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"Intro to the Mandolin"
An Introduction to the Mandolin DVD:
$34.95
DVD Format
Recorded in High Fidelity Digital
Approx. 2 Hours & 20 Minutes in Length
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Copyright ®2004 Mickey Cochran
NEW! Instructional Video for Mandolin
"Intro to the Mandolin" DVD
by Mickey Cochran
This video displays a unique approach to learning mandolin. The focus is on form and proper technique...yet, this video also discusses proper mandolin set-up for ease of playability. Know all the features of your mandolin along with its construction...realize the importance of proper bridge placement so that your mandolin plays in tune all the way up the neck.. Learn more about action and its contribution to ensure ease of playability...and, how to adjust action to fit your playing style.
LEARNING TO PLAY MANDOLIN SHOULD BE FUN AND EASY! THIS VIDEO PROVES THIS TO BE TRUE.
If you're picking up the mandolin for the first time, here's the answer! A video to lead you by the hand through all of the preliminaries of basic mandolin technique leading you up to an intermediate level. Learn all about chording, rhythm, scales and playing leads.
This video focuses on good form such as proper left and right-hand techniques that establish proper technique. Learn good habits from the start...which will make you a better mandolinist in the future. Don't limit your playing capabilities by acquiring pooer habits.
A video instructional is the next best thing to having a personal instructor. You can play back sections of the video untiol you're completely comfortable with each stair-stepped lesson. In other words, you can ask the video instructor to repeat a phrase or a discussion of technique as many times as you deem necessary to ensure that you've completely learned the lesson before moving on.
Plenty of chapters that cover every facet of mandolin playing for the complete beginner:
Proper Left-Hand Positioning
Proper Right-Hand Positioning
Flatpicking Direction
The Many Ways to Tune Your Mandolin
Tuning Tools
Learning Your First Melodies
Exercises to Build Solid Technique
Many Melodies to Further Technique
Overview
This video's objective is to offer the complete beginner an easier approach to learning to play the mandolin. In other words, it's the least painful approach to learning to play. This video bypasses the normal frustrations encountered within the learning process. This is not a video that progresses too quickly...it offers a step-by-step approach to ensure that you're gaining proper technique, and a solid foundation, before going on to tackle more difficult exercises and melodies.
Chord Positions
All basic Chord positions within the four most common keys of G, C, D and A are visually presented. Upon learning these chords, you'll learn to combine these easy chord positions to rhythm techniques of your picking hand. How to strum in time so that you're better able to play back-up to vocalists and other lead instrument players. This rhythm technique will also assist you with your timing so that you're better able to play melodies. Most of these chords only require two fingers to play...and with your mandolin properly tuned, which is taught in earlier chapters, you will find yourself sounding like a pro simply strumming these chords in time.
A Methodology
Additionally, this video introduces exercises that make the learning process far less frustrating. By the time you've accomplished the exercises, melodies become far easier to tackle. Basic exercises and advanced exercises are introduced throughout the video establishing a strong foundation for learning many other melodies on your own. A methodology approach focuses on building technique first and playing melodies later. Learn the basic building blocks of playing before attempting to play over your head. You'll find the learning process fun and easy if approached by this stair-step process. Additionally, a methodology approach focuses on technique so that you've gained proper facility as you grow into an accomplished master of the mandolin.
A Mandolin Introduction
If you're seriously considering taking up the mandolin, but are not completely sure, this video is a great introduction...it reveals the many possibilities of what a mandolin can do...Many think of the mandolin as a Bluegrass instrument...the mandolin truly does serve well within Bluegrass settings... This video will convince you to pick up the mandolin and inspire you to practice everyday...so, if you want, view the video first before buying your mandolin. Upon being inspired by the video, you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting your new mandolin to arrive so that you can try out the techniques displayed on the video.
For Further Study
Other works by Mickey Cochran include the following:
"Intro to the Octave Mandolin" Video
by Mickey Cochran
Be sure to check out our newest release: "Intro to the Octave Mandolin" DVD.
"Intro to the Mandola" Video
by Mickey Cochran
Be sure to check out our newest release: "Intro to the Mandola" DVD.
Check out Mickey Cochran's "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" Book!
Click on the Book for further Description
Be sure to check out our Mandolin Crosspicking Technique Book. Many of the lessons you see here are a small sampling of what's published extensively. Purchase this book through our website and receive an autographed copy!
Go to Order form.
Check out Mickey Cochran's "Guitar Crosspicking Technique" Book!
Click on the Book for further Description
Be sure to check out our Guitar Crosspicking Technique Book. Many of the lessons you see here are a small sampling of what's published extensively and what will be published in the near future by Mel Bay Publications. Click on the following link for further info.
Crosspicking Guitar Book Info
Contact Mel Bay Publications for further info:
Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
4 Industrial Drive
P. O. Box 66
Pacific, MO 63069-0066
E-mail us at @melbay.com
1-800-8-MEL BAY (1-800-863-5229) or 636-257-3970
Fax: 636-257-5062
http://www.melbay.com/
NEW! Instructional Video for Mandolin."Intro to the Mandolin" DVD
by Mickey Cochran
Click on images for magnified views:
Published by:
Wisdom of the Wood
ENTIRE TABLE OF CONTENTS for "Intro to the Mandolin" DVD only:
A Complete Introductory Course in Learning How to Play Mandolin
Introductory Tune: "Opus in Dm"
by Mickey Cochran
Introduction
A. An Orientation
B. A Methodology Approach
C. Importance of a Strong Foundation
Chapter 1
A. A Brief History of the Mandolin
B. The Parts of a Mandolin
C. Construction of a Mandolin
D. Importance of Proper Set-Up
C. Bridge Placement
How to Adjust for Proper Intonation
D. String Action
How to Adjust for Proper String Height
Chapter 2
A. Gauge of Strings
B. Choice of Picks
C. Mandolin Straps
D. Learning Materials for Mandolin
Chapter 3
A. Tuning Tools: The Electronic Tuner
B. Tuning Your Mandolin
Tuning up to the video.
C. How to tune relative to the mandolin.
Chapter 4
A. Proper Right-Hand Position
B. Your First Right-Hand Exercise
C. Proper Left-Hand Position
D. Your First Left-Hand Exercise
Chapter 5
A. Chords: Key of G
Learn your first chord progression.
B. Rhythm Techniques
Combining rhythm with your first chords.
C. 4/4 Rhythm
D. 3/4 Rhythm (Waltz Time)
E. Chords: Key of C
Learn your second chord progression.
F. Chords: Key of D
Learn your third chord progression.
F. Chords: Key of A
Learn your fourth chord progression.
Chapter 6
Advanced Right-Hand Exercises
A. Chord Arpeggios
B. Crosspicking Exercise
C. Tremelo Exercises
Chapter 7
Advanced Left-Hand Exercises
A. Hammer-Ons
B. Pull-Offs
C. Slides
D. Combining Left-Hand Exercises
Chapter 8
Scale Studies
A. The G Scale
B. The C Scale
C. The D Scale
D. The A Scale
Chapter 9
First Melodies
A. Dixie
B. Shenandoah
C. Beethoven's Ninth
Chapter 10
Fiddle Tune Style
A. Arkansas Traveler
B. Soldier's Joy
C. Devil's Dream
Chapter 11
Shuffle Rhythms
A. Old Joe Clark
B. Boil Them Cabbage Down
C. Crosspicking
In Conclusion
A. Where do you go from here?
B. Practice Road Maps
C. Keep a list of your exercises and tunes.
D. What to listen to?
E. Bracket your practice time.
Produced in Association with Breedlove Guitar Company
19885 8th Street
Tumalo, OR 97701
541-385-8339 website: www.breedloveguitars.com
Excerpt from Chapter I: The Mandolin A Brief History:
The Mandolin has been around, as an 8-string instrument, in its current configuration, for approximately 400 years. It’s a direct descendent of the Mandola which is a descendent of the lute. The Mandola has a longer scale length than mandolin and is tuned 1/5th lower as GCDA from low to high. In fact, the mandolin’s name is derived from its shape similar to an almond. The Italian term Mandorla translates to almond in English. The mandolin has gone through various phases of popularity and has been effectively incorporated into many genres of popular music today including: rock, jazz, ragtime, classical...and is heard most commonly in Country and Bluegrass settings. I encourage you to explore a variety of styles of music with your mandolin. To learn from all styles of music will only make you that much more rounded; therefore, keep an open mind and explore as many venues as you can. This can only increase your musical perspective and, more importantly, will increase your facility on the mandolin.
Excerpts from In Conclusion:
Where to go from here?
Let your musical taste lead you...try to stay inspired by practicing daily...don’t become discouraged by attempting to play over your head. Take your time and play at your level until you feel confident about moving on to more difficult pieces.
Other Technique Builders
You’ll want to be increasing your technique daily. Try to keep a list of exercises and tunes that you already know. Play them all daily without reserve. This will keep you familiar with what you’ve already learned and only increase your technique on the mandolin...
What to Listen To
I’d like to encourage you to purchase as many mandolin recordings as you can get your hands on...keep a discography of all of your recordings which should include the mandolinist’s name and the name of each tune played by the artist.
Some artists that I’d recommend listening to include:
Ricky Skaggs
Norman Blake as a guitarist and a mandolinist
Bill Monroe
Red Rector
Jimmy Guadreau
Doyle Lawson
Sam Bush
Chris Thile
and One of my all-time favorites: David Grisman
The Importance of a Focused Practice
Continuing Your Mandolin Journey
The Importance of a Focused Practice
What is a focused practice?
1. you’ll want to bracket time daily to your practice schedule. If you can’t afford more than 1-2 hours, at the very least set aside 30 minutes daily unconditionally.
2. be sure to have a road map to practice with...something that will keep you on track and allow you to measure your progress...this can mean having a particular piece of sheet music in front of you and or a video to play along with that will keep you focused on a particular technique or tune you’re trying to accomplish.
3. keep a practice journal with you that should include what you’ve accomplished...a list of scales and exercises...a songlist including every tune you’ve learned...and your future goals as an entirely separate chapter.
In Continuing Your Mandolin Journey
I hope you find this video to be fun and inspiring. It should only be one addition to your very own larger library of books and videos. I urge you to start amassing your own library of anything mandolin related including, songbooks, method books, videos and CDs...be sure to check with melbay.com for many other mandolin learning materials...
In closing, I’d like to say one more thing: Your mandolin journey is uniquely yours...no two mandolinists in history have ever played exactly alike. Everyone’s an individual within any art form...and as a mandolinist, be yourself, listen to your own sojourn...even though you may follow the path of other mandolinists by learning their arrangements and techniques, feel free to explore from your vantage point as a unique individual. This way, you will discover your very own path through your mandolin explorations and ultimately find your own style and approach...it’s easy to be easy when you’re easy!
Copyright ®2004 Mickey Cochran?
All rights are reserved on this video for all audio files, all tunes,
all photography and all videography.
Please enquire if interested in reproducing this video for review...
and, thank you kindly for not reproducing without permission from the author.
Keep on Pickin', Mickey Cochran
Videography: Alex Kinnan
Production/Design: Mickey Cochran
Testimonials:
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 07:50:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Thanks
Ordered a Michael Kelly Mandolin from you folks several months ago. I can't begin to tell you the enjoyment and attachment I've developed for this instrument. Thanks for all you help in explaining to me about the different features, price ranges, and available help from your store and website. Your beginning tape (Introduction to the Mandolin) is heads above anything I've found and your obvious "treat the customer right and they shall return" policy is not to be found anywhere else that I can find...Thanks again for all your contributions to us beginners and having such a great Company. Their hard to find in today's world of hurry up and wait. Keep up the good work. Russ/Wichita Ks
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 06:59:49 -0800 (PST)
Living in Wichita KS, we have 6 or 7 music shops here, one of which is very large that supports all kinds of musical instruments, equipment, and trained lutheirs for working on them. In visiting with all of them at one time or another, and searching for mandolin instructional videos and books, I noticed they do not carry any of yours. After seeing the video that I purchased from you when I got my mandolin, they and several instructors have expressed an interest in where I got it.
They would have a few books on the Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo, etc, but
none of the quality and teaching length that yours seem to have. Videos
like the one I bought of yours are non existant. Russ
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 15:23:18 EDT
Subject: Re: michael kelly guitar co.
hello tradd....i received my mandolin on friday....i can't stop practacing on it!!!!!! the video from mickey is excellent, i wish i could take lessons from him personally. anyway i have musical experience, i play the tenor banjo, so its just a matter of making the transition over to the mando. i totally fell in love with the mandolin a few years ago and finally took the plunge!!! it was an absolute pleasure talking with you, i could tell that you're nice folks at folkofthewood. i do have friends also interested in purchasing a mandolin and i already steered them in your direction......thanks again...see ya when i upgrade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subject: back up mandolin
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 13:34:33 +0900
Dear Folk of the Wood,
I have to say the introduction to mandolin video has been very helpful in getting me started on mandolin. I haven't done much with the crosspicking book yet, but once I dive into that I'm sure it will pay huge dividends.
PS. Will there be an intermediate instruction video some time?
Neal
Greetings Neal...
I'm glad to assist:
Instructional Videos:
I'd love to continue on with an intermediate and advanced video on mandolin...and, I appreciate your interest in wanting to pursue your studies further under Wisdom of the Wood's guidance...
There are other mando videos in the works...one is an overall technique video that discusses all of the different possible applications of mandolin...and the many potential mediums...demonstrating split string technique, crosspicking, fingerpicking, the bluegrass chop, tremolo, bends, slides, hammer-ons...and so on...
And, I also have scheduled a fingerpicking mandolin video...
Even so, I believe that you're right, the "Intro to Mando" video deserves a sequel...I'll try to write out a script for it...
Thanks for your input...and keep on pickin', Mickey
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003
Subject: A "thank you" and a question...
Hi Mickey! I recently bought your "Intro to Mandolin" video, and it is excellent. We wasted money on several others that were glorified demonstrations with no learning value before discovering yours - yours alone was worth every penny, so thank you....
- Jake
Subject: into to mando video...
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:12:54 -0700
Dear Mickey
Thanks for the Intro to Mandolin video... though Ive been trying to learn mandolin for about a year now, your video has already moved me giant steps ahead just on my first viewing.
...When will your 'Advanced Mandolin Video' start production - hint,hint)!
Thanks again for your great help.
Rich Schramm
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:16:02 -0600
Mickey,
I received your video last week on "Introduction to Mandolin". I have been learning to play for a little over two years and have learned mostly from "another's" method. However, there are a lot of holes in my playing ability that you have provided the answers. I could not believe what I was watching. Almost every question that I have about methodology was answered. And guess what, it is not that hard. I really believe that you have provided me with the tools to really become a really good mandolin player. I consider myself high average on what I have already learned but this approach will do nothing but make me exponentially better at playing. I spend at least an hour each day practicing, and now this hour will provide much, much more fruit!!!!
Kelly Pugh