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Mandolin Magazine is our sole paper-based oasis amidst a desert of vast print periodical void. If you don't subscribe to this quarterly publication, you are truly missing out. For as low as the cost of an expensive dinner (for one) at Ruth's Criss Steakhouse, you can get four issues of some of the best articles, reviews, and workshops, penned by some of the world's leading mandolin authorities; delivered to your mailbox.
Why not subscribe today?

Posted by Ted at 03:56 PM

August 27, 2005 | Mike Marshall Method

Digging: all five of Mike Marshall's new Mandolin Method Books!...
Unless you just crawled out from under a rock you already know about the radiant performing genius of Mike Marshall, arguably one of the top five musicians (let alone mandolinist) alive today. Did you know in addition, he is an author, too? You may not be aware he has just dropped some of his crumbs off the table for us mortals to feast in a food frenzy of radical eight-string insight and blazing plectrum faculty:

- IMPROVISATIONAL CONCEPTS
- THE GREAT BOOK OF FINGER BUSTERS
- SONATAS AND PARTITAS FOR UNACCOMPANIED VIOLIN BY J.S. BACH
- BRAZILIAN CHOROS
- THE CHORD BOOK

Each a jewel, you'll want a little "Marshall Magic" of your own, and these will not disappoint. We feel strongly that the above are a necessary addition to the arsenal of attack in comprehending Jazz techniques. We've just completed a detailed review, unraveling for you their amazing jazz mandolin potential in our own JazzMando Research Facilities.

Read our Review.

Also, check out Mike's website.

Posted by Ted at 10:48 AM

August 20, 2005 | Dream Team

Pondering an Olympic calibre Jazz Mandolin Dream Team...
If we had to pick five players out of today's crop of greats (this side of the Atlantic) to get together for a serious jazz mandolin compilation, we'd most certainly engage Jethro legendary protege Don Stiernberg, Vermont Euro-Choro master Will Patton, Western Swing Bebopper Paul Glasse, electric jazz mandolin pioneer Michael Lampert, and MandolinCafe Site Curator Scott Tichenor. Imagine these cats trading fours on some standards.

Woof...

Well, I guess we can always dream.

Until then, buy everything these guys ever recorded.

Posted by Ted at 12:23 PM

August 13, 2005 | FFcP Part 2

Rise and shine for FFcP Part 2! Breathe deeply and comfortably by putting more oxygen in the "stratosphere" of the upper frets of your mandolin...

Have you been working hard on our exclusive FFcP strategy of developing fretboard familiarity and finger control? Ready for more???

Freshly published in the "Lessons" section of our favorite mandolin website, MandolinCafe is our recent contribution, "Moving on Up!" Take the system to the next level and develop smooth transitions between regions of the fingerboard.

Visit the Lesson Pages and read FFcP Part 2, and many of the other rich treasures of this resource.

Posted by Ted at 10:23 AM

August 11, 2005 | JazzMando ProPlec Picks

Coming Soon: D'Andrea JazzMando Signature Series ProPlec Picks!

The durable rigidity of the Dunlop Ultex, this adds a cleaner, purer attack because of a polished bevel found on more expensive custom-made picks (but at a fraction of their cost)!
1.5 gauge thickness gives you power and meaty control over rich, fluid tone. Gold hotstamp artwork on both sides gives the added bonus of secure grip.

Scheduled for late August release in the JazzMando Merchandise Center...

This is one you'll want to pick! (Stay tuned)

Posted by Ted at 09:34 AM

August 06, 2005 | Rigelfest is coming!

Rigelfest is just around the corner, and if you haven't made your room reservations yet, don't hesitate!
September 30 & October 1st will be the opportunity to enjoy the lush New England foliage of Vermont at Rigel Headquarters, including tours of the Rigel plant and other mandolin activities. Enjoy concerts, workshops, and a chance to hang with other mandolinist of charm, good looks, and keen intellect--all the prerequisites for playing a Rigel instrument. Book your reservation, call 800-476-1009, soon!

We're going!...

Details.

Posted by Ted at 01:42 PM