun!

ps. You can ask me anytime

anthony@hickoryproject.com

TOD Warming up

Hey there everyone-

One thing that works for me is simple little pick strokes down and up on each set of strings

Start with the G then D then A then E, down and up on the same series of strings.

Then try down on G and up on D- three minutes

Down on G up on A- Three minutes

Down on G up on E- three minutes

Now back to just the G string.

Now mix the Rotation

down on D up on A, down on D up on E.

Same with A string.

A few minutes a day will help your picking holding hand, promise!

Have a great Turkey Day , Everyone!

A

Mandolin TOD

Hello all

Take 5 minutes and take your instrument into aroom with the lights off. Play your scales, a recent tune and the chords you know.

This will force you to listen and not watch. Huge!!

Give it a try and then flip the light switch on and try the same thing.

Most gigs and jams are in very low light conditions. This exercise will help you listen to what you are doing and prepare you for a almost dark playing situation.

Note: I still do this…everyday!

Happy playing

AH

TOD # 5 Play while standing

Howdy folks-

So I was thinking today how important it is to play standing up.

Of course when you are playing around the house we all naturally want to sit down. I think mostly for comfort.

When I got back into the banjo after some time off I had a gig. All the time I put into it before the show was sitting down. When I got to the gig I realized we were all standing. It was a whole different world to me. It really felt uncomfortable and strange to me.

After the show I began my warm ups standing, walking around, jumping..everything!!

So try to fit some standing playing in during your play time and you will be far better and prepared  when it comes time to jam or gig.

Have a great weekend everyone!

AH

TOD # 4 Warming Up!

Hey everyone-

There are times we just want to play and play.

You notice that you cramp up quickly. Easy fix

You feel like your fingers are going to explode. Almost an easy fix.

You feel tight and things just are flowing. Hardest fix.

 

Well…

I happens to everyone. What do I do to over come it?

Lets take the first one, cramping up. Muscles need to warm up before any activity. Small arm circles leading to large arm circles really work. Or you can try sitting in a chair and imagine you are climbing a ladder. Reach hand over hand to the imaginary top rung. You will feel this !

Second One, fingers exploding. My heart goes out to upright bass players and rhythm guitar players. Now they have it a lot harder than us 8 stringers. So you have a few options to over come finger tip pain.

First check your action. If its insane to push down on the 5th fret and you feel the pain. I would say its time for a bridge adjustment.

Second you can change the type of strings you use to a lighter gauge. Note: YOU WILL loose volume at first.

Neck reset: Sometimes the truss rod needs a little nudge. Take it to a workshop and have them look over it for you. I can recommend good mandolin repair people in almost every location of the world,

Item 3: Many things can cause the lack of flow in your playing. From the two topics above to fatigue , getting overwhelmed before playing, lack of hearing your self. So many.

How to fix. Well, imho, just play like you play in your kitchen or office.

Its going to be different no matter what. Unless you invite everyone over to your practice space. Still it might not flow.

I would say take a little break, approach it slowly. Also be sure you are playing with others that allow you to be heard. Sometimes the little mandolin can get crunched in a big jam.

 

The main point is that the more you are using the muscles, the fingers and playing often..you will loose all of the above. It just goes away..PROMISE!!

Now pick a tune!