Wisdom of the Wood's Introduction to the Violin & Fiddle Instructional Video Lessons

Testimonials:

Date: Fri, 02 May 2003 21:34:19 -0700
Subject: crosspicking recording(s)

Hi Mickey,
Your crosspicking book is a great teaching resource has been one of the most useful mando books i have encountered. Yes, I have most every McReynolds, Tiny Moore, Grisman, Wakefield, Thiele, and Kenny Hall recording with crosspicking available, but here is the inevitable request:
Pending your CD to accompany your great crosspicking book, can I buy ANY recording of you crosspicking one or more of the pieces from your book. I really love the selections, but am finding it a bit slow going without a recording to guide me. I would not mind making a fair contribution toward your next recording effort if you could sell me even an unedited cut or two. thanks, john comstock

Greetings John,

Thanks so much for your kind enthusiasm regarding my crosspicking instructional material.

Yes, the crosspicking accompaniment CDs, for the "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" and the "Guitar Crosspicking Technique", are in planning. Therefore, please stay tuned with us on their release.

Now, I have performed a few of the crosspicking mandolin, and guitar, pieces on our website as instrument video samplers:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm

Unfortunately, I do not have them all documented...and, therefore, am not too sure of each instrumental's location.

You're welcome to go through these samplers, at the above link, to see if you discover any of them...I will also try to add a few more crosspicking arrangements in upcoming video samplers soon to be posted.

Keep on pickin', Mickey

Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:16:02 -0600

Mickey,

I received your video last week on Introduction to Mandolin. I have been learning to play for a little over two years and have learned mostly from Bert Casey's method. However, there are a lot of holes in my playing ability that you have provided the answers. I could not believe what I was watching. Almost every question that I have about methodology was answered. And guess what, it is not that hard. I really believe that you have provided me with the tools to really become a really good mandolin player. I consider myself high average on what I have already learned but this approach will do nothing but make me exponentially better at playing. I spend at least an hour each day practicing, and now this hour will provide much, much more fruit!!!!

Kelly Pugh

LEARNING TO PLAY MANDOLIN SHOULD BE FUN AND EASY! THIS VIDEO PROVES THIS TO BE TRUE.

If you're picking up the mandolin for the first time, here's the answer! A video to lead you by the hand through all of the preliminaries of basic mandolin technique leading you up to an intermediate level. Learn all about chording, rhythm, scales and playing leads.

This video focuses on good form such as proper left and right-hand techniques that establish proper technique. Learn good habits from the start...which will make you a better mandolinist in the future. Don't limit your playing capabilities by acquiring pooer habits.

A video instructional is the next best thing to having a personal instructor. You can play back sections of the video untiol you're completely comfortable with each stair-stepped lesson. In other words, you can ask the video instructor to repeat a phrase or a discussion of technique as many times as you deem necessary to ensure that you've completely learned the lesson before moving on.

NEW! Instructional Video for Mandolin

"Intro to the Mandolin" Video
by Mickey Cochran

Plenty of chapters that cover every facet of mandolin playing for the complete beginner:
Proper Left-Hand Positioning
Proper Right-Hand Positioning
Flatpicking Direction
The Many Ways to Tune Your Mandolin
Tuning Tools
Learning Your First Melodies
Exercises to Build Solid Technique
Many Melodies to Further Technique

This video's objective is to offer the complete beginner an easier approach to learning to play the mandolin. In other words, it's the least painful approach to learning to play. This video bypasses the normal frustrations encountered within the learning process. This is not a video that progresses too quickly...it offers a step-by-step approach to ensure that you're gaining proper technique, and a solid foundation, before going on to tackle more difficult exercises and melodies.

All basic Chord positions within the four most common keys of G, C, D and A are visually presented. Upon learning these chords, you'll learn to combine these easy chord positions to rhythm techniques of your picking hand. How to strum in time so that you're better able to play back-up to vocalists and other lead instrument players. This rhythm technique will also assist you with your timing so that you're better able to play melodies. Most of these chords only require two fingers to play...and with your mandolin properly tuned, which is taught in earlier chapters, you will find yourself sounding like a pro simply strumming these chords in time.

Additionally, this video introduces exercises that make the learning process far less frustrating. By the time you've accomplished the exercises, melodies become far easier to tackle. Basic exercises and advanced exercises are introduced throughout the video establishing a strong foundation for learning many other melodies on your own. A methodology approach focuses on building technique first and playing melodies later. Learn the basic building blocks of playing before attempting to play over your head. You'll find the learning process fun and easy if approached by this stair-step process. Additionally, a methodology approach focuses on technique so that you've gained proper facility as you grow into an accomplished master of the mandolin.

A Mandolin Introduction

If you're seriously considering taking up the mandolin, but are not completely sure, this video is a great introduction...it reveals the many possibilities of what a mandolin can do...Many think of the mandolin as a Bluegrass instrument...the mandolin truly does serve well within Bluegrass settings... This video will convince you to pick up the mandolin and inspire you to practice everyday...so, if you want, view the video first before buying your mandolin. Upon being inspired by the video, you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting your new mandolin to arrive so that you can try out the techniques displayed on the video.

To Purchase Online go to: mysticwestproducts.com

NEW! Instructional Video for Mandolin.

ENTIRE TABLE OF CONTENTS for "Intro to the Mandolin" Video: