Mandolin for Violinists or Fiddlers Learning to Play Mandolin from a Violin or Fiddle Perspective

Subject: Mandolin and Violin
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2004 17:48:52 -0700

I have played the violin for most of my life having started lessons at age 3.

Lucky you!!! I started in 5th grade and then, had put it down and didn't start back until much later...

I am classically trained but have been trying to learn Celtic tunes lately due to marrying into an Irish family. The problem is that the fiddle is not that conducive to singalongs. My wife wants me to learn the guitar but I have struggled when I have picked them up before because I have small arms, hands and fingers. I expect that the mandolin would be much simpler for me due to the stringing.

Yes, and you won't have to relearn the fingerboard language...the mandolin is essentially a violin handled with a different medium...yes, due to the picking hand, as opposed to the bowing hand, there are some new mechanics to learn...even so, it would be quite a bit easier transition for a violinist to pick up the mandolin over and above any other fretted instrument...additionally, due to the bowing mechanics, a mandolinist usually has a harder time transitioning to the the violin.

All fiddle players pluck along on their violins when fooling around although I realize that the frets complicate this. My question is as to whether the mandolin is conducive to the playing of simple Irish type songs that can be sung along to, similar to a guitar?

Yes...I've done this many times...and have successfully played the mandolin as a solo instrument within a performing situation...there are some things to consider when playing mandolin solo, such as, staying with the open-position chords allows for the lowest end bass to resound....especially if backing up your voice...you might also consider playing the crosspicking approach or fingerstyle mandolin...this adds harmonic support to the instruments lead lines...

You can hear examples of this in our video sampler section:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm

Let me know if you have any further questions...Mickey

Thanks for your help.