Great opportunity to enjoy the classics and be introduced to some artists you may not be familiar with. Over two thousand MP3s in rotation, you'll be swinging a long time.
Every once in a while, we like to organize. We've accumulated some valuable content here, but keeping subjects ordered and accessible is a constant housekeeping chore. We recently added topic headings in our three major areas of pedagogy, Fingers, Ears, and Brain.
Always on the lookout for new ways of thinking the mandolin, we've been following the progress in the collaboration of cutting-edge builder/designer Will Kimble and 21st century instrument entrepreneur Peter Mix in their righteous efforts to produce the world's first full production model Carbon Fibre Mandolins in their promising"New Millenium Acoustic Design."
Even tougher than steel but very light-weight Carbon fiber is unaffected by the ravages of extreme temperature and humidity. Also, uncommon knowledge is that CF is extremely resonant with tonal qualities found in finely carved-woods. Carbon fiber has been used in the construction of guitars, violins, and cellos for several years already, can be left in its natural black and gray woven cosmetic, or painted like a high-performance race car.
Our personal experiences with CF in commissioning one of only two Carbon Fibre top mandolins previously made, the Ovation custom Adamas Mandolin have been extremely positive. We're excited to see the benefits expanded to the body and neck. An A body prototype is out and in the hands of reputable testers now, soon an Oval hole, and not long after, a Florentine is on the drawing board.
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1. A collaborative recording or concert of two JazzMando faves, Will Patton and Paul Glasse. These two leading edge jazz mandolinists have a similar jazz vocabulary and prolific melodic improvisational skills. How cool it would be to get the Vermonter and the Texan to trade fours in concert!
- 2. A new Don Stiernberg recording. Speaking of great jazz mandolinists, we were spoiled by several delicious recordings by "The Don" over the last few years. We know another collaboration with East Coast virtuoso guitarist John Carlini is in the oven. It's going to be hard to beat their last two projects, but we expect nothing but the best.
- 3. More four-string acoustic or acoustic-electric mandolins and mandolas from premier cottage builders. Our own Solocomp JM has been a raging success, and following on the heels of the Arrow Jazzbo, we thing the world is ready for a glorious trend of single course mandolin family instruments. Tremolo is over-rated; nothing propagates a cheesy image of our instrument than the stuttering of bad tremolo.
- 4. A carbon fibre asymmetrical two-point mandolin. Company President Peter Mix is pioneering CF technology in mandolins, already somewhat explored in violins, cellos and guitars in his fledgling entrepreneurial effort, New Millennium Acoustic Design mandolins. The A-body is out, F is in the hopper, and we'd sure like to see a two-point not long after.
- 5. The expansion of our Tips and Tricks section to video. With a "face for radio" we'll have to keep all shots from the neck down, but we're hoping to catch up with the rest of the world and add some video files for playing tips.
Happy New Year from Site Curator Ted Eschliman and the rest of the JazzMando Research Staff!
Posted by Ted at 06:07 PM
December 22, 2006 | JazzMando Wallpaper
Seems every other decent website has a wallpaper page, so why shouldn't we?...
We've collected a libray of sweet eye candy of some of our favorite Axes of Upheaval over the many months; we decided to display them so you can well... display them! Our favorites are there, and hopefully more yet to come. Collect these pictures and set them up so your computer desktop can celebrate these examples of superb 21st century craftsmanship!
View JazzMando Wallpaper library.
Got some you'd like to see us post? Let us know.
Posted by Ted at 05:24 AM
December 20, 2006 | Origins of Jazz
With over a century to work its way into permanent global consciousness, the meaning of the word "jazz" is as illusive and varied as the number of striated genres and stylistic blends that have developed over the decades. Fusion, Ragtime, Bebop, Swing, are but a few of the voluminous more options out there today, regardless, it seems the origin of the word "jazz" is just as controversial in its roots in the early 1900's.
A fascinating article (scholarly and longish but worth the read) by Daniel Cassidy explores this in "How the Irish Invented Jazz," exploring Irish roots, but also paying tribute to the crucial African origin, with an added interesting look at Baseball, High Society, and Hot Springs. According to the author, it all seems to figure in. Decide for yourself...
Read article:
Posted by Ted at 06:08 AM
December 18, 2006 | Solocomp JM Review
Getting down to the "fundamentals;" in this case, the glorious harmonic fundamental tone of the new Old Wave Solocomp JM. We just received the fruits of a year-long collaboration and commission from world class builder, Bill Bussmann, and couldn't be happier.
This new instrument features a warm, rich sound, with its CGDA tuning, slick guitar-body shape, and a 4-string dexterity and 16" scale well-suited for chord-melody style playing. It's more than we could have ever asked for, and hope to see it as a standard production model.
We'll be posting sound files soon.
Read review: Solocomp JM Alto Guitar/Jazz Mandola
Posted by Ted at 05:47 AM
December 16, 2006 | Alan Epstein: Come in from the Cold
It's a festive time, isn't it? Nothing like listening to Alan & Bonnie Epstein's new CD, "Come in from the Cold" while washing down Christmas cookies with a little egg nog, or better, hot chocolate and amaretto.
We met Alan a few years ago before he transplanted himself from Pennsylvania (founder of the Pittburgh Mandolin Orchestra) to Michigan where he teaches mandolin lessons at Elderly Music. An avid coffee bean roaster, Alan is one of the nicest guys around and well-versed in a variety of styles, including bluegrass, classical, choro, and can even swing, as is evident on this special Yuletide recording. He and his pianist wife, Bonnie, delight us with tasteful arrangements of pop, traditional, and classical favorites in this piano/mandolin duo.
We were thrilled to bump into Alan again at Mandofest 2005, only to discover he had recently been added to the Neptune Quartet as a special guest fifth member. Bandleader Don Julin quipped, "Most quartets only have four members. Our quartet has five..."
It's not too late to get your copy of the CD to listen to before the Christmas Season is over (order today!), but even so, order it so you can have it ready in your collection for next year.
Purchase information: Come in from the Cold
Posted by Ted at 03:12 PM
December 15, 2006 | The Sound of Angels: Dayton Mandolin Orchestra
Well, we're in the Spirit, now! We just received the latest recording from the prestigious Dayton Mandolin Orchestra of the Greater Dayton Ohio area. Fellow picker and JD13 mandola string Beta Tester Dave Voyles, promised us a recording of his new strings in an ensemble setting. We had no doubts it would be this professional; and cool, too.
Congratulations Music Director, Allen Richmond and crew... This is a fine recording including such Yuletide favorites as "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming," "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," "Sleigh Ride," and many more. Throw in some great classical literature, and you have the recipe for some wonderful mandolin texture.
Get a copy for yourself; hurry, we hear they are almost sold out!
Purchase information: The Sound of Angels
View: cover
Posted by Ted at 09:52 PM
December 13, 2006 | Gypsy Mandolin
Django Reinhardt and the mandolin, the melding of these worlds is always a favorite topic of ours. Though some Gypsy Jazz purists might snub their nose at the entrance of the eight-string brethren, one can't deny the logic: tuned like a violin, plucked like a guitar, why wouldn't the mandolin fit in a Gypsy ensemble?
Let alone the irony that early Gypsy technique has its roots in mandolin; according to Django authority Michael Horowitz, "there is evidence that Django and Baro Ferret studied right hand technique with Poulette Castro, a Gitan bandurria player. If you look at the old Italian classical mando books they all tell you to play everything exactly like the Gypsy Picking book."
If you haven't been to Michael's site, www.djangobooks.com, it's well worth exploring! Not only some cool hard-to-find educational materials and MP3s, there is a year-old Discussion Forum dedicated to mandolinists head up by Berklee School of Music Professor, John McGann, a perennial and often quoted favorite around here.
Visit and participate in the Mandolin Forum!
Posted by Ted at 06:01 AM
December 11, 2006 | Software for Christmas
Looking for a Christmas present for a favorite mandolinist friend, consider the Mando ModeExplorer software program. No need to worry about "re-gifting;" this is the one that once received, keeps on giving--to its owner! Fits nicely under the tree, too.
A powerful tool for the chord hungry mando-enthusiast, this terrific resource allows the player to grow and literally explore a gazillion chord and scale fingering opportunities. Visually appealing, it features sight and sound of a real mandolin fretboard as new positions are unraveled before your eyes. (Find the fingering for a Ab7(b13)+11(add9)/F and light that fingerboard like a Christmas tree!)
This testimonial from Dylan Hatch of St. Paul MN:
"I am working with his software right now Mando ModeExplorer, and I can tell you, he knows his theory! I am actually finding ModeExplorer to be a useful companion to my theory book- I can put theory into practice on the fretboard, and the related options (scales, chords) that ME presents are enough to keep me busy and happy forever. Meaty, meaty program."
Purchase information: Mando ModeExplorer
Groveland can get this shipped out to you faster than you can even say "Christmas Fruitcake!"
Posted by Ted at 11:16 AM
December 09, 2006 | Ludewig Mandolins Site Remodel
It's a newly upgraded website for Illinois master builder, Dale Ludewig at Ludewigmandolins.com. We're especially fond of his Emory Lester models, but his recent journey into two-point, especially the lush green one is worth a look.
Glad to see some of these new babies on the site, now.
Nice work, Dale!
Visit site: Ludewig Mandolins
Read our reviews: Emory Lester Model Mandolin and Emory Lester's Christmas Carols recorded with Dale's craft.
Posted by Ted at 05:59 AM
December 07, 2006 | New December Mandolin Sessions
It's winter in the Northern Hemisphere and that means the weather gets dry; so can our comping. Eliminate "static cling" by checking our December entry in Mel Bay's Mandolin Sessions, a bi-monthly online webzine with some terrific free lessons and songs.
We tackle once again, the issue of spicing up dull, motionless music with simple chord extensions in Linear Leanings: another look at spicing up bland chord progressions with embellishing notes and altering chord function.
Sounds cerebral, but it really isn't..
Read artice: December Mandolin Sessions
If you haven't seen these articles before, we have a back issue index that you'll find most helpful: Jazz Mandology past columns.
Posted by Ted at 06:12 AM
December 06, 2006 | Gear Junkies
Got an itch for another mandolin or new accessory? We're connected to the Mandolin Cafe Classifieds for some serious scratching...
We highly recommend this convenient buy/trade/sell environment. A community of good folks to do business with, and some very interesting items; whether you're in the market or not, this would be a great page to bookmark. Immediately refreshed to bring up the last and most recent eight entries, you can count on an update listing of eye candy and hard-to-beat deals.
Visit the JazzMando condensed list of Mandolin Cafe Classifieds.
Posted by Ted at 05:52 AM
December 05, 2006 | Tracking Progress
Waiting is the hardest part. We've been tracking the progress of the new Solocomp JM of Old Wave Mandolins since it's conception last winter in the JazzMando Research Lab, to the magical woodbench of builder/genius Bill Bussmann this spring and summer. Now as winter engulfs us again, we're tracking online it's shipping in a FedEx warehouse in Ft. Worth Texas, knowing full well that upon it's arrival, we'll need to give it the standard 24-hour warm-up period before opening the shipping box. (Thwarts fatal finish checking...)
Almost literally, a kid before Christmas, all we have is the final picture to refer back to as we check its hourly status north to the cold midwest on the FedEx website. We've already been running plenty of 'ii V7 Is' in our head on this.
Can't wait to get it into our fingers...
View picture: Old Wave Solocomp JM Alto Guitar/Jazz Mandola
Look for reviews very soon...
Check out Bill's critters available for your 2006 Christmas tree: Old Wave Available Now
Posted by Ted at 06:02 AM
December 02, 2006 | Beat the Cold
Midwest, Northeast recover from storm; heavy snow and winds knock out power and ground flights. So what can you do if you're one of the many US citizens from Texas to Michigan (and now east!) stuck without power or burdened with major snow removal on your sidewalk and picking porch? We've got just the thing, a little relief from the cold: the JazzMando Logo Aspen Polar Fleece Headband/Earmuff!
Of course it's important keep those fingers warm this season (and out of harm's way digging lodged snow from snowblowers), but let clearer heads prevail and keep those ears warm, too. We've only got a few of these left, so get your orders in soon. When they're gone, they're gone...
Check out on the page the picture of builder and fashionably conscious Joel Eckhaus of Earnest Instruments. Joel credits a warm brain for the great success he enjoys as builder of some of the most innovative sought-after electric mandolins, ukes, and tenor guitars in the world...
Ordering information: JazzMando Logo Aspen Polar Fleece Headband/Earmuff
Posted by Ted at 05:19 PM
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