W is d o m o f t h e W o o d P u b l i s h i n g
Wisdom of the Wood


This DVD can be purchased direct online from: Mystic West Products or from one of our dealers listed at:
Wisdom of the Wood Dealer Listing

NOW SHIPPING!!!

An Introduction to the Mandola DVD (or Tenor Banjo):
Retails: 39.95
Length: Approx. 1 Hour & 45 Minutes
Published by: Wisdom of the Wood

Available on DVD Format
Recorded in High Fidelity Digital
Approx. 1 Hour & 45 Minutes
Level: Beginning to Intermediate (with segments of interest to the pro)
Available Now!
A great instructional tape for Irish Tenor Banjo tuning: C G D A

Product Reviews of the "Intro to Mandola DVD"

Here it is! The first production ever done for Mandola introducing and instructing the aspiring Mandola player.

  NEW! Instructional DVD for Mandola

"An Introduction to the Mandola" DVD
by Mickey Cochran
We're proud to say, this is the first instructional DVD ever offered in the history of mandola.


Above Photo: Mickey Cochran with a Weber Hyalite Mandola.
Photographer: Alex Kinnan.

Seven chapters in all covering the following and then some:

Overview

This DVD's objective is to offer a complete overview of the mandola. From a basic point of view, offering set-up instructions and proper positioning for both right hand and left. With this DVD, you'll learn all of your basic chord positions, which cover most major keys, and all of your basic scale patterns within these same keys.

Chord Positions

All basic Chord positions within the most common keys of C, G, D & A are visually presented. Since the mandola is tuned one fifth lower than mandolin, the DVD also explains that every mandolin player can easily adapt to the new inversions be learning to transpose chords. If you're already playing mandolin, this DVD will illustrate all of the major chord positions as properly laid out for ease of play on the mandola, only in a different key, eliminating the frustration normally encountered when trying to relate the mandola to the standard mandolin. If you're just starting out, and do not already play a mandolin, you'll find this mandola course a great road map with a thorough approach to playing chords and chord progressions.

A Songbook

Additionally, this DVD 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 melodies and advanced melodies are introduced establishing a strong foundation for learning many other melodies on your own. One of the most revealing segments within this DVD is "New Dimensions in Mandola" which illuminates how you can approach your mandola beyond simple flatpicking.

We're proud to say, this is the first instructional DVD ever offered in the history of mandola. We also have a the first ever book coming out on "How to Play Mandola" so stay tuned.

Testimonials:

Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 07:50:20 -0700 (PDT)

Good Morning Mickey,

Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed your video "An Introduction to the Mandola." Having played mandolin for several years, I wanted to extend my musical range and thought the mandola would be a logical, worthwhile pursuit. I must tell you what a valuable, concise, pithy resource you've created. I found the information to be extradordinarily useful and was amazed at the amount of material covered in slightly less than two hours. While the initial information presented would be useful to a novice player, you've wasted little time on repetition and the tape quickly progressed beyond my skills. By the time I was 50 minutes into it I encountered material which will keep me occupied for a long, long time to come in learning to master this instrument. I found the technique sections dealing with arpeggio and cross picking most valuable and the "food for thought" offered in Chapter VII, New Dimensions in Mandola, was worth the purchase price in and of itself. Again, thank you for creating this wonderful resource and I'll look forward to your future productions. Errol Dimenstein

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This DVD can be purchased direct online from: Mystic West Products or from one of our dealers listed at:
Wisdom of the Wood Dealer Listing

  NEW! Instructional DVD for Mandola
(can also be used effectively for Tenor Banjo in C G D A Tuning).


"Intro to the Mandola" DVD
by Mickey Cochran


Click on Image for Enlarged View

Published By Wisdom of the Wood
Written by Mickey Cochran

Produced by: Wisdom of the Wood In Association with Sound to Earth, Ltd.

  • ENTIRE CONTENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
    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

    Thanks To:
    Sound To Earth, Ltd.
    "Makers of Weber Mandolins"
    2900 Frontage Rd., Bldg B-Mezz
    Phone: 888-886-7598
    Web: www.soundtoearth.com

    Instruments Used in this DVD include:
    1. Weber Hyalite Mandola
    2. Weber Bridger Mandola
    3. Weber Big Sky Mandola

    For further info on these Mandolas
    Contact: Sound to Earth
    Phone: 888-886-7598
    Web: www.soundtoearth.com


    This DVD is Published by:
    Wisdom of the Wood

    Copyright ©2002 Mickey Cochran, Inc.
    For further info, check out these websites:
    www.soundtoearth.com
    www.morganmonroe.com
    DVDgraphy: Alex Kinnan
    Production/Design: Mickey Cochran