Bluegrass, Newgrass and Mandolins!

[Curious_AJ]

I'm currently attempting to learn the Mandolin. I have been playing guitar for years now, and when I went to Vietnam last year I decided to buy a mandolin.

It's a really interesting instrument actually. Kind of like a Banjo mixed with a Ukelele, mixed with a 12 string guitar (in the way that you play double strings)
It has 8 strings which are tuned 2 by 2 so there are 4 different notes over the 8 strings.

what I'm wondering, is if any of you guys appreciate Bluegrass or Newgrass music in any way, or if you know anything about Mandolins, feel free to share.

[Hitcher]

I am a bluegrass fan. But I know bugger all about mandolins, other than that they're generally seedless and the Charlies ones peel easier than the others.

[Curious_AJ]

yay, bluegrass fan.. as for the mandolin... yes... charlies ones DO peel easier .....

[86GSXR]

A couple of years ago whilst in the Southern States I bought an album by Alison Krauss and Union Station - Live. It's a bloody supurb example of Bluegrass and features lot's of Mandolin playing. I love it

[Curious_AJ]

:O!! omg!! that would be awesome! Alison Kraus! yeah, i also love the use of mandolin in bands such as Led Zep and R.E.M. its really great.. not to mention how versatile the instrument is!!

[Hitcher]

Go out and buy some Hayseed Dixie. Three terrific albums now, and occasional featured use of a mandolin and the subtle strains of a tangelo. Dirty deeds have never been done dirt cheaper.

I see Alison Kraus has a new album out. Something to add to one's burgeoning collection, perhaps...

[Paul in NZ]

I have a shocking amount of 'Bluegrass' music .... I don't usually admit to it because it's a misunderstood and much abused genre. I am generally interested in a lot of folk music or simple 'peoples' music. If you want to listen to what i think is about the best bluegrass out there (Ms krauss is right up there btw) check out the Del McCoury Band ..... Steve Earle wanted to learn about Bluegrass so he recorded and album with them (The Mountain) which is well worth a listen as well.

I have a couple of CD's (someplace - I have to hide em) by Bill Monroe who basically invented (more defined) bluegrass as a genre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Monroe

Learn the mandolin or the mandola - fine instruments and I'm jealous of your ability.

[Holy Roller]

Our pastor plays a mandolin.
Its been great threapy for him after his stroke. He now plays just as well as before.

[Beemer]

I am a bluegrass fan. But I know bugger all about mandolins, other than that they're generally seedless and the Charlies ones peel easier than the others.

No, no, no, Hitcher! You are confusing the sound of this word with a small fruit - a mandolin is actually a vegetable slicer consisting of a flat stainless steel frame with adjustable cutting blades. I know because I own one. However, I would NOT advise anyone to attempt to play the mandolin by strumming it as it would most definitely fuck your fingers.

[crashe]

Chat to Riffer as he has one.

[Al]

Chat to Dave Warren, here is a link thingy to the Auckland Bluegrass Club: http://www.bluegrassnz.co.nz/

Al

[Curious_AJ]

funnerz, as for strumming the mandolin, you CAN .. but use a pick .. or your rough guitar-hardened fingers,... _b works well...

I find that loads of music is misunderstood.. bluegrass being one of the top most misunderstood.. however, i like it, and newgrass is just bluegrass, but jazzier usually...

you guys should try listening to a little Johnny Staats, he's got some REAL talent on that mandolin!

mandola.. now THERE'S a cool instrument as well!

[Curious_AJ]

some songs of johnny to look out for include

"Cat, Daddy Swing" and "Wound for Sound" _b

oh, and batkin & Mcdermott- don't touch my pig (includes pig sounds)

and Anthony Hannigan- Sled Minor

[Animal]

what I'm wondering, is if any of you guys appreciate Bluegrass or Newgrass music in any way, or if you know anything about Mandolins, feel free to share.

Yup, I have a ton of Nickel Creek, Allison Krauss, Chris Thielle and a few other top Bluegrass band CDs.

Check out Woodsongs.com for streamed onling Bluegrass and similar. It's really, really good.

[Curious_AJ]

oh yeah, i think i've been there before, its pretty awesome...

It's funny though, loads of people knock this type of music until they listen to it!
I know when I was younger, that's what I did until a couple of years back! It's actually, in my oppinion, some of the most interesting, beautiful, artistic music that ever was!
If you have a listen to those songs i put up earlier, you'll definately know what I mean!