New Stonewood mandolin case from Protec Music
We're always interested in reporting new and cost-effective ways to protect and mobilize mandolins, especially when a case is versatile to fit many different body Read more»
08.30.10
New Paul Glasse Videos
Video treats from one of the planet's most amazing jazz mandolinists, Austin Texas stalwart, Paul Glasse. The first is a rare opportunity to witness a Read more»
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"Good improvisation communicates harmonic progression melodically. Effective melodies manipulate harmonic content through the use of guide tones and preparatory gravity notes, masterfully woven in systematic tension, release, and transparent harmonic definition."
September 1, 2010 | New Stonewood mandolin case from Protec Music
We're always interested in reporting new and cost-effective ways to protect and mobilize mandolins, especially when a case is versatile to fit many different body styles. The new Stonewood SW-208 hardshell case from Protec Music with a street price under $80 (MSR $99) is worthy of attention for quite a cross section of mandolin body shapes.
Click pictures for close-up
The interior open-endedness is its second most appealing feature. (See "first" at the end of the review...) Finding a good fit to multiple body styles, A, F, 2-point is a daunting chore for most builders (and some players) in an adequate, protective shell, and this one-size-fits-most solution cuts down on potential inventory. You'll notice the additional insert to assist in forming a protection for shorter body styles. (We found it necessary on the A bodies we tried, and so will you.)
The pleasant surprise for us was the way it fit a Brazilian made bandolim. Our wider bodied JP-Charles ten-string fits like a glove inside. The insert also helps snug the base, and it's generous interior allows the deeper body of the instrument to rest nicely inside when we doubled up this padding.
This depth is a tad more problematic with a standard size 2-point or A body. Some kind of cushion or inch-thick padding under the body would really suit the market better. The other design modification we'd suggest is a slightly shallower neck compartment. Taking its interior accessory compartment lid about an inch lower into the nest would stabilize the neck better for most instruments, especially standard thickness mandolins.
Love the look of the hardware. The antiqued brass is a classy aesthetic you associate with higher end cases, and the case lid is both secure and snug, great for humidity control. In addition, we like the comfort of the thickly padded handle; the weight spreads ergonomically in the grip of your hands for long distance hauls. The black tolex covering also provides good scratch resistant protection from marking and marring when stacked next to hard surfaces or other objects.
The most appealing feature has to be its unique clear plexi window. If you are a certified victim of MAS(Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome) and have multiple instruments in similar cases, you may have found yourself at a performance or practice with the wrong ax. The ability to see the headstock while the case is closed is not only novel, but quite practical for the chronic mandolin junkie/collector.
We couldn't help but register an inescapable but surely unintended tribute to "2001 a Space Odyssey." We're reasonably sure your mandolin will fare better than Dr. Kimball and the ill-fated occupants of the spaceship Discovery...
The manufacturer lists the dimensions as 11.50(W) x 28.00(H) x 4.00(D).
We measured the interior at 11 x 27 x 3. Again, our only reservation is the depth of the body compartment, easily remedied by another pad or insert.
Video treats from one of the planet's most amazing jazz mandolinists, Austin Texas stalwart, Paul Glasse. The first is a rare opportunity to witness a spontaneous personal demonstration of his new signature model Arrow mandola close up built by world class luthier Paul Lestock. This gem sounds as good as it looks:
Rumors, mind you, only rumors, but we've heard in addition to a new CD project in the works, his previous timeless treasure CD projects are about to become widely available again. We'll keep you posted...
Will Patton and Paul Glasse at the 2007 Summer NAMM show in Austin, Tx
August 28, 2010 | "The notes seem to come from out of nowhere."
We've been shipping these literally all over the world, and the feedback remains good. It's great to hear from the readers many months into studying, because frankly, that's how long it takes to see the great benefits of our systematic approach. We appreciate you insights.
From Jim: "I order a fair amount of books on the mando, but don't get around to study the techniques that much. Well, after reading your initial comments in which you 'demystify' jazz (mando), it opened me up to not being anxious about learning it, so I have decided to go through your book in a systematic manner to begin learning the concepts, and committing them to 'motor memory.' I have been playing the scales in your book (which I learned studying the violin for three years as a kid), but am now understanding the standard FFcP concepts. I know your book will help me to not have a fear of getting into jazz mando and not to be 'phobic' about playing down the neck, and the like. Jazz has always been intimidating to me to try to get a handle on, even though I have always wanted to have a good grasp on it, because jazz mando is so cool"
From the publisher: Ted Eschliman GETTING INTO JAZZ MANDOLIN
Any mandolinist aspiring to a broader comprehension of music, including swing, blues, pop, choro, broadway, and even classical can expand his/her playing through a working knowledge of jazz fundamentals. This breakthrough approach in mandolin pedagogy takes four uncomplicated fretboard patterns (FFcP) and drills a physical familiarity into the player's fingers, softening the fear of upper frets and prepares for the harmonic alterations necessary for effective and intuitive playing of complex contemporary music. After a brief introduction into modes, you are eased into jamming with audio accompaniment (CD), and eventually an initiation into the most fundamental jazz chord progression of all, the 'ii V7 I' pattern. From the horizontal (melody) to the vertical (chords) and back, the results are a both instinctive and physical grasp of tonal centers and the improvisational fodder of effective performing. With an emphasis on pinky strength, finger control and sustain, the book's exercises also develop the player's concepts of tone and melody. Further supportive resources, including MP3 audio tracks, are available on the internet.
Get yours directly from the author: Getting into Jazz Mandolin Still on sale for $15.95 (plus shipping)
For those of you who already have it, don't forget about the free additional online backup tracks: Webtracks
For some, the quest for the perfect string is a never-ending Quixotic pursuit, and the best set is perpetually the one that's on the other player's mandolin. For others, it's that ONE tried and true string brand, preference never to stray, never to experiment with. In perspective, other than the pick, it's probably the least expensive way to change the sound of your instrument.
We're probably in the latter, the camp of complacency. Once you find a string that ultimately matches your tone and feel preferences, you lose compulsion to change, until that day you run into defective product. We've known a few players that have given up on an entire line of strings, just because of one or two bad sets, and that's a shame. ALL manufacturers eventually run into some production problems; you should never completely abandon a brand because of a single incident of inappropriate string breakage or faulty core.
That said, it helps to know what can go wrong, and we explored that in last week's Tips and Tricks column. We went through loops, cores, age, and tensioning to unravel (pun intended) what could go wrong.
Take some time to read through this. You might find it useful.
Read article: Evaluating strings
This little gem is driving us crazy. Taunting us from a showroom hanger and Elderly's online catalog of used mandolin treasures, this dream-come-true two-point double cutaway body, black spruce top with oval soundhole, sunburst finish carved maple back and sides, sunburst maple neck, is just begging for a home. We hope for the sake of domestic tranquility, someone else grabs it before weakness gives into temptation.
During our stint as a Rigel dealer, we sold over three dozen of these amazing instruments, everyone as attractive to the eye as they were comfortable to hands and fingers. Always edgy in cosmetics, they remained remarkably traditional in sound and feel.
The used Rigel R-100 mandolin would be a perfect littler sister to our Vintage Cream R-200 mandola recently converted into a 10-string fanned fret. We've already got the soprano register nicely covered with the 10-string, but this would be a great investment at the asking price of $1650.
M.A.S. Is such a terrible thing.
Other specs:
22-fret radiused ebony fretboard with abalone dot inlays, 1-3/16" nut width, ~13-7/8" scale length, adjustable ebony bridge, black plastic pickguard, gold quick change tailpiece, gold tuners with pearloid buttons, factory internal piezo pickup with 1/4" endpin jack, ebony peghead overlay with abalone "Rigel" inlay, on consignment, with tweed rectangular HSC (red lining) (SN:2484)
From the jazz mandolin enthusiast's perspectve, this guy has gone YouTube viral (proportionally speaking). New York based, Second City derivative jazz violinist master Aaron Weinstein has posted yet another breath-taking classic chord melody arrangement on his YouTube account, up to 76 subscribers and growing. The video is a great study in the challenging approach, except for the last 24 seconds (spoiler alert) where he's Rick-rolled us. Or "kitten rolled" us, as it were.
Still, Aaron's a cool cat, and when you see the first part of the video, you'll agree.
August 20, 2010 | New tuneage resource: MyRealbook.com
We're pretty impressed with the current features of a website based out of France of jazz standard tunes aptly called "myrealbook.com." Still somewhat in beta-version, the free online library promises to be a terrific resource as it develops more of its features. Offering an astronomical assortment of over a thousand classics in three different standard transpositions, C, Eb or Bb, the site gives you the chords (you already know the melodies) plus allows you to print or email pages. (Did we mention "free?") Understand that this is not a fakebook with melody notated, to offer this feature would make the project cost prohibitive, with all the due legal responsibilities and royalty administration.
We've enjoyed using our Realbook iPad app, but this is terrific for those that don't have Apple's latest gadget or desire the immediate print option. We checked in with the site author Pierre-Yves Sauront about the intriguing possibilities of printing a book or collection of songs selected from the site, particularly generating a PDF file set list for an eReader. He responds, "The plan is to offer the possibility to create books. Not one huge book with all charts, but many small books, for specific use. For example, one will be able to create a book containing all charts corresponding to a specific gig, or for a workshop or rehearsal session. It will be possible to add transposition to some tunes, then to publish three versions of each book, in C, Bb and Eb and send them to other musicians."
He further speculates, "This corresponds with my purposes; I wish to use a eReader too. This means that other charts (not included in the book) will still be available (if needed for jamming) provided the eReader is connected to the Internet." Other features on the drawing board: transposition to any key, which would be great for accompanying singers, group charts that would also include corresponding information like performance dates and locations, rehearsal notes, and of course the ability to pass the books on to fellow musicians through email.
Very exciting stuff, but check in now to see how much repertoire treasure they are already providing.
August 18, 2010 | For sale: mandosynth set-up complete
UPDATE: The instrument had been purchased and is no longer for sale.
We had some fun experimenting with this set-up and wrote about the results in our March 2008 entry, "Roland GK-3 MIDI pickup. For mandolin!" We hooked the Roland guitar synth interface with very good success. The six-pole pickup fit nicely under the 5-stringJonathan Mann EM5. We did have to remove the tone control pot to make it work, but we were pleased there was enough real estate on the top to accommodate the GK-2 without impacting the playing area.
Click pictures for closeup
The fun is in doubling melody with an etheral pad sound or the Rhodes tine. Some of the bass patches were also pretty practical, but now that we're done with it, it's up for sale. The instrument itself sells for around a thousand dollars new, and the Synth module and pickup street price around a couple hundred new. We're making the whole package availabe, instrument, module, pickup installed and deluxe hard case for only $795.
Interested in stepping into the world of MIDI with the mandolin? This is a pretty painless way to do it.
Contact us if you are interested in purchasing this package.
We do pretty well with products out of our JazzMando Merchandise Center, but maybe we could ramp up our appeal even more with a little marketing advice from British advertising guru, Rory Sutherland.
"All it takes is photons, neurons, and a really great idea."
Rotating the Jupiter Silkweave Polish Cloths 45 degrees and calling them "diamonds" would be a bit transparent. Perhaps instead, we could call them Jupiter Silkweave "Prayer" Cloths.
"For when your practicing needs to be inspirational."
August 14, 2010 | Mandolin Cafe jumbo-size 21-chord mug
Are you kidding? Hardly a morning goes by that we don't already use our 3-3/4" Mandolin Cafe Mug. For those mornings that call for a bucket of coffee, this seems to be the perfect answer, the new Mandolin Cafe 4-1/2" tall super-size beverage mug. Great for hot beverages, Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and our secret JazzMando tip, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes prior and you can keep your beer cooler a few minutes longer after you pour.
15 oz. of ceramic ensconced gravitas, easy grip handle, no-spill stability, dishwasher and microwave safe, and as far as we know, never tested on animals. Oh yea, then there's that fashionable chord thing down the side. Everyone can ask you why you need to know so many ukulele chords.
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September 1, 2010 | New Stonewood mandolin case from Protec Music
The pleasant surprise for us was the way it fit a Brazilian made bandolim. Our wider bodied JP-Charles ten-string fits like a glove inside. The insert also helps snug the base, and it's generous interior allows the deeper body of the instrument to rest nicely inside when we doubled up this padding.
