Mandolin: On Learning to Play with a Handicap

Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 10:24:57 -0600
Subject: Re: 1st mandolin purchase

Hi Mickey!
I've written you before (and purchased your Intro to Mandolin DVD), but I don't expect you to remember my issues, so forgive me if I repeat myself. I'm getting close to making my purchase, but I have several questions to help me narrow down my selection further. I will be a beginner on mandolin, but I have been playing flute for over 35 years. This has led to a very slight case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I also have a right shoulder injury (overuse) that is sometimes aggravated by holding my right arm out or raising my shoulder (Hmm, like playing flute). I was going to learn guitar, but reaching around the instrument was uncomfortable, hence my search for a mandolin.

Sure ... I remember something about your situation. I happen to have a close friend who's a flautist and she's having the same shoulder issues you are having. Odd?

I have heard that a radiused fingerboard is gentler on the wrist. Is this more true for players who play/perform for long hours or would it also be appropriate for a beginner with physical issues like mine?

It definitely applies to long hours of playing ... and alleviates some stress on the hands over time. I'm not too sure about helping issues such as you're having; however, I suspect it may just help.

I do not plan to practice for long periods of time in the beginning. I'll need to work up to that. I do plan to play in church, which means one to three short performances about 5 minutes each. Since I am a beginner and have never played on a radiused fingerboard, do you think I would really notice the benefits? If I choose an instrument with a radiused fingerboard, what type of capo will I need?

I believe the Shubb capo would work fine ... however, on a mandolin, it's really not necessary to use a capo. Most all keys and songs are easily achieved on mandolin at least as compared to guitar. Traditional players on mandolin never ever use a capo.

In looking through the descriptions of different mandolins, the dovetail joint of neck to body occurs at different frets--some on the 12th, some on the 14th or 15th. Does this contribute to the overall length of the instrument? I'm looking for something small and manageable.

All mandolins are small and manageable. A longer scale length, from bridge to nut, is not going to affect your ability to reach chords or melodies as a beginner.

I have narrowed my selection down to an A-style with F holes. I am looking for a versatile mandolin to play all types of music, including folk, classical, gospel and bluegrass. I also thought the A-style would be more comfortable to hold, without all those sharp angles.

Sounds like you're right on track ...

On the website www.folkmusician.com, I found several instruments I am considering. Hopefully, you can help me narrow my search a little further.
Kentucky KM-150s (Joined at 12th fret)
Kentucky KM-160 (Joined at 12th fret)
Kentucky KM-162 (Joined at 12th fret)
Michael Kelly MK-AS (Grover tuners)
Kentucky KM-254 (Radiused fingerboard, joined at 14th fret)
Kentucky KM-505 (Artist line, radiused fingerboard, joined at 15th fret, ebony bridge and fingerboard)

For me, it would be a toss up between the KM-505 and the MK-AS ... both are a great value ... and, if I could afford the KM-505 above the MK, I'd probably go with it ...

Would you say the overall length of these instruments is about the same?

Scale length may vary slightly between all of these ... again, it should not affect your ability to learn..

Should I be concerned about the types of tuners (Gotoh or Grover)?

Not necessarily ... although, I personally like Grover tuners.

Will they hold their pitch reasonably well?

With the proper set-up, right strings and bridge intonation, most definitely.

Have you heard of the above website?

Yes ... however, I do not know anything really about them ... they seem fair to me.

Is there one you would recommend more? They do seem to have excellent set-up.

Yes ... the KM-505 judging by the feature list ... unfortunately, I haven't seen one in person so you'll still need to do some research on these with others who own them.

Thanks for your help Mickey. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Janine Tramp
Crofton, NE

Glad to help,

Mickey Cochran

Folk of the Wood
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.folkofthewood.com

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Subject: Update for Mickey
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 22:47:50 -0500

Dear Mickey,

Just wanted to update you on my progress and ask a question. If you remember, I am the guy that was seriously injured in an accident that crushed my left arm.

Progress is going really slow but I'm not giving up.

Good for you!

I have found that because I can't hold my arm up on it's own, I tend to use the neck of my mandolin for support which makes it hard to move up and down the neck freely, but I'm working on it. It's a little disappointing but I love the Mandolin and if I can master just one song it's all worth it.

If you can master one, many more will be easy to learn.

Your video is a great help and I see the DVD is available now so I will be calling James to take you up on the half price offer. Now for my question. What strings would you recommend for the Dragonfly Flame?

I was using the Gibson Bill Monroe set, but I didn't care for the sound I was getting and they seemed really hard the fret. Is there a set that would give me the Bluegrass sound that I love and be a little easier on the fingers?
Thanks so much for all your support,
John Benedict
"Live for today, for yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never be."

In your case, I'd recommend the GHS Light Gauge mandolin strings...the Bill Monroe set is a heavier gauge. These should still offer a bluegrass sound...set up is also critical on your mandolin to ensure ease of playability. Mickey

Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 22:35:05 EST
Subject: Handicapped wannabe mandolin player

I just purchased a Johnson MF-100 Mandolin. I would love to learn how to play the thing but I have a handicap. My right hand was amputated at the wrist. I have tried to make me a pick by using a piece of plastic wrapped around my wristbut it was about an inch and a half too short. Could you maybe give me an idea on how to get a pick that would work because I would really like to learn how to play this thing.

Thanks, Joe M R.
Rockfield KY

Greetings Joe,

This does pose a problem...and, more than likely, a personal instructor may be your best option.

You might other pick configurations...such as a thumbpick or fingerpick...not sure about how this would fit without seeing your hand in person. Maybe there's a way that you can use a wristband with the pick attached. How about a watchband with the flatpick embedded within the metal bands...

Let me know if you find a solution...we have other readers that would like to know their options.

Mickey

Subject: Mandolin for weak hands
Date: Sat, 29 May 2004 17:44:25 -0500

I'm coming back to you since you steered me in the right direction on my
Paul Beard reso purchase last summer.

Greetings Jeffery...good to hear from you again...

I have weakened hands due to myasthenia gravis. Thus, the mandolin will
take the place of conventional guitar for me. I am interested in buying
a decent mandolin with very good action as my fingers are somewhat weak.
I need your advice.

This would be more dependent on the set-up than the mandolin itself...hence, you can pretty much pick any mandolin you'd like, and we can set it up with an extremely low action for ease of playability. We would also install extra light gauge strings....

Should I get a 4-string electric as I will only be pushing down one
string instead of two?

This would be slightly easier to play...only, it will take away from the character of a mandolin...the 4-string electrics sound more like an electric guitar played past the 12th fret than they do a mandolin...hence, if you're looking for the mandolin voicing, my suggestion would be to stick to the traditional mandolin.

If the effort is about the same for 4-string and
8-string mandolins, which of the 8-string mandolins has the best action
(action takes priority over sound in my case).

Again, this is really dependent on our set-up process...you're welcome to discuss this with Tradd, our in-house mandolin expert and luthier...you can work with him directly on the set-up to ensure it suits your needs...call Tradd @ ...

There are many great imports available and, of course, many excellent American makes...you might also consider finding a mandolin with a radiused fingerboard...which would be more ergonomically friendly for your weakened hands...

Also, are there mandolin reviews anywhere out there on the web? This is
a whole different ball game compared to guitars!

The only reviews I know of are the ones I put together on our website under the FAQ section...where we compare mandolin to mandolin side by side...

Mickey

Thanks!!

Jeffery Smith

Subject: RE: Fwd: Mandolin for weak hands
Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 08:39:18 -0500

Mickey,

As always, you've been very helpful. I'll give them a call in the
morning and get something set up for my particular situation. I cannot
imagine buying a guitar, mandolin, or other folk instrument from anyone
other than FOTW. Your service before, during, and after the sale is
fabulous.

Jeffery Smith
New Orleans, LA