Speaking of "Playing Musically," we just finished a four part series on that very topic. Might be a good place to start your long journey through this resource.
Explore: Tips archives
Speaking of "Playing Musically," we just finished a four part series on that very topic. Might be a good place to start your long journey through this resource.
Explore: Tips archives
Eva's playing is spectacular and musically wise beyond her years. We wrote one of our wordiest reviews ever, the superlatives were a challenge to condense.
Read review: Sharon by the Sea
Purchase Information
Artist website: Eva Scow
"Mandolins, guitars, and the physics of both have been such a large part of my life since 1999 that it is hard for me to give a concise statement of what I do, what I think, and what guides my lutherie," confesses Dr. Cohen. His interest in mandolins and guitars dates back to his years in school in Florida State University, but building would not be his full-time career until retiring from teaching college chemistry in 2003.
You might recall the good doctor's work was profiled in the December 2001 issue of Mandolin Quarterly; "A Scientific Approach to Mandolin Construction." He also submitted an abstract in 2003 (Acoustical Science and Technology, 24, 1, pp 1-6) with Thomas Rossing using electronic TV holography studying the vibrational modes of four mandolins and a mandola. "The lowest (0,0) modes may appear as a triplet (as in a guitar) or as a doublet. The modal frequencies correlate well with the frequency response curves. Sound spectra indicate that sound radiation is quite uniform over the 0-5 kHz range with some roll-off above 2.5 kHz."
We're looking forward to bringing you more of the information and art of Dave Cohen with an official review of one of his instruments in the not-too-distant future.
Stay tuned...
Builder's website: Cohen Musical Instruments
Read up on other world class mandolin builders:
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
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!
]]>"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
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
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
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
]]>Luthier's website: www.regisbonilha.com
Blog insights: regisbonilha.blogspot
View thread: Winter NAMM 2009
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
]]>
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
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...
]]>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...