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Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 15:54:52 -0500

Steve Schaper says:

Any chance the instructional videos could be burned on DVD? The ability to step by step frames might be quite helpful for understanding fast left-hand work, etc.

Greetings Steve,

Most definitely...in fact, we're in requisitions for a DVD mastering deck. We've saved all of our videos on their original hard drives so the conversion should be short and sweet. It's only a matter of time. Wisdom of the Wood, our publishing company, will soon offer a complete catalogue of these along with other acoustic titles.

Thanks so much for your further interest in our videos...Mickey

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Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 22:58:15 EST
Subject: Mandola Video

Hi Mickey,
I ordered the new Mandola video about 2 weeks ago. I was told it wasn't ready to go yet, at that time, I'm just curious as to how soon I can expect to receive it. I'm not in any particular hurry, just wondering.
I have enjoyed the Octave Mandolin video quite a bit. I learned some new things and had other things I have been trying confirmed. I'm glad you are doing instruction on instruments that are out of the mainstream.
Happy New Year,
Joe Mendel

Thanks Joe,

The mandola video is now completed...it turned out to be 1 hour and 45 minutes in length which is 45 minutes longer than the Octave video. It's oriented to the complete beginner and moves into the intermediate level...A great video for the complete beginner mandola player. I hope to offer a 3-part series for both octave and mandola that will bring the player up to the pro level...thanks for your avid support of our efforts.

Be sure to feel free to shoot me any questions you may conjure up during the learning process. I'd be glad to assist...

Keep on pickin',
Mickey
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Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 00:52:30 -0600
Subject: Re: Fwd: Guitar Crosspicking book FAQs

Hi, I would like to be notified when the Guitar crosspicking book
becomes available either by email or phone if possible.

Second - I have a question : I have used crosspicking for a number of
years, about 95% of it is forward roll.

I use the George Shuffler technique ie: D D U D D U D U . I can use
alternating pick strokes as most of your free lessons indicate, but I cannot sustain the same speed as with the
Shuffler method. I also don't have problems accenting the correct notes with Shuffler's method. Also on
a backward roll you use a D U U... pattern - I tend to use D U D U ...

My question is do you have any comments about the pros and cons of the different techniques.

Thanks Joe Yudichak

Greetings Joe,

I truly believe that having complete pick direction independence is the ultimate achievement within any crosspicking idioms...

I try to orient the pick direction to best benefit the song...it seems every song has its own character that guides the pick direction based on where the melody falls and what best fits the accents that delineate the melody.

The Shuffler technique seems to work best when you want a true banjo roll effect. I've found the D U D U to work within most 4/4 tunes, when a roll effect is not the goal, and as long as you allow the pattern to change to fit where the melody wanders...again, independent patterns being the ultimate goal.

Most all of what we've been discussing is subjective...so, please feel free to experiment and pursue what works best for you.

Please contact Mel Bay about the #97177 book's release date. I've been waiting now for over a year...if we can get them to realize the demand, maybe they'll press it. Thanks for your avid interest in this book's release.

Keep on pickin',

Mickey

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Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 10:41:01 -0600
From: Russell Godfrey
Subject: Octave Mandolin Video

By the way, the video is GREAT! I can actually learn some stuff to improve how I play.....seriously! I like how you play, I think you have a
very tasty style and your O/M sounds great! Once again, congrats on the video. I'll be using it for sure. I know that it
will help me. I really do like your style.

Thanks so much for the positive update...it inspires me to work harder on future video projects. It also means a lot coming froming you...Mickey

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Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 17:30:33 -0600
Subject: Octave mando questions
From: Liam Graham

Is Mickey's octave mando book out yet? I definitely want the video, but a book would be great too ...

I'm currently working on the book...it will be a compilation of most all major octave players with an emphasis on developing technique. The book will still be more of an intermediate to advanced level...if you'll master the video first, the book will be easier to tackle.

Well, I think that's about it. As I said in my
original email, thank you so much for all of the soul
and passion that you've managed to put into your
website. Just browsing, reading, and listening has
been a great experience. Your policies for trade-in
and trade-up are unique, and I look forward to doing
lots of repeat business with you! Maybe I'll get out
to NM one of these days and stop by.

Thanks so much for the kind words regarding our website...and, please come by if you're ever in our neck of the woods...Mickey

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Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2001 01:27:22 -0600
Subject: Re: mandola questions

Hello. I have been playing mandolin for about a year and am thinking
about getting a mandola. I like the somewhat deeper tone and the fact
that the scale is shorter than an octave mandolin. However, I have not
been able to find any instructional material for the mandola. Even Mel
Bay doesn't list such a book. I can figure out easily enough how an
octave mandolin should be played since the tuning is simply an octave
lower than a mandolin. But what about the mandola? How would I know how
to make various chords? Any help at all would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Eric Fidler

Greetings Eric,

This is true...Weber mandolins and ourselves have come to the conclusion that there isn't a book or video available today that covers mandola technique. This was also true of Octave mandolin...the first video on Octave mandolin has been completed (available now off the FOTW website) and the Octave book is nearing completion.

In association with Weber, I'm currently working on a Mandola video that covers every aspect of playing...I will also be finishing up a Mandola book that will cover chords, scales, exercises and songs from different genres.

Please stay tuned for these to be released soon. Mickey

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Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 01:45:14 -0600
From: Scott Tichenor
Subject: Octave Mandolin Video & Other Books

Mickey, is this a Mel Bay release? I'll gladly write
something up. Always wanted to do something more on
the octave end of things on the cafe but there's just
not much out there in the way of recordings or
educational material. This should be a welcome
addition.


Nope...I did personally hand a finished version over to William Bay at the NAMM Show...even so, I'm not sure if I want any one to publish these videos. Since we've opened Folk of the Wood, we've established a great venue for selling instructional materials. When we first met, by email, FOTW was nonexistent. The last manuscript, "Crosspicking Guitar Techniques" that I submitted to Mel Bay has been pending going to press for over 12 months. It's supposed to go to press any day now.

I'm compiling the Octave mando book and would be more than happy to assist you in building the Octave mando section by contributing pdf's...etc.

I just ran into a student of yours who moved down here from Kansas City...he came over for an mando orientation lesson. I told him that I'd assist him in any way I can...I just couldn't set aside scheduled lessons. He spoke very highly of you and your orientation lesson/s. I informed him that you may be coming down for a visit...


I've been gigging a lot more since a good friend moved
back to the area from Colorado Springs. I'm using him
as a bass player in a little trio that does Doc Watson
& Norman Blake type of material. He's also a good
gypsy style guitarist so we've been doing some of
Django's music as a duet at some local cafes. My other
musical duo has done a few weddings and private gigs
but that's about it.

I love everything Norman's ever done! I used to breathe and sleep his earlier works such as: "Coming Down From Rising Fawn". I'd love to hear what you're doing. The "Hot Club of France" stuff really moves me...


I keep threatening to do a recording but between my
daughter and the Cafe (http://www.mandolincafe.com)I keep pretty busy. No
complaints though.

If someday you want to do a video, I would love to produce it (I would perform this for you free of charge). When you come through these parts, you'll have to see my media studio of which I'm very proud and forever in debt to (in more than many ways). There are many mando players who would love to have a video of Scott Tichenor's playing style.

Anyway, hopefully, you make it down this way soon. Mickey

Note to Everyone: Be sure to check out Scott's exemplary website at: http://www.mandolincafe.com

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Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 21:55:56 -0600
To: "Ron Cain"
Subject: Re: Mandolin Crosspicking

I have downloaded your lessons on crosspicking from the mandolincafe and was wondering if you were going to continue with new material, (not that I have mastered the lessons yet). This is something I am very interested in because it goes well beyond just playing the melody line. Can you recommend any other source for infomation on crosspicking, I haven't checked out the Mel Bay books yet. Thanks for a prompt reply. Ron

Greetings Ron,

Thanks for your interest in my crosspicking offerings. You might want to check out the downloadable pdf files off of our website: www.folkofthewood.com

Here's a direct URL for the page with the pdf's: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm

I have been continuing the material and will soon offer up some new lessons on Mandolin Cafe's site.

I've also recently finished an extensive book on crosspicking for guitar...

Hope the above info helps...let me know if I can ever assist you with further questions. Mickey

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From: Mike Maurer
Subject: Banjo Tabs of Video Samplers
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 12:46:16 -0600

Bryan,

Thanks so much for your help. I am planning to do the trade-in, probably for a new Sierra or Deluxe. It will be a couple of weeks down the road though. I'll contact you then.

Thanks again!

Mike

P.S. I was wondering if the banjo tablature is available for any of the tunes Mickey plays on your "Video Sampler" page? There are several that I really like. But especially his mellow rendition of "Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring" that he plays on several of those clips. And also the one he plays on the "Deering Sierra #1" clip. What is the name of that song? Please let me know if I can get tablature of these arrangements.



Greetings Mike,

Yes, I did quite a few originals on the video sampler pages...currently, I'm working on an video instructional series that will cover some of these pieces...and, even the light classical pieces such as Joy...

Thanks for your continued interest and please stay tuned for this series of banjo videos to be listed on our website...I'm producing a beginner to advanced series that encompasses all styles of music as they apply to banjo...as opposed to being a strictly bluegrass instructional theme as commonly found on most all banjo instructional videos.

Mickey

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