Date: Sat, 11 May 2002 20:20:10 EDT

Gentlemen
I am interested in purchasing a Mondolin but know very little about the
instrument.
I would be very greatful if the foll. can be explained.
(1)--The difference between playing Bluegrass style music and Italian Street
style music.
(2)--Will an instrument with f-holes suit both styles of playing?
(3)I saw on the internet two brands---Fenders and Rogue ---both on sale for
about $200.--will any of these be recommended to me as I am now hoping to
learn?
I do hope that I have not asked any silly questions and will be glad to
receive any answers and comments that you think would help me.
Thanking you .
Cedric Harris
Cedricharris@Hotmail.com.

Greetings Cedric,

Glad to assist if I can:

(1)--The difference between playing Bluegrass style music and Italian Street
style music.

There is a major difference between these two styles of music. The attack, the medium, the tonal qualities attained and even the back-up approach. Bluegrass mandolin is approached with a high energy with a solid picking attack. Italian mandolin is approached with a delicate attack and falls back on a lot of tremolo technique (tremolo is where a succession of notes is played to recreate a simulated sustain effect). I enjoy both styles and have studied Italian technique as applied to many standards. I believe you can learn more from studying a variety of styles than from only one...even so, every style of mandolin music can be a lifetime study in and of itself.

(2)--Will an instrument with f-holes suit both styles of playing?

Most definitely. No doubt, you can hold to Italian tradition by playing an oval hole round back mandolin; these have a softer tone and lend themselves well to traditional European music. However, a flat back f soundhole mandolin can be played effectively within many different styles of music. If you were to purchase only one mandolin, the flat back f soundhole model, with an archtop, would be the most versatile.

(3)I saw on the internet two brands---Fenders and Rogue ---both on sale for
about $200.--will any of these be recommended to me as I am now hoping to
learn?

I cannot recommend the Rogue... They are limited in many respects and serve only as a low level student model. The only consolation: we offer a full trade-up value which can allow the beginner to upgrade at a later date from a Rogue...I would say the Fender would be slightly better than the Rogue...depending on the model. Some more expensive Fenders are far better than the Rogue...as would be true of many other import brands such as: Kentucky, Epiphone, Gold Tone, Johnson and Morgan Monroe. You might also consider finding a used beginner Kentucky mandolin on Ebay...Additionally, if you do purchase a Rogue or a Fender, or any other make for that matter, be sure that the seller sets the mandolin up with a low action for ease of playability. Otherwise, you'll become frustrated during the learning process and more than likely become discouraged from playing your new mandolin daily...

Hope the above helps in some way, Mickey