Intro to the Octave Mandolin Instructional Video Questions

Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 23:22:52 -0600
Subject: Re: Mystic West Products: Octave Mandolin DVD

Message: Hi,

I recently purchased a copy of your \"Introduction to Octave Mandolin\" DVD by Mickey Cochran. I have bought several DVDs on Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin and this is by far the best one I have come across.

None of the others have discussed basics such as tuning, string types etc. which seems odd to me for introduction DVDs so it was great to see your DVD go into these details.

I just have one comment about it, although Mickey does explain things slowly and clearly it would be great to include the relevant tabs for the tunes in a booklet included with the DVD as I think after seeing the examples it would be much easier to learn the tunes by using a tab guide. Anyway, just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

Donn

Greetings Donn, Thanks for writing ... and appreciate the positive report on the DVD. It just so happens that all of the music, including the sample songs, are completely notated in both standard notation and tablature.

http://www.folkofthewood.com/Introduction_to_the_Octave_Mandolin_Tabs.html

Keep in mind, the scales, along with a few supporting songs, are also included in our Lessons Section at: http://www.folkofthewood.com/Octave_Mandolin_Lessons.html

Feel free to write anytime ... should you have any questions during your learning journey.

All my best,

Mickey Cochran

Folk of the Wood
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.folkofthewood.com

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:23:39 +0100
Subject: Re: Mystic West Products: Octave Mandolin DVD

Hi Mickey,

Thanks for your quick response, sorry it's taken so long to get back to you, I've been away for the last while.

Thanks very much for sending on all those PDFs, that's great and will make learning those tunes much easier for me. Thanks also for pointing me in the direction of your lesson section on your website, I had no idea that there was so much material there. You've done a great job of compiling a very extensive set of lessons and I look forward to working through them in more detail, thanks again.

Cheers,

Donn

Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 00:12:52 -0600
Subject: Re: Introduction to the Octave Mandolin

I just received my DVD and love it! Mickey Cochran did a fine job. I only wish that there was written literature for the scales, chords and music. That would have made life so much simpler.

Thank you for a fine quality product.

Tom W.

Greetings Tom,

Thanks so much for your positive input ...

As a matter of fact, I do have online pdf file of chord charts for the Octave Mandolin ...
http://www.folkofthewood.com/PDF/octavechordchart.pdf

And the Octave Mandolin lessons online will coincide with the video for scales:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Octave_Mandolin_Lessons.html

And, I do have most of the DVD transcribed to music available at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/Introduction_to_the_Octave_Mandolin_Tabs.html

And, of course, I'm completely at your disposal via e-mail should you ever have any questions whatsoever during your learning journey.

All my best,

Mickey Cochran

Folk of the Wood
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.folkofthewood.com

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:03:18 -0400
Subject: Re: Octave Mandolin DVD

I have just purchased Mickey's Octave mandolin DVD. I am enjoying it very much but wondering if there might be a book or booklet available which covers the material in it. I think it would be a lot more helpful if there was something printed that we could follow along with.
Your response would be appreciated.
Thanks for your help.

Russ

Hi Russ,

Thanks for writing. Yes, we have the accompanying sheet music for the video on the FOTW site located at:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/Introduction_to_the_Octave_Mandolin_Tabs.html

If you have any questions during your octave mando journey, feel free to write. I'm at your disposal.

All my best, Mickey

Mickey,
Thanks so much for the lightning quick response. I am a retired single man, so I have lots of time to put into it. I appreciate your help. Your skills are just great. Thanks again, Russ

Date: 12/21/08
Subject: RE: Octave mandolin/bouzouki strap

Hi, Mickey—The things have arrived, and I am so excited about the DVD. I am a bit leery of the strap since I have no idea what to do with it. I emailed Mr. Peterson (Bill, I think it is) to ask.

Could those long ties be tied around it somewhere. (You can tell what a complete novice I am.) Maybe when I look at your DVD tonight, I will be able to tell how it goes.

You look adorable on the cover—I take it that is you!!!!

Merry Christmas, and many thanks!!

Yes ... I also have been e-mailing Bill ... and we've concluded that your strap button would work best on the arch of the underside of the neck. Yes, the long ties are designed to be tied right behind the nut on the peghead of a mandolin. Firstly, this may not be long enough for an Octave Mandolin and secondly, it's not as comfortable as having a strap button installed ... so, on yours, you'll definitely want the strap button installed to use your new strap.

Thanks for the kind comments about the cover. However, on another note, I will be working on a Part II Octave DVD ... and hopefully a comprehensive Octave mandolin book. I'll also hopefully come up with a script for fingerpicking octave mandolin.

Be sure to e-mail any questions you may come up with during your learning journey. I'm there for you as long as may be necessary.

All my best ... and Merry Christmas!

Mickey Cochran

Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 11:44:58 -0400
Subject: Octave Mandolin

Greetings....

Received the video, the day after e-mailing you to check on the status (never fails!). The video looks great, just a few questions:
- Are there strings (with wound "A") that you recommend (manufacturer and source?). I haven't been able to find them around here.

Yes...you'll want to find the GHS Octave Mandolin strings...the only ones I personally use myself.

- Is TAB available for the video?

Yes ... you may find tabs for this entire video at: http://www.folkofthewood.com/Introduction_to_the_Octave_Mandolin_Tabs.html

We also have a lot of tabs in our online lessons section linked from below...some correlate...

- Does the Crosspicking Mandolin book mentioned in the video "work" on the octave mandolin?

Yes...most of the pieces can be accomplished on the Octave...of which I might add, sounds even fuller and more like a solo instrument within this style than does mandolin.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Thanks...and keep me abreast of your progress. Mickey

Subject: Octave Mandolin Fingering
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:54:50 -0500

Greetings Christopher,

Glad to assist if I can:

I can't seem to find a page anywhere on the web that describes how Octave Mandolin fingering differs from Mandolin fingering.

Yes, it's true. There are very few references to the Octave Mandolin on the internet...and, I do not even know of a published book covering Octave mando...

It seems that violin fingering is more or less directly transferable to the
the mandolin. But violin/mandolin fingering does not seem to work well on
an octive mandolin -- streaches are pretty long; makes the hand hurt.

This is also true...finger placement is quite a bit different...We do have the chord charts available on our website FAQs for Octave Mandolin:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3049.htm

We're hoping to add scalar exercises with finger placement...unfortunately, it may be a long time coming due to our overwhelming details at the FOTW store.

For the purposes of picking out tunes, should we finger an octave mandolin
as if it were a cello?

I suspect this would work...however, I do not play cello to confirm this...only experimentation will reveal how well it works for you.

Is there a place on the web that describes O-mandolin fingering, and presents pictures of chords?

Again, we do have the open position chord charts available as a downloadable PDF (see above)...let me know if you have any trouble loading this file.

An obvious answer for me would be to just buy the Video, and I just might do
this. But it seems like there should be a page somewhere on the Web that
describes the subject.

Yes...the video covers all the fingering for both chords and first-position scales...along with melodies and chord progressions to further establish these fingerings. And, it's the only instructional road map for Octave mando that we know of...it's available through our online store or through www.elderly.com

Let me know if I can ever assist you further...Mickey

Thanks
C. Guida

Product Review of the
"Intro to Octave Mandolin" Video:

From learning such fundamentals as "proper" hand positioning to fingerpicking improv, this video is a must for beginners right up to veteran players. Mickey's easy and relaxed style guides you through the process from tuning, holding the instrument, chord charts, to step by step tune breakdown from simple to advanced, and then into some improvisational fingerpicking. Starting with basic melodies, broken out part by part, and then advancing into more intricate tunes as well as some of his own compositions, Mickey provides a good instructional guide for anybody contemplating learning the Octave Mandolin. The rich, smoky, baritone of his Weber Yellowstone Octave Mandolin is a treat to hear as he leads you step by step into the relatively uncharted world of the Octave Mandolin. Mickey demonstrates breakdowns of early American fiddle tunes, Celtic tunes, as well as some bold journeys into his well demonstrated fingerpicking skills on the medieval-like original "Battle of Rivendell"...a must for Lord of the Ring fans! This was the missing instrument from that soundtrack! Mickey's video demonstrates the husky voice of this musical chameleon of the mandolin family. It truly is a "world" instrument that is able to adapt to any musical stylings you prefer. Let Mickey show you how. As a player who strives for greater proficiency, I wish I'd had access to such an informative resource when I was starting out. I'd be light years ahead of where I am now. Highly recommended! Submitted and Written by Master Octave Mandolinist: Russell Godfrey

Russell's Further Suggested Octave Listening Discography:

Discography for Octave Mandolin/Irish Bouzouki/Cittern

Mandolirium - Unstrung Heroes
Danu – Think Before You Think
Bothy Band – Old Hag You Have Killed Me
Tim O’Brien – The Crossing, Real Time
Old Blind Dogs – Legacy, Tall Tails, New Tricks, Bred In The Bone, "Fit?"
Planxty – Well Below the Valley, Cold Blow and the Rainy Night
Robin Bullock – Green Fields, Lightning Field, Travellers
Gerald Trimble – First Flight –(rare) – Heartland Messenger, Crosscurrents
Roger Landes – Dragon Reels
Kevin MacLeod – Springwell
Tannahill Weavers –(many recordings)
Altan – (many recordings)
Ron Kavana – Home Fire, Think Like a Hero, Coming

Subject: Video Sampler Question
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 17:14:14 -0400

Hi Mickey!

I had taken a vow of silence for at least two weeks, but now I have to
break it :))

Actually, the video sampler I'm referring to is the one at:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page532.htm

And I hope that you tell me it's on the "Intro to Octave Mandolin"
tape. That is one awsome piece of music!

Thanks again!

Garry

Greetings Garry,

Yeah! I know which piece you're referring to: "The Battle of Rivendell"...I wrote this piece in 1990...It's one of my personal favorites...and, it just so happens to also be showcased on the "Intro to the Octave Mando" video...because of the limited time frame, the piece wasn't broken down to be taught...it was aired on the video with the hopes that others would take an interest in fingerpicking octave mandolin...

Here's the Chapter it's located in:

Chapter VII: New Dimensions In Octave Mandolin
A. "The Battle of Rivendell" B. "The Amber Hills of Moria"
Thanks for your avid support of my fingerpicking mando efforts...Mickey

Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2002 00:35:39 -0700
Subject: Further Octave News

Mickey

I just received Zan MacLeod's irish bouzouki vidoeo from home spun. It's a good one. He takes a different tack than yours so I would consider them complementary rather than competetive in nature. I must mean that they (Home Spun Videos) figured you did what you did very well and saw no need to do that. Zan plays in the same tuning GDAD that I do and in fact we have very similar styles. He stresses chords and backup. It's a bummer that they never took your idea and used yours but at least you shouldn't have to go head to head with them.

Cheers

Rik Barron

Greetings Rik,

Thanks for keeping me abreast...I appreciate your critique and certainly, it makes me feel that this could have been in the works before I sent my sample tape to Happy Traum (President of Home Spun Tapes). He seemed nice enough and did respond very positively.

I'm hoping to continue the Octave Mando series with an Intermediate Tape and an Advanced Tape making it a 3-part series in totality. I will introduce your tuning GDAD within its own chapter...

Please stay in touch if ever you come across other zook and octave news!

Wishing you the best, Mickey