Q: Pettine picks & self-teaching

By Marilynn | Published: August 17, 2010

Q: I am 49 years of age and just purchased a mandolin.  I have played the piano and have found the mandolin, or it found me, after much consideration for a new adventure and furthering my range of music. When I purchased my mandolin I purchased your new instruction book “The Complete Mandolinist”.  I have tried to find the Pettine picks but without success. I have tried locally and have searched the internet. Will you please help me find them or the others that you consider and recommend as the best picks for the mandolin?
-JS

A: Hi, & welcome to mandolinworld! The easiest thing for you to do is to buy some 1.0 mm guitar picks & cut them down, as I describe in the book. If you want Pettine picks you can usually find some on Ebay & at Best Music Source, one of the merchants there.
-mm

Q2: Thanks for the info. I will check it out. If I am not able to find someone willing and able, do you recommend me learning from your book on my own? I believe I can, but wonder how likely it is one may develop bad habits without instruction. I have reviewed your book extensively and believe it is clearly written and very learnable. Please tell me your opinion of self instruction with your book.
-JS

A2: Lots of folks do it. I also just taught some students @ AMGuSS & the Summerkeys Camp who come see me every year to make sure they are on the right track & get their year’s assignments 🙂 You might consider attending one of those sessions for some personalized instruction, especially if there isn’t a mandolin teacher in your area.
-mm

Posted August 17th, 2010. Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment.

Post a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    • “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…” – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.” – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.” – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    • “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.” — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.” – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    • “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity…It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.” – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    • Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time. – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita” — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    • “Mair is unstoppable…capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.” – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)