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."
December 31, 2008 | Top Five 2008 JazzMando developments
2008 has been a very good year for us at JazzMando.com! Of course in September, we released the "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" Mel Bay book, but that had already been five years in the making. We also had some help from some new collaborators, including guest contributors Mark Wilson, Charlie Jones, and Shelby Eicher. In looking back, we want to point out five very significant developments that have altered the course of this web resource.
1. The creation of Webtracks, the audio support site for the book "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin." We're honored to have the art of several world-class professionals in our new audio page in our PROFESSIONALS SOUND LAB. We also have extended accompaniment tracks from New Orleans multi-instrumentalist, John Eubanks and performances by Don Stiernberg to support the book.
2. Collaboration with Austin Clark in the new signature Clark JM Two-point mandolin. We were knocked out by the first Two-point we reviewed of the Idaho craftsman, and knew he was the one to make a signature series worthy of the JM brand. This instrument continues to wow and amaze with its playing and sonic prowess.
3. Web redesign with new graphic buttons for more effective site exploration. The growth of material on the site is a double-edged sword, so much has been added over the last five years, it was becoming a search nightmare. A few new icons, submenus, and graphics and we've made our treasures far easier to unearth.
4. The introduction of the Pentatonic FFcP exercise. The culmination of years of research on the closed finger approach or "FFcP" system yielded what we consider the pentultimate (pun intended) mandolin exersize, the gateway to effective improvisation, but in all 12 keys.
5. The RSS feed into the newly enhanced MandolinCafe.com site. With the rebirth of the MandolinCafe Message Board in its current incarnation, one of its new features takes our two RSS feeds, semi-daily "What's New" and weekly "Tips and Tricks," and inserts them into the mix of exposure with the world's premiere online mandolin websource. Thanks Site Administrator, Scott Tichenor!
And thanks to all of you for growing with us this last year at JazzMando...
December 29, 2008 | Looking back: 5 years of Jazz Mandology Mandolin Sessions archived articles
We've got great resources worth review here at JazzMando; in particular, we'd like to point out the magnificent partnership we've had with Mel Bay Publishing the last five years with our Jazz Mandology Column in their online webzine, MandolinSessions.com. New articles written semi-monthly, we've logged in over 30 great articles for you to take some time to explore and/or review.
Take a moment to look at our summary page and see if there's something you missed the first time. While you're at it, support their site and patronize Mel Bay's Bayside Press, jam packed with the many other great books and DVDs to sharpen your skills.
December 27, 2008 | Commemorative mandolin shirts: Price reduction
Premium "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" Limited Edition T-shirt. Here is a narrow opportunity to purchase a black long-sleeve version of this special commemorative GiJM shirt featuring the cover of this new Mel Bay book, and now at a reduced price! Only $19.95. An elegant black silhouette and ready for winter weather, a shirt like this speaks volumes about the tastes of its wearer.
"Slimming" color and contour
Stylish ribbed sleeve cuffs
Comfy Haynes 5.4-oz 100% preshrunk cotton
Neck rib is seamless, and TearAway tag easily be removed
(XXL size $3.00 more)
From the entire staff at JazzMando, the merriest of Christmases to you. We gathered a Middle School Choir, an adult praise band, and a church congregation to back up Site Author, Ted Eschliman and his Mandobird in a contemporary version of "Silent Night," just for the ocassion...
:)
Nothing like an opportunity to release your "Inner Lead Guitar Player." The M-bird is run through a Digitech RP90 Processor and Fender Blues Jr. Amp. Words are here; sing along!
December 23, 2008 | Mandozine Chord Sheet Generator
John Baxter, Mandozine Site Adminstrator has recently ported the UkeFarm Chord Sheet Generator for mandolin, mandola and tenor guitar (tenor banjo). This highly practical Web application is for creating song chord sheets. Enter the chords once, the application displays appropriate chord sheets. Tag chord sheets as "private" or share online with all users. Included are a field for lyrics and chords in two positions and of course, the opportunity for users to submit alternate changes.
The original app designed by Baxter, he hopes this will be useful for communal sharing of chord progressions and shared similarly as the TablEdit files currently residing on the highly popular Mandozine forum. Database and code was done by Larry Tanner, and valuable help with testing and Help file editing came from our friend and fellow Mandolin Sessions author, Wendy Anthony.
December 21, 2008 | New Sound Lab audio from Jamie Masefield
We are thrilled to be able to offer a new Sound Lab entry from true progressive mandolin royalty, Jamie Masefield from the pioneer jam band "The Jazz Mandolin Project." From the JMP website: "Since 1993, Jamie Masefield's Jazz Mandolin Project has been offering an entirely new concept of what the mandolin can do. Pushing the boundaries with a new innovative sound, "JMP" has toured throughout the US and internationally with a unique approach that has changed the mind of many as to the instruments potential. JazzTimes columnist, Bill Milkowski, concurs, writing in May 2000, " Like Mandolinists Mike Marshall and David Grisman before him, Jamie Masefield is challenging notions of what that stringed instrument--forever associated with folk and bluegrass music--can do."
We've been especially captivated by his recent work in a jazz trio with MaMaVig. Ma=Jamie Masefield, Ma=Gary Mazzaroppi (bass), Vig=Frank Vignola (guitar), and this intimate ensemble setting allows Maseield to strut his incredible jazz chops with two other amazing premier musicians.
Jamie has graced us with a terrific chord melody version of "Yes, I'll Always Be There," a concept song from the "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin Book" that explores advanced shifting Tonal Center studies. You can also hear another interpretation from Don Stiernberg in our PROFESSIONALS SOUND LAB; both are excellent but diverse versions, performed beautifully.
This just in from Idaho builder Austin Clark, some droolworthy pics of a new in-the-white guitar-bodied Octave Mandolin. We've been raving about the Clark JM, how about the upcoming Clark OM!?!
We mentioned in an earlier release about Austin's whirlwind pace preparing for his February Winterfest exhibit. (See archive.) We have no doubt this one's going to come out mighty fine. We can't wait to see how the world renowned colormeister finishes it.
We'd like to publicly thank Mandolin Cafe Super Administrator, Scott Tichenor for the mention of "Getting into Jazz Mandolin" as a highlight in his personal 2008 in Review report. 2008 was a great year for us; in addition to the book's release, we introduced a dynamic support section including background audio and some helpful professional demonstrations, JazzMando Webtracks.
We introduced three new builders in our Builder's Spotlight section, reviews including Jason Harshbarger, Austin Clark, Walt Kuhlman, and the collaborative efforts resulting in the Giacomel by Eastman. Of course our own joint efforts with Austin Clark ended up in a terrific new JazzMando signature model, the Clark JM Two-point.
We also expanded the JazzMando Flatwound family strings into ball-end electric with the new JM10B strings, and continue to partner with string manufacturers for other options for Mandola and Octave Mandolin. Hopefully something ready for market in early 2009...
December 15, 2008 | JM10B Ball-end flatwound mandolin: Enhancements successful!
We introduced a ball-end version of our widely popular JM11 Flatwound Mandolin Strings in April this year with some mixed results. The JM10B worked swimmingly well on solidbody electric mandolins; customers were happy with the warm tone and smooth on fixed position/individually adjustable bridges. Unfortunately, out of the gate our first batch failed on some of the popular acoustic-electrics, the Ovation in particular. E-strings were popping on the ball, and D-courses were not intonating properly because of some core material issues.
That was then, this is now...
We're happy to report the latest improved version of the JM10B is responding extremely well. If you have an Ovation mandolin, this might well be the answer you seek for the less harsh, artificial sound these instruments are demonized for unplugged. Problems solved.
We'd especially like to thank newly deputized Field Research Assistant Lynn Tillman for taking the time to video her field-testing experience. If you want to enjoy documentary of her personal string discovery, check out her YouTube account: TLMN8R Videos.
December 13, 2008 | J.S. Bach duets for the holidays
The music of J.S. Bach's works for keyboard and violin family instruments sound terrific and adapt easily to mandolin. The two-part inventions and movements from the cello suites 1 and 3 recently published by Debora Chen are supplied in tab and notation, and were selected "specifically because they lay well on the fretboard and require only as much sustain as a mandolin naturally has. Cello suite movements and Invention 15 are transposed to mando appropriate keys; the rest are mando friendly in their original keys."
MANDOLIN DUETS: J.S. Bach Selected Two-Part Inventions, arranged and edited for two mandolins (in tab and standard notation). Includes inventions 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15. Limited sale at String Thing Music until 1/1/09: $12.95 (reg. $16.95)
For mandolinists trying to break away from tab, the score is provided in notation only for reading practice and may be read by two mandolinists sharing a stand; the parts for mandolin I and mandolin II include standard notation, and tab/suggested fingerings for reference as needed, or for mandolinists who prefer reading tab. (Editing favors easiest-to-reach fingering.) Includes running bar numbers for easy rehearsal. The score and mandolin I are bound in one book (39 pages), mandolin II is included as a separate pull-out booklet (18 pages).
Don't have a convenient partner to play with? No problem; play-along MP3's for both mando 1 and mando 2, played slowly with metronome clicks, are available free at the String Thing Music website. Use them to help learn each voice, or to play the opposite one from the one you are playing yourself.
Always wanted to learn to play standard notation but thought you never could? Debora's got the answer! Here critically acclaimed method book Standard Notation for the Tab-Addicted Mandolinist has been a key bridge for many mandolinists, and has opened a whole new world of centuries of literature and current print materials.
December 11, 2008 | Blast from the past: An Urban Christmas
You might not have known it, but site author Ted Eschliman in his pre-mando days recorded a keyboard instrumental jazz Christmas CD, "An Urban Christmas" way back in 1991. The synth-based, self-produced project enjoyed moderate regional success having air play in the cities of Lincoln, Omaha, Kansas City, and Minneapolis, and achieved national critical acclaim. CCM writer Bruce A. Brown wrote "Eschliman has issued one of this season's better independent releases. There's a clever sprightliness and elfin mischief to many of his arrangements.... Worth searching for."
Unfortuanately, the CD is no longer in print, but six of the ten original tracks have been posted for listening and download on a special MySpace web page for your enjoyment. Give it a listen and if you have a MySpace account, sign it up as a friend and pass the word.
December 09, 2008 | James Taylor/Yo Yo Ma interview on Charlie Rose
Though he's not a mandolinist, we've always been huge James Taylor fans, not just for his signature vocal stylings, but his unique blend of cerebral jazz vocabulary (and lyrics) mixed with a folksy acoustic sensibility. If you've got a spare 30 minutes, his Charlie Rose interview with "Songs of Joy and Peace" project partner cellist, Yo Yo Ma is enthralling. The three discuss such issues as collaboration, musical diversity, and the origins and solidifications of personal musical identity.
Not much more that two weeks of time left for Christmas shopping, and we'd like to make the job easier for a mandolinist, or friend/family to get something unique for this year's holiday. Whether it's for you or a simple suggestion for someone to get for you, the following are ideas that we can get to you in a timely manner, if you order yet this week. We make every attempt to ship things out same or next day.
Premium "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" Limited Edition T-shirt. This will be a narrow opportunity to purchase a black long-sleeve version of this special commemorative shirt featuring the cover of this new Mel Bay book. An elegant black silhouette and ready for winter weather, a shirt like this speaks volumes about the tastes of its wearer. Purchase Information
JM11 flatwound mandolin strings. If you haven't tried these for yourself yet, why not treat yourself now? One of the least expensive ways of upgrading your instrument's sound (besides practicing, of course) is a new set of strings. Why not now? Purchase Information
"Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" book. Maybe you want a second one for your office or a copy for one of your friends; treat someone to the wonderful fretboard journey of this breakthrough mandolin method book. Only relevant to the jazzer? Hardly--plenty of mando knowledge for ANY mandolinist of any genre seeking better playing ability and technique. Purchase Information
JazzMando Pick pack. Strings are the least expensive way to improve your tone? Wrong. A new pick is significantly less expensive and can have a profound impact on your sound. Give these a try! Purchase Information
Jupiter Silkweave "Clean up the rest of the band" cloth special. How about our new 5 for 4 special on Jupiter Silkweave cloths? You've always wanted your guitar player to clean his guitar, but didn't know how to express it tactfully. Now's your chance; "Merry Christmas, Mr. Pig!"Purchase Information
December 05, 2008 | A gift for a kid that really lasts...
Tis the season for giving, and we have a great cause for you to consider. The Mandolin Cafe website is on course to collect donations for two great Mandolins for Kids opportunities, the California Bluegrass Association's Kids on Bluegrass (mandolin program) and the Cool Mandolin Company Cool Mandolins for Kids, two exceptionally well run programs that require accountability from instrument recipients and need instruments for mandolin lending libraries.
Details on how you can be a part of these worthy benefits are on the website, donating an instrument that is player-ready, one that needs attention, or simply giving a cash donation. We've enjoyed collecting for JazzMando sponsor Cool Mandolin Company the past two months; we donate $10 for each autographed copy of "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" sold in the JazzMando Merchandise Center.
In our newly-released MandolinSessions.com article we take a closer look at one of the lessons on modal improvisation from the "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" book, a concept tune, "Dorian's Grey." There is a lot more common ground we share in the harmonic vocabulary of Folk/Bluegrass than one might realize, particularly the post-Bebop era of jazz.
John Coltrane and "Cluck Old Hen?" Miles Davis" and "Drunken Sailors Hornpipe?" Not as far removed as you might think.
Well, we can't credit ourselves for being too clever on this one, but we've discovered a rare opportunity to acquire one of the new Giacomel by EastmanDG1 mandolins from the David Grisman Collection. It's actually the very one we reviewed and can be snagged, but only if you hurry. We've tracked it down (at a discount!) at Acoustic Vibes Music in Tempe, AZ. Recovering from a nice Thanksgiving holiday weekend, JazzMando sponsor Jeff Looker and crew are ready to answer your cyber questions, or visit the spectacular wood and strings showroom in person. This is a great time of year in Phoenix for a fly-in.
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any fool with a computer, a modem, and an idea can
become a self-professed 'expert." This site does not
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December 31, 2008 | Top Five 2008 JazzMando developments
The original app designed by Baxter, he hopes this will be useful for communal sharing of chord progressions and shared similarly as the TablEdit files currently residing on the highly popular Mandozine forum. Database and code was done by Larry Tanner, and valuable help with testing and Help file editing came from our friend and fellow Mandolin Sessions author, Wendy Anthony.
Yes, I'll Always Be There 
