Just got a mandolin - No F'ing way!

[RedBarchetta]

I don't know how anyone except a midget can play them. They are so damn small in the fretboard AND I have to relearn a whole new fretboard system of scales and chords. Thinking about dropping it and just messing around with occasional songs.

 

[WrayGun]

Please send it to me via USPS, postage paid. For a midget, I actually have very fat fingers.

 

[TexGoneNW]

Be glad it has frets.

I played violin until my fingers wouldn't allow playing proper fingerings in the upper positions.

 

[Matthias]

The tuning's not that much of a leap - You can get started by playing chords upside down...

G = 0023
C = 0230
D = 2002

...etc. Although in chords like Am, you need to add the minor note (C) differently, like:

Am = 2230

And I find it much easier to read music for something tuned in strict fifths.

 

[Dave Hicks]

Large fingers didn't deter this guy:

 

[dog fart]

I love the sound of a well played Mando. I've tried to learn, but my fingers work against me. I was able to develope a decent chop after 6 months or so. I put the mando away, only pulling it out on certain occasions. Yesterday was one of those days. I still suck!

 

[mijstrat72]

I just picked up a Rogue Mando for the Stupid deal o' the day recently. I'm in the same boat, chubby fingers are not made for mando's. I thought maybe because this was a really cheapo model, that maybe the neck was smaller then usual, but looking at other mandolins, it appears the rogue is of average size.

I am actually having pain in my fingers I haven't felt in many years. I think some of it is due to holding down the 2 strings as opposed to one on a normal guitar.

I don't think I'll be putting the tele away just yet.

 

[Shepherd]

My vote for best thread title of the year .

 

[MickM]

I met Bill Monroe at a Gettysburg Camporee 20 or so years ago. That man had bear paws for hands, fingers like sausages. If you have big fat fingers you can play mando, you just have to play like Bill!

 

[babalooga]

I've been playing mandolin for about 15 years. It takes a little getting used to at first but give it a little time. I sometimes forget myself when I switch from mando to guitar and want to hold a barre chord on mando. I've played with some guys who had major sausage fingers and could just rip it up on mandolin. If you already know music and have your timing down mandolin is actually easier than you think. Good luck and don't give up.

 

[MahoganyMan11]

im about 6 feet tall, very large hands, but i still love playing one

 

[MiloCroton]

Be glad it has frets.

I played violin until my fingers wouldn't allow playing proper fingerings in the upper positions.

Viola & cello?

 

[studio1087]

It's fun. You can do it.

You just need some songs with a few chords. Play and sing some cowboy chord songs.

Look through some free mando chord/song sites and print a couple tunes.

My wife bought me a mando for Christmas a few years ago. I started with Christmas carols that had 4 chords.

It's small and very loud. That's fun.

 

[DrumBob]

Funny, I said the exact same thing last night at rehearsal. My guitar player/singer has a Godin electric mando. The neck is tiny.

 

[smallstoner]

The chords are easy to figure out once you realize that it's tuned the reverse of a bass guitar (or the last 4 strings on a guitar). Imagine playing open chords on a bass (or a guitar without the high E and B), then reverse them. Yes, it's a tiny little thing, but you can get used to it.

 

[jefrs]

It's got strings and frets. What more do you need?
A guitar player has already got the fingering technique, so you should be able to get "a tune" out of it within half an hour. It does take a moment to get used to the 5ths violin tuning, and transpose your guitar chords onto the mandolin neck.
I got one for Christmas one year, and got to bore everyone by playing them a wobbly version of Midnight On The Water after lunch.
I did notice that, like any new guitar, it would benefit from a setup, the action was very high.
My mando playing is still wobbly

 

[elevate155]

Adam Steffey! That's guy's hugh! And he's the fastest and cleanest around! No excuses!

 

[PeterVV]

you need a good fast right hand for a mandolin...I bought one years ago, am absolutely average at it...

 

[RedBarchetta]

You definitely need more finger strength to press 2 strings down.

 

[revelation2012]

The chords are easy to figure out once you realize that it's tuned the reverse of a bass guitar (or the last 4 strings on a guitar). Imagine playing open chords on a bass (or a guitar without the high E and B), then reverse them. Yes, it's a tiny little thing, but you can get used to it.

Ding! okay I tried to figure that out a couple years go and decided to just put it down but I was still learning the guitar fret board let alone giving myself a mind $*%& trying to learn something else that was not at all the same ...