Table of Contents for Introduction to the Mandola

Part I:
"In the Beginning"
A Crosspicking Rendition
Orginal Melody
by Mickey Cochran
Chapter I
A. The State of the Mandola
1. Body Styles
2. Medium and Picks
3. Styles of Music Played

"Rich Traditions"
Where does the Mandola
Stand Today?

Mandolin Orchestras run Rampant Across the US!
Two Body Classifications for
Mandola
1. The Archtop
2. The Flattop

A variety of flatpicks are available in many shapes, sizes and thicknesses.
Choose one that best suits your own playing style.

There are many styles of music that can be pursued with a Mandola. If performed well, no matter what style of music you decide to play, your Mandola will ring true.

Listen, listen and listen more to all kinds of music. Imagine what a lead guitar or a saxophone solo would sound like on your Mandola. This means that as long as you're listening to music, you're training your Mandola ear.

Chapter II
A. Tuning Your Mandola
1. Standard Mandola Tuning
2. Tuning Methods
3. Tuning Tools The Electronic Tuner
4. Proper Mandola Intonation
Proper Mandola Set-Up
What "Action" means and
How to adjust for perfect intonation so that your Mandola plays in tune all the way up the neck.
How to play "Harmonics" to test for perfect intonation.

Chapter III
A. Holding the Mandola
B. Holding the Flatpick
C. Proper Right-Hand Position
D. Proper Left-Hand Position
E. Your First Exercise
Your First Right-Hand Exercise
to assist you in
Establishing timing and proper Right-Hand Technique.

Your First Left-Hand Exercise
to assist you in
Establishing timing and proper Left-Hand and Right-Hand Coordination.

Chapter IV
Technique Development
A. Scales
In the Keys of C, G, D & A
B. Chords
Progressions in C, G, D & A

C. Right-Hand Exercises
1. Down-Up Picking
2. Arpeggio Picking
3. Crosspicking
Crosspicking—
This approach to your Mandola sounds great when playing unaccompanied...and can also be used effectively for back-up and lead.

D. Left-Hand Exercises
1. Chromatic Exercise
2. Chordal Exercise
3. Hammer-On Exercise
4. Pull-Off Exercise
5. Slide Exercise

Left-Hand Chordal Exercises

A Ragtime Chord Progression

The Slide Technique

The Pull-Off Technique

The Hammer-On Technique

Part II
Chapter V:
Basic Melodies
A. "Soldier's Joy"
B. "Old Joe Clark"
C. "Boil Them Cabbage Down"

Chapter VI:
Advanced Melodies
A "Wayfarin' Stranger"
B. "Blackberry Blossom"
C. "Lincoln County Air"

Interlude: Scale Exercises Revisited
Scale Exercises Revisited
Further Exercises in
Scale Studies.

New Dimensions In Mandola
"The Battle of Rivendell"
An Original Melody
by Mickey Cochran
Fingerstyle Mandola

In Closing
Thanks for spending your time with me in learning to play your Mandola. I hope you've gained inspiration and have further desire to progress in your Mandola studies.
Hopefully I've accomplished my goal in providing a methodology approach to learning by including many daily exercises which contribute to a solid foundation in becoming an accomplished Mandola Player. Keep on Pickin', Mickey

An Introduction to the Mandola DVD
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Length: Approx. 1 Hour & 45 Minutes
Published by: Mystic West Productions