Any expert mandolin players around?

[MeMySonAndI]

Or no so expert, any basic knowledge of them would be enough.

I used to play the mandolin as a teenager but as I thought myself to do it, I can not say that I had a comprehensive musical education in how to use it or even worse,how to make the best of it.

I have been toying with the idea of getting one and setting myself to learn to play properly this time. However... I have looked for someone who could teach me and aparently there is no one offering tutorials in it.

The questions I have are very basic:

-If I had to teach myself with a book, what book would you recommend?

• Any advise on brands and types. I use to have a Portuguese style one, I know the ball shapped florentine style doesn't agree with my body (I keep droping it) and that's all I know. I have seen some branded Stagg which I believe are from China and Hudson ones (and many other that look fantastic but are way out of my budget), do you have any suggestions on what to buy or what to avoid?

Many thanks

I taught myself basic mandolin with Simon Mayor's Mandolin Tutor.

Now that was quite disconcerting - read that as Simon Mayo's Mandolin Tutor..

I had to read it several times before I realised that it didn't say Simon Mayo's Mandolin Tutor

, now that I would listen to

Still trying to see why the Nickel Creek MP3 totally refuse to play in my computer

PuppyDogTails, where you an absolute beginner when you got that book? or had any other experience in a similar instrument? (trying to see if it would be OK for someone with very little knowledge as myself)

Still wondering about the mandola... does anybody know how different they are. There are very little books for the mandola so I was wondering if I could adapt from what is advised for the mandolin

I couldn't even play the recorder, I don't read music, not in the slightest bit musical but I had a friend who played and I just fell in love with the sound. I was surprised at how easily I picked it up. Since then DP has bought me a banjo and I've tried the same approach with zero success - I just can't get my head around it and definitely need to have lessons.

That's bloody impressive, puppy. What standard are you at with the mandolin now? and what style?

I plateaued (sp?), the book was a good way to start but then I reached the stage where I think I needed lessons which I never got round to. I want to play bluegrass but I'm years off! I really wish now that I'd learnt to play an instrument as a child.

You've given me a bit of a kick talking about it actually! I think there is a tutor locally who does both mandolin and banjo, I might give him a call.

Thank you for all your replies. this has been very informative. I have selected a mandolin and ordered a couple of books :-)

Thank you