As mentioned, we've witnessed reports of an incredible amount of gracious internet chatter about the FFcP System, and we decided to join the 21st century and start a designated Facebook group, "Fretboard Yoga." If you have a Facebook account be sure to sign up; we're hoping to get participants to post their personal experiences about the benefits of this creative approach to exploring the fretboard.

One common theme we've observed, the physical intensity of the exercises are something you need to start off slowly. With a modicum of discipline and commitment to 8-15 minutes a day, long range results are overwhelmingly impressive. Furthermore, we have yet to hear from anyone who spends more than six weeks on it complain about FFcP being a waste of time.

Facebook, despite some of the recent sensationalized press is a great and safe environment for cyber-gathering. There are enough controls to achieve your preferred level of privacy. The only down side we've experienced is the incredible time suck of bumping in to old high school and college friends along the Information Highway. You can easily lose track of time getting caught up with old (and newfound!) social circles.

Check out the FFcP "Fretboard Yoga" group: FFcP Facebook Support Group

Further:
January Fitness
Super FFcP: A Thorough Warmup Routine

Posted by Ted at 05:20 AM

January 28, 2009 | Light bulbs: 'Getting Into Jazz Mandolin' feedback

We truly enjoy reading the comments we get in regards to the recent Mel Bay release "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin." Though we blush at discussion board threads entitled "Ted Eschliman changed my life," we take it with a modest sense of humor and deeply appreciate the rabid interest. Always feel free to weigh publicly and privately with on your own progress and process...

Recently we received these comments of note from William in Canada: "Lightbulb moment..."I'm "Beginning to see the Light" thanks Ted ...Many years of playing trumpet taught me that except in rare "alternate fingering positions" the notes were always the same fingering for notes in the octave ...always ...so the concept of common alternate fingering for the same note comes as somewhat of a revelation ...also the immense possibilities of this tiny instrument are just beginning to dawn on me ...chords! what a thrill! ...Range ...remarkable! OK back to work ...I'm sure I'll be at you again as I continue to explore here in the dark.... your FFcP system seems so simple on the surface ...I'm only now starting to grasp the grander possibilities... my fingers are learning faster than my mind...and my eyes ...I can run the pattern faster than I can read the music ...which feels really strange...also I have staggering holes in my theoretical knowledge ....lots to think about ...thanks so much for your time and tutelage, Wm.

The book contains many physically approaches that won't happen for you immediately. The physical benefits from the FFcP itself (which you can download free here) really takes anywhere from 4-8 weeks of diligence, and you really don't want to rush that or you'll risk injury from repetitive motion. After this kind of Yoga-like acclimation things will start to happen.

When it does, we want to hear about it!

Posted by Ted at 06:10 AM

January 26, 2009 | Django in June 2009; 6/9-14

Djangophiles, Django in June Camp Administrator Andrew Lawrence weighs in to let you know that the Django in June website has been updated for 2009 and they are ready for early-bird registrations for the 6-day Django Camp, June 9-14 in Northampton, Massachusetts.

"The first full-fledged music camp in the US dedicated entirely to the Gypsy jazz tradition, Django Camp offers an unparalleled opportunity for musicians who would really like to dig in to this fascinating, exuberant style. Whether you want to build a strong Gypsy jazz foundation or add another floor above the one you've got, Django Camp offers guidance, inspiration and camaraderie at a depth you won't find anywhere else this side of Samois.

Our teachers and performers this year will include a formidable Dutch contingent as well as distinguished artists from both coasts of North America. As you'll see from the roster below, we are ready for players of guitar, violin, accordion, mandolin and bass"

Clinicians include our own Jamie Masefield for the mandolin classes:
*Reinier Voet, Jan Brouwer of Pigalle44, guitar (Holland)
*Gonzalo Bergara, guitar (Argentina via California)
*Kruno Spisic, guitar (Philadelphia, Croatia)
*Denis Chang and Romain Vuillemin of the Denis Chang Quartet, guitar (Montreal & France, respectively)
*Michael Horowitz of Djangobooks (Washington State)
*Jamie Masefield of the Jazz Mandolin Project, mandolin (Vermont)
*Gert Wantenaar of Pigalle44, accordion (Holland)
*Tim Kliphuis, violin (Holland)
*Simon Planting, bass (Holland, via California)

More details one the djangoinjune.com website. The highlights:
*The dates for this year are June 9-14. (Tuesday evening through Sunday noon.)
*The event is held on the beautiful Smith College campus in Northampton, Massachusetts.
*Early bird tuition rates are in effect; tuition goes up $50 a month starting March 1st.
*Dorm rooms are private, so when your blistered fingers are done for the day, you rest in peace and comfort.
*Meals are also offered on-site, and the food is good.
*Most of the instructional program is organized into 3 broad level of ability, novice to advanced.

Website: DjangoinJune.com

Posted by Ted at 05:47 AM

January 24, 2009 | Jamie Masefield, "Chick'n Apple Scrapple" Sound Lab

Our latest Sound Lab entry is an encore performance from JazzMando perennial fave, Vermonter Jamie Masefield from the pioneer jam band "The Jazz Mandolin Project." Jamie graced us last month with a terrific chord melody rendition of the book's ballad, Yes, I'll Always Be There . For those that might not be familiar with Webtracks, this is our audio page dedicated to supporting "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin " with extended accompaniments for many of the book's exercises. In addition, the PROFESSIONALS SOUND LAB features Jamie and many other premier artists' interpretations of the its five concept songs, demonstrating Modal Improvisation, Tonal Center Shifts, and in this case, advanced Blues Progressions.

Listen to audio: Jamie Masefield Chick'n Apple Scrapple

Jamie demonstrates excellent use of the "Turnaround" vocabularies covered in the book; nothing like hearing them in action to help the concept soak in. Also listen to his brilliant use of motif development; Masefield is a master at the art of melodic consistency and development. We need to mention the very apt comping skills of playing partner Doug Perkins on guitar as well--nice of him to drive over and record this with him!

(Extra credit for those of you who catch Jamie's 4-note homage to Charlie Parker with his "Au Privave" lick at the beginning of the 2nd chorus...)

Jamie's first entry: Yes, I'll Always Be There
More artist interpretations.

Artist's websites:
JMP
MaMaVig

Posted by Ted at 06:15 AM

January 22, 2009 | Christopher Guest "taps" into acoustic

We mentioned the well-known comedian, actor/wirter/director in November 2007 article, Acoustic project on tap for Tap. Pop-culture icon Chrisopher Guest (alter ego Nigel Tufnel from the 80's rockumentary, Spinal Tap) had been presented with an honorary Doctoral Degree from the prestigious Berklee School of Music, mentioning an acoustic project in the oven, with him slinging mandolin (Collings & Moteleone), mandola (Gibson '24) and K mandocello (Gibson '16"). We're pleased to see the CD's recent release, "Memories of Summer as a Child" by the band's name, "The Beyman Brothers." Exquisite sound samples are online at there website and MySpace page, and preliminary audio previews are most impressive.

The music is vibrant yet meditative (the Dharma Moon label produces Yoga videos, after all), not quite "New Age-ish" with some Folk/Bluegrass textures and progressive harmonic vocabularies, woven midst Pop music sensibilities. We dig it, and hope to hear more from the collaboration.

The Beyman Brothers

Artist website: The Beyman Brothers
View video of the band in recording session: Moons of Tunis
Label: Dharma Moon

Posted by Ted at 07:02 AM

January 20, 2009 | Sage wisdom from Michael Lampert

The NAMM show is always an intense time for JazzMando Site Administrator, Ted Eschliman and crew. In addition to catching all the latest and greatest in mandolin developments, he's capturing thoughts on pen and paper for his trade column at Music Inc Magazine, getting direction for new projects at publisher Mel Bay, all in addition to major inventory and market decisions for his multi-store chain in the Midwest.

Fortunately, there were a few moments for an outdoor sanity and soda break with LA area musician and mentor, Michael Lampert. Soaking in the retreating southern California sun (it was 6 degrees back home), the conversation meandered from personal reconnaissance and observations of breakthrough gear on the trade show floor (MP3 mandolins and new industry import players), potential Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome transaction restraint ("keep the Kimble, Ted. Put the additional impulse money into an Education Roth for your daughter's college in 8 years"), and of course our personal favorite topic, mandolin tone.

Reflecting on a previous archive column, "As music "technicians," we often get wrapped up in the mechanics of playing. Faster, louder, more complex, we strive to get more out of the "motor skills" dimension in practice and performing--so much so that we forget music is about beauty. Things like line, expression, tone, get lost like the proverbial forest through the trees developing facility.

Fellow jazzer and electric mandolin pioneer Michael Lampert put it best in a casual conversation, "...I mean if it isn't pretty, why bother?" The context was the subject of players who can reel off a tremendous amount of notes, but either lack melodic direction, or just plain have lousy tone.

We love revisiting these thoughts every time we correspond with the jazz tonemeister himself. Especially when we can do it in person in the January California sun.

Artist Website: Michael Lampert

Posted by Ted at 06:01 AM

January 18, 2009 | Regis Bonilha

Regis Bonilha is a Brazilian luthier whose decade-long span of work in contruction and restoration of instruments of strings is headquartered in the city of Jacarei. He crafts fine classic and steel guitars, Macaferri Selmer models, brazilian mandolins and other instruments including 6- and 7-string violões, and 8-and 10-string mandolins. According to mandolin expert Marilyn Mair's website, "violões are a type of Brazilian guitar, are usually included, a 6-string that plays a rhythmic accompaniment based on written chord symbols, and a 7-string that improvises a bass-line." (Visit for more information on these in the context of choro execution and traditions: Marilyn Mair, "What is Choro?")

Bonilha's website is www.regisbonilha.com; unfortunately it's in Portuguese and its software can't be translated by Bablefish into English, but he has a supporting blog site that can. The pictures and music are worth the visit to both.

Luthier's website: www.regisbonilha.com
Blog insights: regisbonilha.blogspot

Posted by Ted at 08:32 AM

January 16, 2009 | Winter NAMM 2009 pictorial

Doing our best to endure the mild Southern California weather, while the rest of the staff is huddled shivering in the subzero chill back home. The NAMM show is off in a fury, and we took a few moments to snap some pictures. You can read all about it at the Mandolin Cafe website...

View thread: Winter NAMM 2009

Posted by Ted at 08:37 AM

January 14, 2009 | Luthier's Consortium: Michael Lewis

We're setting up our NAMM observation base, getting ready to report the latest mandolin toys and gadgets, leaving behind the 20 degree below Midwestern wind chills for the blustery but much more tolerable 70 degree Santa Ana breezes. In addition to the festivities and exhibits on the show floor itself, we always like attending the annual offsite celebration of premier wood and strings at the Luthier's Consortium gathering. Fretted string innovator Michael Lewis is always one of our favorite builders at the scene and this year, he's featuring in addition to his critically acclaimed guitars, three world class mandolins.

Nothing like a hands-on access to a premium instrument, good music and some cool Belgian brews to top off an evening. It's a tough job for a reporter, but somebody's got to do it...

Site location at the convention: "The Islander" on Katella just East of Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim California, just after the exhibits close down. Also booth 1516 in the Hall E exhibits at the show.

Read archive review: Lewis D'Jango

Posted by Ted at 07:32 AM

January 12, 2009 | Guitarra Baiana and the roots of electric mandolin

From our new friend, Julio Moreno, "we thought you may be interested in our site GuitarraBaiana.com, dedicated to the guitarra baiana (Bahian Guitar), a type of electrc mandolin from Brazil. As you may know, the protoype of the instrument from the early 40s is often considered as the first solid body electric mandolin of all times. The website informs about the history of the tradition, as well as current trends and events."

The site is a fascinating resource with insights of a parallel world of electric mandolin. While we up north were witnessing the development of Texas Swingmasters, Tiny Moore and Johnny Gimble, a whole other universe of electric mandolin had already hatched in the Southern Hemisphere. Excellent history worth reading, and some great YouTube samples for your enjoyment.

Enjoy: GuitarraBaiana.com

Posted by Ted at 05:11 AM

January 10, 2009 | JazzMando Merchandise Center to shut down for Company Inventory

Our varsity crew of staff writers and reporters are heading out to Anaheim, California to cover the 2009 Winter NAMM show next week (1/15-17). This means leaving just the kids left to handle shipping product in the JazzMando Merchandise Center, so we figure we might as well shut it down for our annual physical inventory. While the cat's away, the mice will play, and it's hard enough to get these rascals to count picks while the boss is in the room, let alone unsupervised. They'll probably be on the computers checking out their MySpace pages (can't put a block on that since we have our own) or messing with the owner's new Wii Bowling. Anything but actually working. (That's why the site owner usually does all the shipping himself.)

We won't be able to ship from Tuesday through Sunday, so Monday morning 1/12/09 will be the latest we can process an order. We'll be back in business again Monday, 1/19 to get your supply of JM picks, strings, and books, but until then, we'll be covering the latest and greatest mando toys at the NAMM exhibits. Hope to also catch up with the usual suspects there, Michael Lampert, Jeff Looker, Michael Lewis, and meet some new friends for the first time as well.

Stay tuned...

Posted by Ted at 05:44 AM

January 08, 2009 | Back for a limited time: the JazzMando pick holder!

It has returned, but only on a limted basis, the JazzMando key fob/pick holder. Black premium Canadian leather adorned with gold-trimmed button and ring, this "hardware" is the answer to a Maiden's Prayer for when you're there introducing yourself to another mandolin, and your stash of picks is nowhere to be found.

It's right there, with your car keys! Oh, YEEAHHH!

Keep two or three picks, maybe a bus token or quarters for the laundry in your pocket at all time attached to your keys with this handy little accessory. Sold only with a package of 5 JazzMando signature ProPlec picks, but for $10.00 you get the picks, pouch, AND domestic shipping.

You wouldn't leave home without your keys; now you don't have to leave without your pick either!

Order information: JazzMando 346Pick'nGo

Operators are standing up...

Posted by Ted at 06:51 AM

January 06, 2009 | Fill your lonely practice time with "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin."

Not to exploit the typical post-holiday depression, but if you're spending lonely evening hours in the darkness in the northern hemisphere, we've got the perfect indoor solution for you! Cheer up your winter confinement with some helpful exercises and programmed accomplishment from our featured book, "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin." Maybe you didn't get everything you wanted under the tree last month; this could well be the satisfaction you are missing!

From the September 2007 Mandolin Cafe Official Press Release: "Pacific, Mo.-- Mel Bay Publications, Inc. has announced the release of Ted Eschliman's new book, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin, 112-pages complete with music in standard notation, tablature, CD and web-based audio samples from JazzMando.com, Eschliman's personal mandolin web site.

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 also available on the internet."

If you'd like to support this site, we are still offering quick delivery on two versions, one unadulterated for $25 including domestic shipping, the other limited option at $35 for an autographed version, with $10 being donated to the Cool Mandolins "Mandolins for Cool Kids" scholarship fund. (International orders available to many countries available for an additional $10.)

Check out the support page with the lates additional audio tracks, Webtracks, including some versions of the material recorded by the world's top mandolinists. Tell your favorite artist he/she needs to add a track here, too!

More information: Getting Into Jazz Mandolin.

Some choose Slim Fast or the gym for their New Year's Resolutions. We choose FFcP conditioning...

Posted by Ted at 05:45 AM

January 04, 2009 | Don Stiernberg on MySpace

We'd like to welcome Chicago area Jazz Mandolin torch-bearer Don Stiernberg to MySpace.com. This has been a terrific resource especially for musicians seeking to expand their audience base, as well as connect with other musicians. We've had a JazzMando MySpace page, as well as a JazzMando Strings page for some time, and it's a terrific boundary breaking tool.

If you haven't already, sign up for your own free musician MySpace page; already on board? Hook up with to Don Stiernberg's, as well. If you like to know some of the other JazzMando Friends, check out our page, too! We've got some terrific jazz videos of the Don, and Paul Glasse, too!

Don Stiernberg MySpace
JazzMando MySpace

Now all we need to do is get Paul Glasse, Will Patton, and Michael Lampert to set one up, too!

Posted by Ted at 06:32 PM

January 02, 2009 | From the Nigerian prince who loves the jazz of music.

Gotta love the internet. So many informational treasures, new shopping arenas, communicational vistas... Of course it's all still laden with caveats and precautions, but we received a hilarious entry in our Contact Form from someone who calls himself, "Tazwell Minnit." Scam or prank? You make the call:

"Dear Friends, my name is Ndugood. I am a wealthy Nigerian prince who loves the jazz of music. I am seeking your help to move $200,000,000 from my checking account here in Nigeria to the United States.

I too love the jazz of music and am planning to flee to America to open many jazz clubs at which I would like you to perform. You will receive $42,000 a night, plus a meal. My new "Tribal Village Vanguard" clubs will be of great success and you will become rich like the rest of American jazz musicians. I have already applied for building code exemptions to allow thatched stages and the spearing of live animals.

But I desperately need your help. My tribe, the Swindlisi, a peaceful jazz-loving people, has been horribly oppressed by the ruling military junta, which despises the jazz of music. My father, an exiled king and booking agent, was recently imprisoned under the draconian "three gigs you're out" law. And now I must flee my beloved country with all of my improbable wealth. But I need help in moving it. I have so much money that it will not fit in the allotted two checked bags and one carry-on. I am therefor want to transer the money through your ATM system. (The Nigerian ATM system cannot exchange international currencies; it only converts "antelope to money").

So please to just provide me with your full name and address, social security number, bank account and PIN numbers. And you will become incredibly (literally) rich from playing many jazz gigs. (Note: normal Nigerian Musician's Union rules apply: three hour performances, two 15 minute breaks allowed, musicians to provide their own mosquito nets, one open fire per bandstand, one free meal plus anything you kill).

Act now. The first ten musicians to respond will receive a free copy of the Nigeria's Greatest Jazz Hits CD, by our beloved 'Disoriented' Gillespie Band, which contains the hits:

The Night Has A Thousand Flies
Goodbye Shrunken Head
Here's That Rainy Season
Just Tribesmen (Lovers No More)
Take the 'A' Trail
When I Fall In Quicksand
Half-Nelson Mandella
Blue Monkey
Leopard Skins and Moonbeams
Blue Mombossa
Almost Like Being In Lagos
Sunny Side of the Goatpath
I Didn't Know What Century It Was

Thank you for your many help. Your inordinately wealthy Nigerian brother, Prince Ndugood."

Nicely played, Taz.

Posted by Ted at 09:14 AM