Which Acoustic Instrument to Learn: Mandolin vs Guitar

Subject: Mandolin
Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 15:26:38 -0400

I play the drums and want to start playing an instrument that is a little more convient to use. I have never played a string instrument before. I am set on learning how to play the mandolin. Would you say the mandolin would be easier to learn than the guitar? I noticed on the mandolin there are four groups of two string. When using playing the mandolin would you strum each individual string or the pair of strings.?

Greetings,

Glad to assist...

Yes, I believe the mandolin to be quite a bit easier to learn than the guitar...when first starting out on mandolin, you'll find the two-note chords easy to find and accomplish...guitar seems to require more stretch for the stark beginner...you'll find informative threads on this at our FAQ section linked from below...

On the mandolin, yes, you would be playing the pair of strings on each down and up stroke...they are designed to give the mandolin its character...similar to a 12-string guitar...so, you would never attempt to play each individual string...it truly is a fun and easy instrument to play; and, yes, it is as difficult to master as most any other string instrument...with your rhythm background you will accelerate rapidly as compared to the average beginner. Interestingly, the mandolin is considered the percussive instrument in a bluegrass band...it's the one instrument, outside of the string bass, that drives a bluegrass band rhythmically...Mickey

Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 22:46:31 -0600
Subject: nylon acoustic guitar

Greetings Rich,

Glad to assist:

I'm very interested in the nylon acoustic (epiphone) and the mandolins (johnson
or epiphone). Which would you suggest for a beginner, an old beginner at that
(36). My thinking was that the nylon guitar would have a wider fretboard, the
better to fret with.

Yes, if taking up guitar, you'll find the wider fretboard easier to work with...and the nylon strings do not require the same callous build-up that steel strings do...guitar is the most versatile instrument...hence, if you're looking to play lots of solo music in a variety of styles, guitar may serve you well. The nylon string guitar wouldn't be as versatile as a steel string guitar...

My thinking on the mandolin came from your numerous
comments on the FAQ page about it being a more simple instrument to play.

I believe the mandolin is even easier to learn to play than a nylon-string guitar...however, it will not be the solo instrument of a guitar...it would serve well in learning to play single line melodies and be contributory to a jam session full of guitars (which most jam sessions have too many guitars)...(we also cover the possibilities of playing mandolin as a solo instrument on our FAQ pages...within the crosspicking and fingerpicking mediums)

I await your advice before purchasing either. I have one of each picked out on
your website. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks so much for your great website and great customer service.
rich

I hope something here has been of assistance to you...Mickey

Rich Gatlin, RPh, FACA