John Carlini opens personal audio "Vault"
We've had the privilege of connecting with East Coast guitarist and arranger John Carlini. We've already mentioned on the site his collaborations with jazz mandolin Read more»
09.03.10
Alternate routes
You may not be aware of this, but we currently have over 1300 pages of news, tips, and reviews on the site. It doesn't hurt 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."
Of course you could also save a buck (we are already selling it 25% off here on the site) and include a copy of "Getting into Jazz Mandolin" for a friend too. This sale ends Monday November 30, so don't wait. Use "THANX30" for your coupon code, and specify "Black Friday Free Shipping" at checkout.
Or, you could buy one of these for your Christmas, instead...
Interesting take on the social aspects of mandolin clubs in today's Seacoastonline.com article, "Exeter had Mandolin Clubs," where the early 20th century incarnation of the light profile mandolin is compared to the present day software game, "Guitar Hero." Author Barbara Rimkunas who is curator of the Exeter (New Hampshire) Historical Society takes the arguable position that the mandolin was more a catalyst of social interaction than music creation, the "club" element of the Mandolin Club phenomenon was far more about gathering than developing talent.
She further suggests the injection of jazz into the mainstream, with its louder drums and saxophone altered the taste of its participants and in the 20's the quieter instruments were abandoned to collecting dusts in the attic. Of course, we'd advocate that current versions of the mandolin with the benefits of amplification puts it on the same literal sonic playing field today's jazz ensembles, but that's another story.
It is interesting, her take on how easy the mandolin can be learned; we've always maintained that the simple symmetry of the four course 5ths tuning makes it a comfortable instrument to pick up physically and understand intellectually.
November 25, 2009 | Fiddler's Green Music Shop, Austin TX
A few blocks off the North Mo-Pac Expressway, nestled off of West 35th Street near Hyde Park is the Austin Texas acoustic musician's dream, JazzMando Sponsor Fiddlers' Green Music Shop. The Austin music scene is world renowned for its vibrant creativity and artistic prowess; you'd expect nothing less than a first class music store like Fiddler's Green to support it.
This is a place where staff and clientele live the life, walk the talk, and great lines of instruments like Huss and Dalton, Martin, Phoenix, JBovier, Eastman, Weber, Breedlove, and "hometeam" Ellis and Collings are there to sustain it. In the video library embedded on his website you can get a great taste of the incredible vibe created by owner Clay Leavitt, where instruments that hang on walls are not just a commodity but tools to a musically entrenched lifestyle.
These guys support live music like no other, with frequent workshops and clinics, lessons, repairs, live jams, and a play as much as you want showroom stacked with a host of well-tuned world class instruments, a veritable Disneyland for the acoustic musician.
Website: Fiddlers' Green Music Shop Fiddler's Green Music Shop
1809 W.35th Street
Austin, TX 78703 (512) 452-3900
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 6, Thursday 10 - 8, Sunday 12 - 5
Fiddlersgreen@Mac.com
We are always enchanted by artists who can take an instrument out of predictable context and create a whole new way of looking at its function. This is also significant to mandolinists who seek to push the boundaries of its capabilities, and more traditional roles.
We found some great out-of-the box thinking and musical inspiration in this video from minimalists Bethany & Rufus, in their interpretation of the folk classic, Nine Hundred Miles. Bethany Yarrow, daughter of Peter Yarrow of folk legends Peter, Paul & Mary, is joined by ground-breaking cellist Rufus Cappodicia in this enthralling performance. We've enjoyed researching their other CD discography and YouTube entries.
We haven't figured out whether to label this "Techno Cello" or "Folk Trance." Nonetheless, it's terrific.
November 21, 2009 | Introducing new builder Brian Lock
Terrific article by Durango Telegraph columnist, Jaime Becktel on the philosophy of upcoming mandolin builder Brian Lock, "Working Some Mandolin Magic." We get a provocative glimpse into the life of a wood junkie, one who's love for wood literally started on the wilderness trails as a seasonal worker for the Forest Service. His own self-training as a builder would later be enhanced by experiences with such mandolin luminaries as John Monteleone in 2005, Mike Kemmnitzer ( Nugget) in 2006 , and with Steve Gilchrist in 2009, manifesting itself into his own line of mandolins.
From the article, "'What turns me on about creating instruments is that the process incorporates all the artistic elements I love,' Locke says. 'When I'm building, I'm using a lot of my senses. Touch is huge, feeling the tops and testing the flexibility. At first I was caught up in the technical side of the process, but then I started listening to subtle resonances, feeling the contours of the wood and using my fingers as built-in calipers. There's something so satisfying in using the senses rather than some mechanical tool. It really brings you into your work and infuses your essence into the finished product.'"
We are intrigued by his balance of tradition and innovation and hope to be able to bring a hands-on review of his craft. Meantime, check out his recently premiered website: Lock Mandolins
Reader feedback from our "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" book is great to share; we feel these stories may equip you in hearing how others are walking the path of mandolin fretboard awakening. The latest, from California:
"Just got my hands on the book this past week and I got to read the intro to the FFcP position, and practiced my first Ionian Mode 3rd Finger scales! I wanted to give you my first impressions as you seemed interested in getting that feedback. Right now my improvising skills revolve around closed position pentatonic scales and flattening some of the notes along the way, in combination with familiar notes I know from the fiddle tunes I memorized... I'm excited to expand my improv toolbox!
I already like hearing the different relationships between notes and what those relationships are while I'm practicing (3rds, 4ths) and having the autopilot breaks of the straight scale itself up and down. Its a nice way of keeping the brain engaged during scale practice (I never practiced scales much for this reason)." J.H.
We trust this is a familiar story. The book was written for the player who is probably already doing some experimenting, but we wanted to codify a methodical approach, and make systematic learning more efficient and effective.
If you already have the book, gift a copy to a friend. Spread the love: List $19.95 on sale for $15.00!
Here: Getting Into Jazz Mandolin
November 17, 2009 | Rigel 2-Point Siblings; R-100 & R-200
We've come across a stunning pair of Rigel "R" series instruments for sale, an R-100 mandolin and big sister R-200 Mandola, literally made from the same hunk of wood. The seller has listed these in the MandolinCafe.com online Classifieds, and we were intrigued. According to the seller, this is their story:
Click pictures for closeup view
I met Peter Mix when living in Vermont and went to Meet Pete Langdell and see the small shop when it was in Hyde Park, VT. The shop was a friendly sun-lit beehive. The whole concept of the Rigel, the various stages of construction was great to see. I spent some time in the back room playing different styles of mandolin and loved the whole pure sound of the R-100. Pete and Peter played some too to make sure I heard the true sound. The idea of a custom set came from that meeting.
The design on the head of the mandos was an experimental design based on the star, Rigel. I waited several months until they could find a suitable piece of birds eye maple large enough to make both instruments. The mandolin was born first, the mandola came a good 6 months later. Both instruments have had very light use, due to some joint problems that kept me from playing any instruments for a few years. I love them dearly and want them to find a good home."
The seller's $5500 asking price is really is a decent buy for this kind of "Collector's" set. We've yet to be disappointed by a Rigel "R" series instrument. These two are especially stunning visually; let us know if you become the new lucky owner!
Interesting online article in Intelligent Life, the quarterly lifestyle and culture webzine, on the topic of the perceived waning viability of jazz. Certainly, every genre of music will have its elemental Puritanism, the desire (and ultimately dying wish) to preserve and protect the "true" composure of its stylings in original form. The Bluegrass "Police" don't want any variation from how Bill did it, "no part of nothing,' and today's jazz purists often want to ignore the invading facets of hip hop, smooth jazz, third-stream, and rock in roll in exchange for preserving "traditional" jazz.
Like it or not music evolves. Some would reject the mandolin as a viable medium for jazz. Don Stiernberg tells of a discussion with a programmer from a popular Arizona jazz station that outright rejected his music, let alone the notion of a mandolin being capable of bearing the jazz message. We share with him the dream with him that someday our children will think of the mandolin as much a legitimate instrument for the genre as a trumpet or sax.
That's why we're here.
Meantime, read this interesting article; seems jazz has struggles of its own: Jazz is not dead.
An important resource on the JazzMando website is the extensive accompaniment tracks for learning 'ii V7 I' patterns and turnarounds. Our good friend, talented New Orleans multi-instrumentalist, John Eubanks has recorded some terrific background tracks with bassist Jesse Boyd for working out the riffs in the "Getting Into Jazz Mandolin" book, or simply inventing your own.
What happened was in producing these tracks, we were unaware of the 70 minute audio capacity of the whole book project; we had produced way over the limit. In trimming the CD down to size, we made the decision to offer these as web freebies, as well as possible enticement to buy the book. Either way, these are great for you to download into your computer or favorite MP3 player and have around.
Look for these and sample audio on the page from terrific mandolinists, including Don Stiernberg, Will Patton, Jamie Masefield, and a host of others to help understand the end results of digging into these materials.
November 11, 2009 | Rigel R-200 Mandola; the 10-string project
We've recently acquired a luscious Vintage Creme R-200 mandola and decided to make it a conversion project, enlisting the services of the 21st century visionary and legendary Vermont builder Pete Langdell who is responsible for the original design of the instrument. The bigger sister to the R-100 mandolin, it bears homage to earlier 20th century body styles, with a sleek, modern twist.
We've always appreciated the ergonomic comfort of the Rigel neck and fingerboard, the rest of the instrument balances well, too. That we already like its lower register, it seems perfectly logical to add the upper E course and make it and effective 5-course instrument. Also in the plans is the Novak "fanned-fret" system, more commonly being adopted, with such recent premium builders as Lawrence Smart and James Condino also recently offering this contemporary functional flair in their 10-strings.
We'll keep you abreast of developments as the project unfolds.
November 9, 2009 | Announcing December delivery on JBovier E-mandos!
At the Summer NAMM show in Nashville we witnessed the latest fruits of the marketing genius of Jeff Cowherd of JBovier Mandolins, breaking the story of his new line of "step-up" caliber electric mandolins. We were very impressed and are pleased to report these will be available for sale through select dealers in December, including The Acoustic Music Company, Elderly Strings, the Mando Shop, and Dietze Music.
The final review process initiated some tweaks and upgrades to assure optimal customer satisfaction, and despite the final pricing being slightly higher than anticipated, these are still an incredible bargain for a premium electric, especially since they include a premium bag. The following are pics and specs for your enjoyment. We look forward to an official and thorough hands-on review soon!
4-String List $849, Street Price $679
5-String List $949, Street Price $779
(Note above picture is original prototype; enhancements in production model includes double picukups not pictured)
Universal Specs:
* Wilkinson "J-805" Tuners
* Dual "JB-53" Custom Pickups = (+/-) 6K each
* (1) Volume Control = 500K
* (1) Tone Control = 500K
* 3-way Switch = Neck PU - Both (hum cancelling) - Bridge PU
* Chrome Bridge & Saddles
* Chrome Control Knobs
* Chrome Strap Buttons
* Chrome Neck Plate (back)
* Bone Nut = 28mm (4-string) 31.25mm (5-string)
* Solid Basswood Body
* Solid Maple Neck
* Maple Headstock Face + Black "JBovier" script
* Radiused Fretboard
* .080" Frets
* Bolt-On Neck
* Strings (factory) = .010 - .015 - .025 - .039 (4-string)
.010 - .015 - .025 - .039 - .050 (5-string)
* Colors:"Vintage Cream," "Classic Sunburst"
_________________________________________________________________
Variant Specs:
"EMC" (Electric Mando Caster)
* Body shape similar to vintage Fender Electric Mandolin
* Tortoise pick-guard with 3-way switch, Tone, & Volume controls attached
* Body cavity "routed" out under pick-guard for aftermarket pickup customization
* Output jack mounted on pick-guard
* Slender headstock shape with 4-to-a-side tuners (5-to-a-side on "EMC-5" model)
* Maple Fretboard Click pictures for closeup
"ELS" (Electric Leo Smith)
* Body shaped as if "LEO" Fender collaborated with Paul Reed "SMITH"
* No Pick-guard
* 3-way switch, Tone, & Volume Controls mounted directly on body
* Wiring for pickups & controls runs through body, to access plate on back
* Output jack mounted in the rim of the body near endpin / strap button
* Small contemporary shaped headstock with 2-to-a-side tuners
* Rosewood Fretboard
* Truss-rod cover Click pictures for closeup
Custom colored E-mandos (with various pickguard colors and either white or black pickups) in Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Pink, Silver, & Black Pearl (metallic) will also be available for special orders.
JBovier Gig-Bags:
Premium, thickly padded (20+mm) gig-bags with the "JBovier" script logo will be included with each E-mando. These photos show them in black, but they will actually be Burgundy exterior with black trim. These gig-bags will also accommodate JBovier ACOUSTIC "A" & "F" style mandolins. Retail $59.00, MAP $49.00 if purchased seperately.
November 7, 2009 | Danny Williams, Baritone Mandolin
We'd like to introduce you to the talents of mulit-instrumentalist and 5-string guru Danny Williams. Danny studied at Eastern Kentucky University, Snead State in Alabama and South Plains College in Texas. He specialized in performance and music theory, especially jazz theory. His love for the mandolin began 11 years ago, coincidently parallel on the timeline to the beginnings of JazzMando.com.
Williams teaches at the Lexington Music Academy in Lexington, Kentucky, offering private lessons in theory, mandolin, bass, and guitar, teaching all genres and all levels. He uses the concepts of theory to help students grow as musicians and improvisers. "I really love teaching people to be better musicians even if it means you want to do it for a career or just to release some stress from a long day."
Danny has a website, and in addition to his creative interpretations performing on the lower register electric baritone mandolin (tuned GDAEB), has started up his own "Lessons" contribution to the cyberworld. For now, sit back and enjoy the luscious voicings of his interpretation of "I Fall in Love Too Easily."
November 5, 2009 | Consumer alert redux: D strings on the JM11
You may recall we had some issues last spring with size of the loops on the JM11 JazzMando flatwound mandolin string. The good news is with the new jig they have to make these, loop size is no longer an issue (see archive story). Unfortunately, another problem that has plagued our last batch of 200 sets is an intermittent incidence of flawed string cores on the D strings.
What is happening is the string will not intonate correctly and as you move up the fret the strings will be out of tune from each other. It's not a nut or bridge slot issue, it's the string core, and you will notice this immediately. It either works or it doesn't, but there is no way to know without putting it on. The don't deteriorate over time, they simply don't play in tune.
We'll also point out it's still rare. We've only had 4 reports (out of around 100), but we want you to be aware of it. Labella is taking care of this by sending us some replacement D strings. If you do have a defective string, email us right away, and we'll get a replacement string out in the mail the next day.
These handwound strings are not easy to manufacture; the precision necessary for a flatwound string this high and pressure so intense is a challenge, though that's still not an excuse for a bad string.
We want to make this right. Everyone who has reported this issue so far has been happy to get the replacements, because they still like the strings. We're glad it's worth the hassle.
For your listening pleasure, the Don Stiernberg Trio captured in a 59 minute podcast with bassist, Jim Cox, and Andy Brown on guitar. The live Madison, WI performance is a "batch of tunes" (premier material!), stories of playing with Jethro Burns, audience banter, and the signature charm of one of the world's leading jazz mandolinists. The show is an episode of MAD TOAST LIVE!, a live audience music, talk, and variety show with hosts, Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines.
November 1, 2009 | David Grisman & Co: Django Recording Session
An almost dreamlike living room studio rendition of a tremendous Django tune with none other than the likes of mandolin master Dave Grisman slinging his ground-breaking Giacomel space-mando, along with Django Jazz giants, Robin Nolan, Frank Vignola, Michael Papillo. Some pretty nice tone there; this is about as good as it gets:
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November 29, 2009 | Mel Bay Black Friday: 30% off!
This is a place where staff and clientele live the life, walk the talk, and great lines of instruments like Huss and Dalton, Martin, Phoenix, JBovier, Eastman, Weber, Breedlove, and "hometeam" Ellis and Collings are there to sustain it. In the video library embedded on his website you can get a great taste of the incredible vibe created by owner Clay Leavitt, where instruments that hang on walls are not just a commodity but tools to a musically entrenched lifestyle.
From the article, "'What turns me on about creating instruments is that the process incorporates all the artistic elements I love,' Locke says. 'When I'm building, I'm using a lot of my senses. Touch is huge, feeling the tops and testing the flexibility. At first I was caught up in the technical side of the process, but then I started listening to subtle resonances, feeling the contours of the wood and using my fingers as built-in calipers. There's something so satisfying in using the senses rather than some mechanical tool. It really brings you into your work and infuses your essence into the finished product.'" 
I already like hearing the different relationships between notes and what those relationships are while I'm practicing (3rds, 4ths) and having the autopilot breaks of the straight scale itself up and down. Its a nice way of keeping the brain engaged during scale practice (I never practiced scales much for this reason)." J.H.
Page 63: 2nd FFcP Bb Major 'ii V7 I' 
Williams teaches at the Lexington Music Academy in Lexington, Kentucky, offering private lessons in theory, mandolin, bass, and guitar, teaching all genres and all levels. He uses the concepts of theory to help students grow as musicians and improvisers. "I really love teaching people to be better musicians even if it means you want to do it for a career or just to release some stress from a long day."
