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Subject: crosspicking lessons

Mickey,

Do you have the lessons in real music notation, rather than tablature, that I could get?

Thanks,

Lightning

Greetings Lightning,

Love the name btw...

The Mandolin Crosspicking Technique book is written entirely in tablature...this is really a space saver for printing...for to include both tab and standard notation would have increased the size another 75%.

On the upside, we do have free online crosspicking lessons that include both the tablature and standard notation...check them out at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page5297.htm

Be sure to get back with us if you have any further suggestions...we'd love to help...

Mickey

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Subject: Tempos
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 23:18:18 -0500

Dear Mickey,

Greetings John,

Glad to assist if I can:

I have a Seiko metronome and I purchased your book on Mandolin Crosspicking Techniques. My question is; If the book says the target tempo is 155 and my metronomes settings are 152 and 160, which tempo do I choose?

You only need to round off to the nearest lowest tempo marking of 152...the difference in tempo is almost inaudible by 3 beats per minute...and the ultimate goal is to learn to keep an even tempo over and above having haphazard speed.

I also bought your video "Intro to the Mandolin". I really wish I knew it was available on DVD because it would make it a lot easier to pick or go back to the lesson I want.

Yes, the DVD is still in the works...be sure to stay tuned on our website for its official release. It's been a long time coming. Upon its release, call James and let him know Mickey requested that you get the DVD at half-price since you've already purchased the VHS version.

Anyhow the (VHS Formatted) video is a little cheesy but the content is excellent.

We just finished our "Intro to the Acoustic Guitar" conversion, and the difference really is day and night. Having the ability to navigate to any chapter is indispensable for an instructional video....

I've played around with the Mandolin since 1980. I love it! I think it is the sweetest sounding instrument with strings in the world.

Yeah...I'm in complete agreement with you!

All I've ever had for instructions was from books and I could never figure out how to get the cording right. Your video has opened a new world for me and I'm so excited to start playing again. I quit for awhile because I was in a serious accident that totally crushed my upper left arm. After 5 years and a total shoulder operation I feel confident enough to start playing again. The arm is still a little messed up and so are my fingers but with your video and book I'm ready to go. Wish me luck and thanks for all your help.

This is very inspiring to hear...be sure to stay tuned with us on your learning journey...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

John Benedict
"Live for today, for yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never be."

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Date: Fri, 02 May 2003 21:34:19 -0700
Subject: crosspicking recording(s)

Hi Mickey,
Your crosspicking book is a great teaching resource has been one of the most useful mando books i have encountered. Yes, I have most every McReynolds, Tiny Moore, Grisman, Wakefield, Thiele, and Kenny Hall recording with crosspicking available, but here is the inevitable request:
Pending your CD to accompany your great crosspicking book, can I buy ANY recording of you crosspicking one or more of the pieces from your book. I really love the selections, but am finding it a bit slow going without a recording to guide me. I would not mind making a fair contribution toward your next recording effort if you could sell me even an unedited cut or two.
thanks, john comstock

Greetings John,

Thanks so much for your kind enthusiasm regarding my crosspicking instructional material.

Yes, the crosspicking accompaniment CDs, for the "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" and the "Guitar Crosspicking Technique", are in planning. Therefore, please stay tuned with us on their release.

Now, I have performed a few of the crosspicking mandolin, and guitar, pieces on our website as instrument video samplers:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm

Unfortunately, I do not have them all documented...and, therefore, am not too sure of each instrumental's location.

You're welcome to go through these samplers, at the above link, to see if you discover any of them...I will also try to add a few more crosspicking arrangements in upcoming video samplers soon to be posted.

Keep on pickin', Mickey

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Subject: CD for Crosspicking Mandolin Book?
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 11:53:55 -0400

Hi Mickey,
I purchased the Mel Bay Mandolin Crosspicking Technique book some time ago. However, I think it would be a huge help if there was a CD, or even better, a DVD to go along with it. Is there a CD or DVD, and can you tell me how much it is?

Thanks,

Linda

Greetings Linda,

Thanks for the idea...yes, we've considered it before and had plans for this...however, we'll have to wait until we finish our audio studio...which we hope will be soon.

Let me know if you have further questions on the Crosspicking Mando book. I'd be happy to assist you personally in your learning journey. Mickey

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Subject: Crosspicking Mandolin Book
Date: Sat, 11 May 2002 17:12:06 -0500

Dear Mickey
I have purchased the crosspicking book from you and I am bogged down. I have practiced all the exercises over to the first song Wildwood Flower. I can play that song by ear but I can't make the tune sound right as it is written on page 34 of the book. I can't play that fast but even slow I can't get the tune from the notes. What do you suggest? I would love to crosspick a mandolin the way some folks do.
Vernon

Greetings Vernon,

Glad to assist if I can...thanks for buying my book...

To separate the melody from the fill notes, you'll want to first determine where the melody falls. Once you've determined where the melody notes are within the crosspicking arrangement, these will be the notes that you'll want to accent. In other words, you'll want to know how to determine which are the melody notes and which are the harmony notes in all of your future crosspicking arrangements. Then, while playing the arrangement, put emphasis (accent) on the melody notes, and play the fill notes (the notes that are in between the melody) with a softer attack. This will assist you in making the melody stand out while the supporting notes will harmonize the melody.

Ultimately, I'll need to work on finishing up the accompanying CD for the book. This will give you a listening reference for every tune in the book. My current dilemma is finding the time to do this...so, please stay tuned on our website for future updates...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

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Subject: Mid-Mo #4 v. #11
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 11:34:36 -0500

Hello Mickey,

More info on the Cross-picking Technique book.

Thanks for your considerable help.

Donee Wyke

Greetings Donee,

The Crosspicking Mandolin Technique book is a comprehensive methodology book that focuses on exercises that will assist you in developing technique in a stair-step fashion. I believe it works well for the stark beginner to the advanced mandolinist looking for new angles...it covers many facets of playing mandolin and especially assists in learning chordal harmony with arpeggiated rhythms...which is a framework that delineates all styles of music. It's a book that focuses on developing technique first and foremost.

Mickey