Octave Mandolin for Left-Handed Musicians...lefty conversion

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Delivered-To: folkwood@oberon.zianet.com
Delivered-To: alias-filterme-info@folkofthewood.com
Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 16:06:25 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
Subject: Lefty Mandolin interchangable?

Hello,

Greetings Andrew,

I'm thinking about starting to learn either guitar or mandolin...but I'm a lefty.
I'll be in college soon and need something electric so I can wear ear phones and not disturb the neighbors if you know what I mean.
A) Can I buy an Octave Mandolin for a righty and swap it to lefty with any problems? do you know any one that sells a lefty or a righty electric?

Yes, we've converted these many times...fortunately, most flat style octaves do not have pickguards...all that's involved is reversing the nut and the bridge...along with the strings...we perform this conversion for 30.00...as far as electric octaves go, I'm not sure what's available...we also install pick-up systems in flat style octaves which may be of interest to you...on another note, I'm a lefty who learned to play as a right-hander...

B) Should I learn guitar first to play mandolin? Or should I learn mandolin to play guitar? Which would be easier.

The mandolin, whether octave or standard, is quite a bit easier to learn...even so, both are difficult to master...mandolin is easier because the fifths are more natural intervals to learn melodies on...and the open chording only requires two fingers for most chords...I've taught stark beginners how to play their first chord progression within 20-30 minutes...

Oh yea, in the movie captain corelli's mandolin, what style of mandolin is he using? And what type or style of music does he play in that movie.

I haven't had the honor of seeing this movie to date...I'm hoping to buy the DVD soon...thanks for the reminder. I've been asked this very same question many times now...

Let me know how else I might assist...Mickey

Thanks so much

Andrew