Q: I have been learning mandolin for a year or so and have just purchased your Complete Mandolinist and already it has helped me in regards to tremolo technique especially, but in many other ways too. I live in a rural area of Australia where I could find only one tutor of mandolin and to my dismay on buying your book I find I have been using different fingers for the frets from those you advocate in your book. This explains why I have increasingly been having difficulties playing pieces that incorporate the 7th fret in the music. I had believed I just required more practice or was perhaps not suited to the mandolin (despite loving it!).
On buying your book and trying your fingering (for example, previously I had been advised to use my pinkie for the 5th fret hence had problems fretting the 7th) I now am able to play songs that I had believed were beyond me.
Thank you so much for providing such a fine resource in your book, especially for people who may not have ready access to good tutors. Apologies for the length of the email but your book is a delight.
Regards,
K.
A: You are so welcome! I find more and more that my method is being used by folks w/out teachers. I’m happy and surprised that it has found its way to Oz! There’s more helpful info on my webpage if you care to investigate.