Mandolins have quickly become one of the most beloved instruments in Irish traditional music. Their bright sound and compact size make them a natural fit for fiddle players as well as banjoists.
But if you plan to play in an Irish seisiun (session), you must learn how to switch tunes quickly – this means learning sets of reels, slides and polkas.
Mandolin Book
Mandolins have gained in popularity among Irish traditional musicians recently. Not only are their bright sound and compact size attractive features, but their GDAE tuning makes them particularly suitable for newcomers looking for an easier instrument to learn.
The mandolin is an exceptionally versatile instrument and often works in concert with other instruments like guitar or bodhran. There are various models of mandolin available and their prices depend upon brand, type, quality of construction and materials used.
Top of the range mandolins will cost quite a lot, but with some patience and shopping around for the right price it may be possible to secure one at an affordable price. An informative mandolin book can also provide invaluable knowledge about this ancient instrument.
Mandolin CD
The mandolin is an instrument with a distinct and compact sound, and has become particularly popular with Irish traditional musicians.
Mandolins and fiddles share similar left-hand fingering techniques, making transition to mandolins for Irish fiddle and banjo players seamless; both instruments share tuning to GDAE.
This mandolin CD provides an effective way of learning Irish music on the mandolin. Featuring popular tunes with guitar accompaniment, this album provides the ideal learning environment.
Kyser(r) Quick-Change is also included to aid players quickly switch keys without altering fingering patterns – an invaluable feature for beginners as well as advanced players! This tool makes for an outstanding addition to your instrument collection!
Mandolin DVD
Marla Fibish is one of the leading voices in Irish mandolin music, offering musicality and excitement not often found within traditional repertoire. She can be found playing on recordings by Noctambule, Three Mile Stone and her latest solo effort titled The Bright Hollow Fog.
This instructional DVD offers practical instruction in right and left-hand technique, rhythm, phrasing and musicality through nine session-friendly traditional tunes. Each tune begins playing at an upbeat tempo before close up shots show phrase-by-phrase playback and finally three times through at a moderate practice pace.
“The Star Above the Garter” is an iconic example of this. Unlike jigs, slides require an entirely different picking approach; its melody contains many triplet phrases which must be reconfigured to achieve its perfect feel on a mandolin for sale.
Mandolin Accessories
Mandolins are an increasingly popular choice for playing Irish music, and the McNeela Mandolin Store offers everything you need from beginner packs to improver packages to help elevate the experience.
One of the essential accessories is a quality mandolin. Finding an instrument that will add value and enhance your musical experiences will have an enormous effect on how well your performances turn out.
There is a variety of mandolins for sale and prices can range anywhere from $150 / EUR140 to several thousand dollars depending on type, model and quality preferences. Here are our recommendations on which model would best meet your needs:
No definitive answer exists when it comes to which mandolin you should buy; however, it would be prudent to explore both oval hole and F-style flat back instruments as both offer versatile sounds that work well for Celtic and Irish music genres.
