I got the opportunity to play a little mandolin for a performance in April and so I thought Why not? It tunes like a violin but there’s been a learning curve working with double strings (each string doubles so it gives that very specific mandolin sound) and a pick, since I never played anything that needs picked. My son who is quite experienced gave me a good start with pick suggestions and helped me choose a decent mandolin. My particular performance requires the Italian-style tremelo and so it’s been particularily challenging as the pick is worked with the right hand and I’m very left-handed. But I’m getting there.
Here’s a picture of my handsome mandolin, but I haven’t named it. One of my very best friends names her instruments. If I did name it I wouldn’t remember the name anyway. To me it’s like naming your car or goldfish…I barely came up with a name for my Jack Russell– Jackie of course! My other dog, Bonnie, came with her name from the shelter. My kids were lucky that I was more interested in naming them or maybe they’d be called Girl and Boy!
My mandolin for a show in April