Which Acoustic Instrument to Play

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 20:45:34 -0400
Subject: Sold the Johnson JG-035-N (store #11126) for $175 yet?

Also, if a beginner, how do you know if you prefer guitar or mandolin?

Thanks for your help!

Sue Reynolds

Greetings Sue,

My suggestion would be to first listen through our video samplers...

You may find after listening through our sampler section, an instrument that appeals to you, or a style of music that ignites your interest to pursue learning. Additionally, you'll want to visit our FAQ database about choosing between instruments...upon narrowing your choice of which instrument to pursue, you can then check out our Free Lessons Section for an orientation on what's involved with learning the instrument of choice along with what's available in book and video format...Mickey

Links to all of the sections can be found below...

For video samplers, on most instruments we carry:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm

For free acoustic music lessons:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm

For a listing of Wisdom of the Wood instructional books and videos:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page645.htm

Subject: Wanting to play a new intrument.
Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 23:01:49 -0500

Hey Mickey,

Greetings Jeremy,

I have really enjoyed browsing you're website, it is one like no other.

Thanks for the immense compliment...

I am very interested in playing a new insturment. I have played several instruments in the past ranging from a saxophone and piano, to the guitar and bass. I enjoy playing the bass very much, but am looking for something a little more melodic. I am not a great rhythm guitar player, but can pick fairly decent. I have really lost interest in playing the guitar. I have been looking at the banjo and the dobro, but have really found interest in the mandolin. I love to sing, and am wanting an intsrument that I can play and sing unaccompanied, but also want to play and sing with some friends. I listen/play Southern Bluegrass/Country Gospel music, and will be playing my new instrument in church. I do think that my mind is made up with the mandolin, but I would like your oppinion.

Wow! Sounds like you've explored your options well...if you are listening to your inspiration first, it sounds like mandolin is the choice. Mandolin is quite versatile and can be played effectively within a lot of different genres. Banjo has been too stereotyped as a bluegrass instrument...and Dobro may be limiting for key structure...since it's played in open-tuning (capos are essential on a squareneck Dobro)...

I am really taken w/the Michael Kelly Solid mando. I was wanting your opinion on how the MK Solid adds up to other mando's in its class.

The Michael Kelly is as good as you can ask for this price point...others to consider include the Morgan Monroe...

I noticed that the Kentucky brand mando has "Made in China" in the description. Is the Michael Kelly an American made mando?

No, the Michael Kelly is made in Korea...which is one of the higher esteemed locations of manufacture for imports...

Which do you think is better: Kentucky, Johnson, MK, or MM?

They all have their pluses and minuses...my suggestion would be to listen through some of our video samplers, linked from below, and determine what sounds best to you...we're still introducing some of the Johnsons and MK's...so please stay tuned with us for updates. Additionally, you might also consider calling our in-house mando expert: Tradd @ 888-209-8434...he can even play them over the phone for you...

Mickey

Thank You For Your Time,

Jeremy S. Gunter

Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2004 07:29:54 -0600
Subject: Re: Fwd: newbie

Greetings,

Thanks for the quick response! I didn't think it would be that soon. I
forgot to mention the fact that my fingers are really large. They are
short but pretty thick. Are all banjo neck sizes the same?

They're are all relatively the same size...some with slightly more thickness...but most all with a narrow nut width.

In fooling around with that one, I realize it is going to be hard for my fingers to
fret and stay off the string next to it. I am sure as my fingers learn
their positions that will become some better. That is one thing that has
lead me more toward the banjo, while it does have to be chorded and all
its not as much so as a guitar. Everyone around here is telling me I
should learn to play the guitar first before I do anything else. I
understand that for a sound reference, but I think I need to spend my
energies doing what I really want to do.

Remember, Roy Clark had short fat fingers...he played a mean banjo...

My suggestion would be to follow your calling first...to learn banjo does not require learning guitar first...stay inspired..."Life is short, eat dessert first!"

There are many banjo players that began on banjo and stayed on banjo without learning any other instrument...

Mickey

Subject: bluegrass
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 20:01:00 -0500

Greetings Dave,

Glad to assist:

I love bluegrass music, and have tried the banjo (bluegrass), w lessons, and can barely play Cripple Creek after 2-3 years..howbiet, I hae limited time to practice, and hard to find a steady teacher.
In years past, I have mastered the guitar, at least where i can help with a group play a song..not so much w pickin tho.
I am debating whether to try the Dobro, or Mandolin.
I know i did not spend quality dollars on my banjo, and sometimes that is a primary reason for early frustration, but with a quality Dobro, or Mandolin...which way would you tend to go, as far as ease of learning?

Both are relatively easy to learn...and, of course, next to impossible to master. I would suggest the mandolin since it would be completely different than the 5-string banjo approach...the Dobro requires some of the very same mechanics as does a 5-string banjo. You might find that you have more facility with a flatpick than fingerpicks...you never know until you try...

I love the bruegrass music, and would love to play. I wish i knew someone i could borrow one or both from, and see how both handle, and the ease.

You might try your local music stores...if that doesn't work, buy a mandolin from a mail order company that allows you a 100% trade back...hence, if it doesn't work for you within a week, or a month, you can always trade back towards a dobro and try your hand at that...without any loss of initial investment.

I have even tried the fiddle, which seemed to me the most complicated of all the acoustical instruments to learn..however, i was able to keep it long enough to learn the scales, re-sale it, and at least know now that i'm eliminating the possiblities.
May have to settle for listening to my CD's, but i love being with a group, and singing along, and would like to play an instrument.
Can you give me a bit of advice..?

My advice is not to stop trying...you may find which instrument speaks through you yet. Best of luck to you in your research efforts...Mickey

Mabey a jaw harp?......Dave

Subject: Very unfair question
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 16:29:07 -0500

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:

Hi.
Visited your website.
The question has to do with what instrument to play.
Suffice to say I am not a kid any more. A couple of years ago I decided I
wanted to play an instrument and purchased a lap dulcimer. Played with that
for a while, but got a little frustrated with the modes. Once instruction
book would say this mode, another would say another mode, and with small
hands found that making some of the "stretches" was a little difficult.

Yes, dulcimer does have its limitations on tonal range...it's essentially a drone-type instrument that is limited to the type of tuning you choose...if you're fast at tuning, you can carry the mountain dulcimer into a much larger tonal range...

So, fell in love with a little red mandolin. Taught myself using
instruction books. Moved up to an F-Style. Liked the sound better - more
of a "mandolin" sound for me. Made friends with Audey Ratliff down in
Church Hill, TN. Bought it from him.

Yes...Ratliff makes a fine mandolin. If he wasn't so backlogged on orders, we would have loved to represent his product line...I've talked with him on the phone before...seems to be super individual...we've had traded in Ratliffs before...

After a couple of years, I'm feeling a bit frustrated. Prefer playing
"traditional" mandolin to bluegrass. My choice of repetoire is somewhat
limited in terms of mandolin instruction. Feel I have passed the beginners
stage, but having difficulty finding books for the intermediate to advanced
stage. Took a few "live" lessons mostly to get confirmation that I was
"doing it right".

You might consider Jethro Burns' Complete Mandolin Methods...his books are most definitely intermediate to advanced...additionally, David Grisman has a 6 CD instructional program that's oriented to the intermediate to advanced level...

Thinking of "switching gears". Have thought about guitar. I know that
there will be no shortage of instruction books there. Continue to want to
teach myself. For some reason, I am not tremendously attracted to the
guitar.

The guitar is the most versatile of all instruments...certainly, a true solo instrument since it carries itself on the bass end...

I am, however, thinking about violin. I am attracted to the violin's size
and sound. Concerns I have is the difficulty of the instrument, problems
presented in attempting to teach myself, and finally, quality of the
instrument. I realize that a good quality violin can be quite costly.
Would want to sell my mandolin in order to purchase a violin. That would
probably give me around $2000 to work with.

The violin is one of the most difficult of all instruments to learn...I started teaching myself a couple of years back...and, it's one very demanding instrument...requires some type of diligence with practice time...especially, if you want to see some progress.

Yes, the quality is critical to the tonal response; a low-end violin will not have the softness of tone nor the ease of playability that a high-end would...however, when I speak of high-end, I've found many in the 500+ range that will certainly work well...you don't need to sell your Ratliff to get into a decent violin.

We do have a consignment program of which you may be interested in...

Hope some of the above has been of some assistance...Mickey

I know I have been long-winded and rambling, but would very much appreciate
some feedback from you.
Thank you VERY much,
--Paul

Subject: Question About Bluegrass Music
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 12:02:39 -0500

What is the easiest Bluegrass Instrument to LEARN TO PLAY?

My estimation that the easiest of all bluegrass instruments to learn to play would be the mandolin...for the following reasons:

1. Chords can be played using only two fingers...in fact, an entire chord progression can be played with all three chords using only two fingers per chord.

2. A mandolin requires a flatpick to play...which is quite easy to handle as compared to using fingerpicks or a fiddle bow. Hence, the mechanics are relatively simple.

3. I believe the size of the mandolin also contributes to ease of play...its small enough for anyone to pick up...there's never an issue of: it's too large to reach around, I can't reach the frets at the open position, the neck is too large for me to play a chord on, etc.

4. There are only four choruses of strings...making it simpler to tackle as compared to a 6-string guitar or a 5-string banjo...less strings equate less effort to learn all fret positions.

Another instrument that would be considered easy to learn would be the Dobro...no real fretting is required...however, the difficult part would be learning to pick with fingerpicks and a thumbpick.

Now, this all holds true on mandolin; however, be aware, it may be easy to learn...guaranteed, as is true with all the rest of the bluegrass instrument ensemble, it's very difficult to master.

My suggestion would be to buy a couple of intro videos on learning to play...for banjo, mandolin, guitar...and maybe Dobro...any of the ones you are serious about learning, and view them to determine what you feel would be the easiest to tackle.

Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey

Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2003 13:06:14 -0500

I am interested in purchasing a sting instrument for my husband (Christmas). He has not had any formal music lessons however he enjoys the string instruments. For a beginner is there one instrument you would suggest that it is not too difficult to learn ( ie: banjo, etc. vs. the violin which is quite hard). Thank you

Mrs. R Robinson

Glad to assist if I can:

I believe that one of the easiest of all string instruments to learn to play is the mandolin. Many of the major chords only require two fingers to play. Melodies fall easily into place on the mandolin too.

What ever you do decide on, be sure purchase an accompanying instructional video...so that your husband will have a road map to go by...

Violin and banjo are quite difficult to get through the first stages on...Acoustic guitar is an option...however, mandolin is still easier to learn...Dobro may be an option, however, the fingerpicking part can be difficult for some. Still, the mandolin is the easiest of all to play simple melodies and chords on...

Hope this helps, Mickey

Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 00:42:54 -0700
Subject: Re: Easiest to learn?

I want to learn how to play an instrument. I am 43 years old, and the only music lessions I remember were guitar lessons when I was very young. I quit because it hurt my fingers so much!

Which instrument is easiest to learn, and easiest on the fingers? I am interested in the dobro and mandolin, but am willing to start anywhere. I want something that I can have relatively fast results with so I don't lose interest and / or give up too soon!

What price range should I expect for beginner, entry-level instruments. Suggestions? Thanks for any help you can offer!

Anita

Greetings Anita,

I believe that the banjo or violin would be easiest on the fingers...however, they both are the most difficult to get up and running...

The mandolin would be one of the easiest to learn both melody and chords on...however, the strings can be somewhat stiff to play...and, therefore, not too easy on the fingers.

The Squareneck Dobro would be somewhat easy to learn...and certainly, the easiest on the fingers...since you would be playing with a steel bar for any fretting...however, the difficult aspect of learning to play a Squareneck Dobro involves the right-hand technique where you'll need to learn to fingerpick. Be sure to check out our video sampler section to get an idea of this process:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm

We have a great video series, which I produced myself, that covers the basics of learning to play squareneck dobro...you might consider purchasing one of these videos before buying the instrument...this would give you a good idea about how difficult it would be to learn...same would be true for mandolin:

"Intro to the Dobro" Parts I & II
"Intro to the Mandolin"

The above videos are available through http://www.elderly.com or our website: http://www.folkofthewood.com

For a beginner Dobroist, the Regal, or Johnson, Squareneck is the best value going at approx 325.00 depending on the model...for a beginner Mandolinist, you should find a decent model at 250.00 or so...

Let me know if you have further questions:
Mickey

Subject: Re: What to try?
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 13:55:12 -0500

Mickey

I am 52 years old and have never played an instrument. I have a group of very good friends that get together every other Saturday night and play(guitar, banjo, cello, dobro, flute, harp, drums, and harmonica). I would really like to be able to play not just sing with them someday.
Here's my question. I have short, fat fingers, what might be the easiest acoustic instrument for me to learn? I considered a mountain dulcimer, but I understand they may be somewhat limited in accompanying the other instruments. What about a mandolin? What should I look for to make it a little easier with my short, fat fingers?

Thanksfor your help and advice!
Bruce

Greetings Bruce,

Glad to assist if I can:

I believe the easiest to learn to play, with shorter fingers, would be the Dobro...since you're only sliding a bar and not having to learn difficult chordal patterns, the Dobro is less demanding to learn on; however, it still is as difficult as any other instrument to master.

The mandolin would work to a degree...the fat fingers can be contributory to grabbing chords easier on the tips...where, sometimes a chord will require the same fret on two adjacent strings, such as the open position Em, and this can be easily achieved with fatter fingers. Keep in mind, even mandolin can require somewhat of a stretch to reach certain melodies and chords. Make sure that whichever mandolin you do decide on is set up with a lower action for ease of playability.

At your disposal, FOTW

Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 12:05:31 -0600

Dear Sirs,

I know next to nothing about banjos. But I still want to own one and learn to
play it...hopefully "Bluegrass-style".

Now I am not what you would call a "real musician"...I play guitar a little.
What I want is advice on what banjo would be best to learn on. I prefer the
closed back design from what I see on your website. What do you recommend?
Also will be looking at lessons. I'm 57 but I don't think its too late to
learn.

Thanks for your advice and help.

George Hubbell

Hello George,

I'd be glad to assist...

For Bluegrass style banjo playing, you'll most definitely want a resonator style banjo (what you've referred to as "closed back")...this is essential in a bluegrass jam session where projection is critical.

It's never too late to take up a musical instrument...at whatever age, you'll find yourself gaining a different perspective on life in the effort of learning a new artform. It can truly be a most enjoyable experience...if you've been enjoying listening to music most of your life, you've always been a student of music...you've been attuned to melodies, harmonies and chord progressions by being a lifelong listener! And, since you've already played a little guitar, you have some foundation laid for playing banjo...

Following beginner bluegrass models offer a lot of value:
1. Goodtime II
2. Saga Style III
3. Goldtone BG-250F
4. Deering Boston

Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can assist you with anything else...
Mickey Cochran
--

Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 12:16:13 -0600

Hello,
I had a lot of fun wandering through your website tonight and have a very
generic question. I've played the acoustic guitar and electric bass for over
20 years in church settings and have off and on considered expanding my
skills to other acoustic instruments. Is the mandolin the "natural"
instrument to migrate to next? I've come to this observation based in part
in the amount of mandolin-like sounds I've been hearing in a lot of music
today. I'm not particularly interested in bluegrass music which is what the
mandolin is most commonly associated with. Our church is also beginning
preparations for our Christmas musical which features a lot of Jewish
sounding music. There is no music score for acoustic guitar but I think I
hear a mandolin in my head. Is my reasoning sound, or should I be looking at
the octave mando or bouzouki instead?

Thanks.
Chak Aw

Hello Chak,

You'll find the longer scale of an octave or bouzouki easier adapt to as a guitar player...even so, if you want a truly different coloring for your arrangements, I'd recommend a mandolin...and, in your case, a nice oval hole flat style such as Weber or Mid-Missouri offers may do you justice...they have a very open, woody tone with lots of sustain...for Jewish music, mandolin also fits well and adds to the expected characteristics of Klezmer music.

Hope this helps...

Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can assist you with anything else...
Mickey Cochran

Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000

I just found your sight today. This is really refreshing. I have been learning rythum guitar and now would like to start doing some Bluegrass pickin. I have no idea where to start. Any suggestions? What is the difference between crosspicking and flatpicking?

The best place to start on flatpicking is to develop the up/down picking strokes that are so critical to establishing timing and a solid technique. To do this, start with our basic exercises available on our website. The difference between crosspicking and flatpicking: Crosspicking is truly a flatpicking technique...it's sort of an off-shoot of flatpicking. Crosspicking offers a fuller sound by filling in the spaces between the melody with harmonic support. It's a technique that allows you to play solo flatpicking guitar while still attaining a full sound.

Date = 27 Feb 99

howdy neighbor ~tell me, how difficult is it for someone who knows absolutely nothing about music, yet comes from a long line of musicians, to learn how to play a fiddle? How bout a banjo" Any suggestions? susan brown

Hi Susan, The fiddle is truly a difficult instrument to learn and can be difficult to persevere until you can get a sweet tone out of it. The banjo is also difficult due to the fingerpicking approach; although, it's a lot easier to get a good tone from the start. You'll have to make your own decision on which to pursue. Weigh the scales and follow your passion. Another consideration would be the mandolin. As long as it's tuned, you'll sound good from the start. With the mandolin you could also establish a good foundation for playing fiddle. Let me know if I can assist you further...Mickey Cochran

Date: Thu, 13 May 1999

I am interested in trying to learn the fiddle. My particular interest is cajun music and style. I do not understand the sizing of fiddles. Does the size of the entire instrument vary, including the length and width of the neck? I am short in stature (5'5") and am cursed with relatively short arms and fingers (For that reason, I gave up on standard guitar. I now play steel guitar, dobro and accordion). What would your recommendation be as to size and model (or should I just give up on the idea and leave this activity to persons with long arms and long, skinny fingers?). Thanks. Doug Laurice

Hello Doug, If you're already spread out on other instruments, be forewarned, the fiddle will pull you away from them. It demands a lot of attention and practice. Sizing of fiddles is usually addressed in age groups...all adults play the 4/4 size (full size)...while the smaller violins are designed for younger students (1/4-3/4)...

Because of the innate smallness of the violin, even in full size, size of fingers and arms should not be a factor.

Remember our store policies:

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

If the instrument doesn't fit you, we will refund you your purchase price...

100% Upgrade Value: After purchasing through us...your instrument will always hold its initial purchase value. If you'd ever like to upgrade to a more expensive instrument through us, we offer 100% trade-in value, on your Folk of the Wood original purchase, towards the purchase of any upgraded instrument we may have in stock...We even discount what you're trading in for...this is our way to ensure you're investing your money in instruments that you can grow into...without a loss of initial investment.

Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can assist you with anything else...Mickey

Email: info@folkofthewood.com