Mandola: On Learning to Play

Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 01:45:15 -0500
Subject: Weber Bridger Mandola (used)

Greetings:

Greetings Brad,

Assuming it's still available, I have some questions about the Bridger and about mandolas/octaves in general. I'll keep things succinct and would appreciate your input when you get an opportunity.

For delivery and availability on all used instruments (or new) for Webers, you'll want to call James (our sales manager), call him toll free at ...

I play the tenor guitar (CGDA)--mostly self-taught: jazz, dixieland, folk, some ragtime--and am interested in broadening my horizons. The mandola seems natural as its tuning/fingering are familiar while the scale is shorter (which my short fingers might appreciate!); yet, the scale of an octave is closer to what I'm used to but its GDAE tuning would require learning new, though related, inversions (not necessarily a bad thing, just a less smooth transition). Truth be told, I've never been too enamored of the mandolin (too bright to my ears), though the octave is pleasing and I love the sound of the Bridger mandola in Sebie's able hands.

Yes, the mandola is an easy transition from the tenor in the same tuning (CGDA)...other than a shorter scale length...if you like the sound of the Bridger Mandola, my suggestion would be to consider it first...Octaves will have the same fifth intervals, and yes, the scale length would be comfortable for you, and if you can get used to transposing in a fourth on all chords played, you might find the octave to your liking...now, on the mandola, you'll have a tonality that falls between the octave and the mandolin, giving you more of a lead instrument voicing...which I suspect is what you're looking for in your next instrument. And, as you can hear, Sebie can sure make it sing even as a solo instrument.

As the same photos accompany the Bridger mandola info page, I assume this mandola's been at or around FOTW for a while. As it's described in "like new" condition, I assume this is still accurately portrayed by the older photos. I am curious about the condition of the tailpiece as it appears digitally retouched. I assume it's corrected to hide a distracting reflection/flare or it's merely an artifact (or I'm utterly mistaken!)

I'm sure it's only an artifact...we wouldn't digitally retouch a used instrument photo except for dust...

, but I wanted to ask. Speaking of which, do you stock other Weber tailpieces (the cast 'W') if I wanted to replace the universal?

Yes, we can get the "W" Tailpiece from Weber at anytime.

What do you think about Weber's armrest/integral tailpiece, and are they sized appropriately for the mandola?

I haven't tried one myself...you might want to get in contact with Weber and ask them yourself...about who uses one and are they sized accordingly for the mandola.

I assume residual harmonics are not so regularly problematic as to warrant, outside a recording environment, the employment of their "wood nymph," though it's a nice looking dampener; what do you think?

I believe it's a subtle difference...it does look cool...

Also, could you install a second strap button at the heel cap, or would you suggest a string tie above the nut?

Strap buttons are the only way to go...tieing on a strap at the peghead can be obtrusive to your playing efforts...

I read the tone bar/modified X-bracing "discussion" on your FAQs page(s), but admit to being confused still. The follow-up postings seemed to lean heavily to tone bars, but I got the impression most were describing their superiority (merits) relative to the mandolin and not the mandolas/octaves. Mickey, though, seemed sold on the X-bracing for these larger bodied instruments; no?

Yes, I personally prefer the "X" bracing...and have two Webers, both a mandola and an octave, with "X" bracing...they have a dark throaty voicing and I'm completely thrilled and in awe every time I play one...

As I mentioned, I like the lower register of the mandola/octave and would be willing to sacrifice some of the highs the tone bars might accentuate as long as the X-bracing provided adequate support to the top over a long period of time. Still, the Bridger sounded nicely balanced to my ears--at least with Sebie at the helm. Anything you might add to help clarify this for me would be appreciated. By the by, what's FOTW's price on a new Hyalite mandola? I like the simplicity and f-holes (and its "chocoburst" finish), but it seems silly to pass up the Bridger given your great price.

Finally, I'm curious about some of Mickey's instructional materials to facilitate my transition (or simply expand my style on the tenor). It seems like the "Intro. to Mandola" would be good (is it--or will it--be available on dvd?) as would his "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" book (I heard mention of an accompanying CD, true?). Any word on when the "Fingerpicking Mandolin" VHS (dvd?) will be available, and whether a mandola technique book is still in the works?

Wow! You've done your research! The "Intro to Mandola" will eventually be offered on DVD...only it's taking quite awhile to get the encoding down...so we expect these to be done by the middle of the year or so...yes, there's an accompanying CD scheduled with Mel Bay on the "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" book...only, again, it's a matter of time (approx 3 months or so)..."Fingerpicking Mandolin" VHS is due out within 2-3 months...and, yes, a Mandola Technique book is in the works...however, as you can see by all the other works awaiting delivery, this one will be about 1 year out...I did finally include Mandola and Octave Lessons on our website: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3

I'm pretty sold on the Bridger given all the fine resources available on your web site (kudos!) and I'll make a final decision after I hear back from you. If the Bridger's gone, I'd still appreciate your response to my more general inquiries; if it is available, I'll get back to you immediately after I review your reply. Granted, it's a terrific price (and, I surmise, relatively recently reduced), but I am wondering what the chances of a "package deal" on the Bridger are if I were to add accessories (strap button, tailpiece (armrest?), additional string sets), VHS (dvd), crosspicking book, shipping, &c.

James, our sales manager, does put together all of our package deals...you're welcome to e-mail him, or call him, your choice...

Grateful for all your assistance and feel free to call should this seem simpler. --Brad

And, thank you for your interest...keep on pickin', Mickey

Subject: Mandola
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 22:09:29 -0000

Hi Mickey....again!

Greetings Rosalind,

Thank you for your thoughtful answers to my previous questions but I just have a few more queries.

You're most welcome...glad to assist further...

1. Which clef is the mandola mainly played in?The cello is played in base.

The Mandola still falls within the treble clef...

2.Are mandolas fairly easy to get hold of?

Most definitely...especially in England...you should not have a problem finding a good quality one to learn on...

3. You mentioned the mandocello. Is this in the base clef?Are they rare to come accross?

The mandocello has the same relative tonal range as a cello...and therefore, falls within the bass clef...

4.How long do you think it would take me to ajust to a mandola?

This depends on your own aptitude and especially, on your desire to learn mandola...you should find that some skills you possess on cello should be easily transferred to mandola...however, it's still a completely different instrument and would require some devoted practice to become proficient...

5.Is the mandola more simila to a viola?

Yes...the mandola parallels the viola in relative scale length and tonal range...

6. I also notice that the mandolin is equil to a violin and
the mandola is equil to a viola so would my best option be to learn the mandocello?

Not necessarily...if you're looking for a lower voicing, such as the cello, then yes, the mandocello would fit you very well. However, a lot depends on what you hope to achieve with your newfound instrument of choice. If you want to play more melody oriented material...as opposed to supporting higher end instruments, maybe the mandola would be a better choice.

7. Would learning a mandola be like learning a viola but with a different way of holding it?

In some ways...you'll find the patterns to be relative...however, you will be wielding a pick instead of a bow...and, you'll have to get accustomed to a fretted instrument instead of a non-fretted instrument

Sorry about all the questions!
Rosalind

Hope something here has been of help to you...Mickey

Subject: Is the mandola the same as the cello?
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 14:29:50 -0000

Hello Mickey!

Greetings Rosalind,

I am a cellest and i want to learn the mandola. I have already found out that the mandolin is the same tuning and fingering as the violin, but is the mandola the same as the cello?

The mandola is tuned the same as a viola: C G D A...the mandolin family instrument that parallels the cello would be the mandocello. Essentially, you're looking at one octave difference only...meaning that the intervals from note will be the same only one octave higher.

For example would I just be able to pick up a mandolin and play a cello piece with no ajustments to fingering?

As long as you become accustomed to the scale differences between notes, and familiarize yourself with fret positions, yes, it would be essentially the same patterns. The mandocello would come closer to the same scale length and may feel quite a bit more comfortable if you want a straight across transition.

And if there were adjustments would i be able to get used to them easily?

That's hard to estimate by e-mail. There are other mechanics to consider such as the new angle you will be playing at along with wielding a pick instead of a cello bow...

Is the mandola in the treble clef like the cello?

Yes, it would fall within the treble clef...only, you'll be thinking in one octave higher...

i am asking all these questions because i want to be in the folk band at school and play somthing to a reasonably high standard.
I hope you can answer all my questions!

I hope something here has helped you out...Mickey

From Rosalind