Are you an aspiring mandolin player who has no idea where to start? Then this is the place for you. You may be thinking that the mandolin is too complicated an instrument to learn and play. Luckily enough, this is an incorrect assumption. Despite its unique shape and sound, the mandolin is one instrument you can learn and master within a few months. If you put in the work, be consistent and enjoy yourself along the way you should be able to get a few tunes out of the mandolin in no time at all.
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Are mandolins hard to learn?
No, mandolins are not hard to learn. You will have to put some time and effort in though to master this little beast of an instrument. The mandolin is compact and lightweight enough to carry it with you and practise at any time. If you are consistent, you could learn the mandolin in roughly three months.
How Long Does It Take to Learn the Mandolin?
Beginners always want to know how long it would take before considering themselves good players of the mandolin. The answer is simple: it depends on the level of commitment and the determination you put in. If you invest your time in practising for a couple of hours a day, it will take you a shorter period than someone that plays for forty-five minutes a day. If you have a background in playing other stringed instruments like the guitar or the violin, you are likely to take a shorter time than a complete beginner.
Typically, if a student practices playing the mandolin for 30 minutes to an hour every day, it would take him or her just 3 months to acquire enough skill to play the instrument with confidence. The more one practices, the more they develop their skill set to a point where playing comes naturally.
If you want to learn to play the mandolin as quickly as possible, here are some pointers for you:
- Learn how to hold the instrument properly. How you grip the mandolin, is the first and most essential step to becoming a proficient mandolin player.
- Take time and play slow until you learn the proper technique. Playing each note accurately will speed up the learning process in the long run.
- Play with more advanced people- they will push you to do better as you learn from them.
Is the Mandolin Easier to Learn than guitar?
The mandolin is easier to play than the guitar mainly because it has fewer strings than the latter. In particular, the mandolin has four sets of strings, while guitars have between six and twelve. The more strings an instrument has, the more difficult the chords are to learn, which gives the mandolin an upper hand. Besides, you would be required to master a variety of techniques before you can play the guitar. These include fingerpicking, plucking, string bending and a few more.
The mandolin is very melody-based, so many tunes you can learn will be restricted to playing single notes. On the other hand, the guitar tends to be more rhythmic if you are playing acoustic and melodic and rhythmic if you are playing electric guitar. The guitar has many more styles and techniques that will need to be learned masterfully.
The aspect that would make learning the mandolin challenging is the double-string feature. Training your fingers to get used to holding double strings is no easy feat, mainly because the frets are very close to each other. If you have larger hands, the learning process may be even slower for you. Both learning the guitar and mandolin will be painful at first until you build up callousness on your fingers. The mandolin has been known to feel like a cheese grater to the beginner. It’s dual strings and may take a little longer to get used to.
Can you teach yourself mandolin?
It is possible to teach yourself how to play the mandolin. That said there are a few things that may make learning the mandolin easier for a beginner. For instance, whether or not you have played another stringed instrument before is a significant determining factor. Having a musical history will make it easier for you to grasp concepts without needing guidance from an expert. Still, if you work hard enough, and keep at it, you should pick it up quickly.
Today, you can use very many places to teach yourself, such as YouTube, which is known for creating self-taught experts in various fields. When it’s all said and done, it is highly advisable to find a good and reliable music teacher to at least teach you the basics of the instrument. Without a solid base, it often becomes difficult to progress on your own. Fortunately, technology is so advanced that you can learn from the comfort of your home through online classes and skype.
Beginner Tips for Learning the mandolin
Learning how to play an instrument can be easy or hard depending on the approach you take. While a mandolin is a relatively easy instrument to learn, it could be difficult if you do not have a process to it. Here are tips to guide you as you begin learning the instrument:
Choose the Right Mandolin
Once you have chosen a musical style to work with, choose a mandolin best suited for that style. It is true that you can play any music genre with any type of mandolin, but some compliment specific genres. There are unique shapes that distinguish different types of mandolins, for example, tear-shaped and bowl-backed mandolins. These mandolins have very different musical characteristics. For instance, bowl-backed mandolins are preferred by most for classical music.
Use Light Strings
The double-string feature of mandolins may be the hardest bit of learning the instrument. Plucking two strings at once is no easy task, especially for a beginner. It requires more pressure than on other instruments, which is painful to your fingers. It is advisable to start off with light strings, build up some strength and calluses before changing to heavier gauge strings.
Find an Experienced Player to Teach You
While it is totally possible to learn by yourself, especially if you have musical history, it helps to have a teacher. As a beginner, you may overlook the basic mistakes you are making. A teacher/ instructor can guide you through common pitfalls and traps. They also can stop you from developing habits that will be detrimental to your playing further down the line.
Practice, Practice and Practice Some More
Like every other skill, learning how to play an instrument may take some time depending on how much work you put in. Be kind to yourself and take it a day at a time. People don’t always get it right the first time. Either way, practise as much as you can.
Benefits of Learning the mandolin
Why would you want to learn an instrument? There are many reasons why learning an instrument is good for you. Here are five of them:
It Is Good for Your Mental Health
Playing an instrument creates a heightened state of awareness which has similar effects to meditation. Playing the mandolin daily, for instance, has tremendous therapeutic capabilities: it reduces stress levels, depression, anxiety and even insomnia.
An Opportunity to Express Your Creativity
Just like painting, playing an instrument is equivalent to a blank canvas where you have the liberty to go wild. Playing the mandolin gives you a chance to tap into your creativity by trying new chords, melodies, tunes and progressions.
Development of Concentration
Playing the mandolin is an activity that requires you to be in the moment. Every time you play it, the parts of your brain that affect your muscles and cognitive function are stimulated. Therefore, the more you practise, the better your concentration and memory levels become.
Build Confidence
The better you become at playing the mandolin, the more confident you become at performing for other people. Essentially, you will feel more comfortable in your own skin, which will enhance your overall self-confidence.
Making New Friends
People with similar interests connect with each other easily. Therefore, when you start playing an instrument, it is highly likely that you will meet other players and make friends with them. Who knows? You might even decide to start a band together!
Conclusion
If you are a beginner or a person that aspires to become a mandolin player, hopefully, this article has enlightened you. Keep in mind that consistency and commitment are the keys to gaining skill and confidence while learning a new instrument. So whichever instrument you pick, have fun, you won’t regret it.
