I can recall when simply going for a walk in nature wasn't enough anymore, you needed to buy expensive (nordic walking) sticks and all these other posh accessories for it... Same goes for yoga (mats for €100+ and yoga pants from trendy brands like Lulu Lemon that cost more than a pair of tailored trousers). Literally everything has to be capitalised upon 🤷🏻♀️
It is strange, isn't it? Why can't we find joy in doing things – why do we need to add that layer of buying into a bigger dream than we are living? Maybe we are not good at seeing the value of what we already have?
Playing a musical instrument has a level of economy connected to it already, if you're not building the instrument yourself from a cigar box, and I do appreciate how instruments can have different qualities, so I could no doubt find a better mandolin. But the joy of learning and playing it isn't directly connected to such extended qualities, it lies in the sufficient quality, I would say – if it is useful as a mandolin, then it can be used.
Maybe, likely, I will some day get a better one, but with the one I got I found an easy way into something I believe can become a great hobby. I'll walk without the sticks on this one, and use the old no-name yoga mat in the wrong color (and even without pants). And I'll enjoy it :)
That's the thing - people find the most joy in consuming (or at least have been tricked into believing so), so they must somehow intertwine it with everything they do...
Go for it Jørgen. I’ve played the backpipes since 2011. The instruments we choose tend to reflect our personalities. Hence, I am bold, unapologetic, maybe a bit of a rebel who secretly believes the universe should have a soundtrack, preferably one that makes people either cry, salute, or run for cover. I’m not afraid of being the center of attention—or at least of stirring up something deep and primal in those around me.
You must be having a poetic streak, maybe a bit of a romantic— or you are someone who appreciates subtlety, nuance, and beauty wrapped in order.
Where I may be bringing the wild spirits to the surface when needed, you most likely charms them into dancing. You are perhaps more introspective, detail-oriented, maybe even a little nostalgic.
There can be many sources of inspiration for picking up one or another instrument, but for me, I am all that you suggest, plus I found that old song by Styx: Boat on the River on one of the records in my collection. Of course, I have heard it before, many times, but that day, something struck me in the arrangement of the music. There is not much "domo arigato, mister Roboto" about that tune, and the mandolin plays a major part in bringing the impression (together with the accordion and the double base).
Well, reading about how that song came to be was inspiring. Tommy Shaw was learning to play the mandolin, and this song was simply what he created during the learning process. His "journeyman piece", you could call it. Like that little furniture a carpenter would create at the end of his apprenticeship, focused on beauty and perfect craftmanship.
I do like romanticism in the sense that you mention. And this particular instrument is connected to folk music, so it leads to a natural activity of learning to plays some of that. If I could some day make people dance and be happy, I would enjoy that.
Thanks for the poem – it's beautiful! I have a harmonica and a tambourine as well, so D. H. Lawrence would quickly feel comfortable here, not need to bring anything :)
That reminds me of the movie The Scarlet Pimpernel, where all men were wearing something like that. Well, if it makes him happy :) And they are probably good for dancing.
Thanks, Juliette! I have been away from writing for a while, as life sometimes demands other things as well, even though I would love to just write all day long, every day.
I play piano and guitar and I sing. However, I’m not a virtuoso on any of those instruments. I do love them though!! It does the soul so good. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you.
Sounds like the right spirit :) Music does indeed do good, and I have always been very fond of it. Not so much as a performer, though, but listening and, occasionally, learning or playing a bit.
I hope that I will have a story to tell along the way. Maybe I will also bring out my guitars from where they are hiding and see if I remember anything. It's easy to get bitten by it all ;)
I love this. We should all get more off-grid hobbies. I can understand how the brand can sometimes be important. My hobby (is it a hobby if my whole mental and physical well-being depends on it?) is swimming, and the right goggles are essential. Some brands are better than others. What I don't understand is the point of bringing it up in conversation. I do understand it; it is a status thing, I guess, and some people think the more money they invest in something, the more professional they are, but I find it offputting. However, I need to say that for some people (especially those reluctant to take up something good for them, such as exercise), buying gadgets or outfits or whatever can be inspiring.
Thanks :) Yes, there is inspiration in a brand, and by using special clothes from the exact right firm, with all the right commercials on it, you are almost a champion of the sport. Just a bit of practice, and then taking part in some competitions...
The problem with this whole thing is that it moves the focus away from what we need to do, and what we hoped to get out of it all – instead it becomes all about being seen as a real pro, rather than being one, or feeling good about being just you.
Apart from the brand stuff, a hobby or anything else we do in real life is absolutely needed for most of us. You are swimming, which is probably great in many ways, others are going for a walk with their dog, or going fishing, or whatever, that brings them in a position where they need to be present in what they are doing, not in the talk about what they in principle are doing ,when they have the time, as it often goes on social media.
The mandolin takes some effort to learn, plus some regular practice to not forget, and it will require a lot of effort to become good at. But wherever it will end, how far or short I will get with it, it will take me away from the always-on mentality and be off, at least for half an hour each day, or how much time I can manage to give it.
And yes, some brands are better, and I think it counts for everything. But If you are buying a car, for instance, you won't automatically go for a Ferrari or a Rolls-Royce, I suppose? We all know that those are good cars, but we can probably do with less. Same with a mandolin, or many other things. There is something really absurd in the idea of always looking at everything only from that point of view that everything short of the best is crap. It isn't. It can be exactly what is needed. In fact, something less perfect may require an extra effort to make it better, or to use it well despite its lacks, meaning that it can be a better training equipment, all things considered.
I think you describe a mandolin well this way :) It could be added that it is a small instrument that doesn't sustain the tones for long, giving it a more immediate or direct character than, say, a guitar. It has, for that reason, double strings, making it possible to add more sound by playing two strings at a time. It has been described as a violin for picking the strings.
It can be used in many contexts and add something great to each, if done well. Also, there are many shapes of this instrument, some more typical for certain geographies or music styles.
Here is a bigger version of the mandolin, called an octave mandolin (an octave deeper sounds) – and virtuously played, I must say! https://youtu.be/OLeaKKKuL9o
The whole time I was reading this, a sweet mandolin tune played in my head. I really hope you'll enjoy playing it and learning more about it! I also picked-up an offline activity recently with my lil nephew - building Lego cherry blossom branches. It clears up the clutter in my head because we're so focused on making sure the tiny pieces fit.
May it give you joy - as this story gave me..
Thanks! :)
I can recall when simply going for a walk in nature wasn't enough anymore, you needed to buy expensive (nordic walking) sticks and all these other posh accessories for it... Same goes for yoga (mats for €100+ and yoga pants from trendy brands like Lulu Lemon that cost more than a pair of tailored trousers). Literally everything has to be capitalised upon 🤷🏻♀️
It is strange, isn't it? Why can't we find joy in doing things – why do we need to add that layer of buying into a bigger dream than we are living? Maybe we are not good at seeing the value of what we already have?
Playing a musical instrument has a level of economy connected to it already, if you're not building the instrument yourself from a cigar box, and I do appreciate how instruments can have different qualities, so I could no doubt find a better mandolin. But the joy of learning and playing it isn't directly connected to such extended qualities, it lies in the sufficient quality, I would say – if it is useful as a mandolin, then it can be used.
Maybe, likely, I will some day get a better one, but with the one I got I found an easy way into something I believe can become a great hobby. I'll walk without the sticks on this one, and use the old no-name yoga mat in the wrong color (and even without pants). And I'll enjoy it :)
That's the thing - people find the most joy in consuming (or at least have been tricked into believing so), so they must somehow intertwine it with everything they do...
Hahaha 😂 I hope you have lots of fun with it all!
Go for it Jørgen. I’ve played the backpipes since 2011. The instruments we choose tend to reflect our personalities. Hence, I am bold, unapologetic, maybe a bit of a rebel who secretly believes the universe should have a soundtrack, preferably one that makes people either cry, salute, or run for cover. I’m not afraid of being the center of attention—or at least of stirring up something deep and primal in those around me.
You must be having a poetic streak, maybe a bit of a romantic— or you are someone who appreciates subtlety, nuance, and beauty wrapped in order.
Where I may be bringing the wild spirits to the surface when needed, you most likely charms them into dancing. You are perhaps more introspective, detail-oriented, maybe even a little nostalgic.
Brian
Hi Brian! Thanks, I believe you are right.
There can be many sources of inspiration for picking up one or another instrument, but for me, I am all that you suggest, plus I found that old song by Styx: Boat on the River on one of the records in my collection. Of course, I have heard it before, many times, but that day, something struck me in the arrangement of the music. There is not much "domo arigato, mister Roboto" about that tune, and the mandolin plays a major part in bringing the impression (together with the accordion and the double base).
Well, reading about how that song came to be was inspiring. Tommy Shaw was learning to play the mandolin, and this song was simply what he created during the learning process. His "journeyman piece", you could call it. Like that little furniture a carpenter would create at the end of his apprenticeship, focused on beauty and perfect craftmanship.
Styx is playing it nicely in this video: https://youtu.be/ROX9JGB1i6U
I do like romanticism in the sense that you mention. And this particular instrument is connected to folk music, so it leads to a natural activity of learning to plays some of that. If I could some day make people dance and be happy, I would enjoy that.
O one day you will!
D. H. Lawrence wrote about
this kind of happiness.
I would be very happy
dancing to the mandolin.
Invite them
and they will come
with harmonica
and tambourine 🎶🎶🎶
Thanks for the poem – it's beautiful! I have a harmonica and a tambourine as well, so D. H. Lawrence would quickly feel comfortable here, not need to bring anything :)
yes
he would be wearing
red breeches
that
to dance
and to love
is all he said
was necessary
for a man
to be happy
That reminds me of the movie The Scarlet Pimpernel, where all men were wearing something like that. Well, if it makes him happy :) And they are probably good for dancing.
I love this Jorgen - and love to see your writing. I have been missing your posts. And as a musician, I support this purchase!!
Thanks, Juliette! I have been away from writing for a while, as life sometimes demands other things as well, even though I would love to just write all day long, every day.
You are a musician too? What are you playing?
I play piano and guitar and I sing. However, I’m not a virtuoso on any of those instruments. I do love them though!! It does the soul so good. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you.
Sounds like the right spirit :) Music does indeed do good, and I have always been very fond of it. Not so much as a performer, though, but listening and, occasionally, learning or playing a bit.
I hope that I will have a story to tell along the way. Maybe I will also bring out my guitars from where they are hiding and see if I remember anything. It's easy to get bitten by it all ;)
Yes, it’s very addictive! But it’s one of the addictions that is the healthiest right?
It is – more music to the world!
I love this. We should all get more off-grid hobbies. I can understand how the brand can sometimes be important. My hobby (is it a hobby if my whole mental and physical well-being depends on it?) is swimming, and the right goggles are essential. Some brands are better than others. What I don't understand is the point of bringing it up in conversation. I do understand it; it is a status thing, I guess, and some people think the more money they invest in something, the more professional they are, but I find it offputting. However, I need to say that for some people (especially those reluctant to take up something good for them, such as exercise), buying gadgets or outfits or whatever can be inspiring.
Thanks :) Yes, there is inspiration in a brand, and by using special clothes from the exact right firm, with all the right commercials on it, you are almost a champion of the sport. Just a bit of practice, and then taking part in some competitions...
The problem with this whole thing is that it moves the focus away from what we need to do, and what we hoped to get out of it all – instead it becomes all about being seen as a real pro, rather than being one, or feeling good about being just you.
Apart from the brand stuff, a hobby or anything else we do in real life is absolutely needed for most of us. You are swimming, which is probably great in many ways, others are going for a walk with their dog, or going fishing, or whatever, that brings them in a position where they need to be present in what they are doing, not in the talk about what they in principle are doing ,when they have the time, as it often goes on social media.
The mandolin takes some effort to learn, plus some regular practice to not forget, and it will require a lot of effort to become good at. But wherever it will end, how far or short I will get with it, it will take me away from the always-on mentality and be off, at least for half an hour each day, or how much time I can manage to give it.
And yes, some brands are better, and I think it counts for everything. But If you are buying a car, for instance, you won't automatically go for a Ferrari or a Rolls-Royce, I suppose? We all know that those are good cars, but we can probably do with less. Same with a mandolin, or many other things. There is something really absurd in the idea of always looking at everything only from that point of view that everything short of the best is crap. It isn't. It can be exactly what is needed. In fact, something less perfect may require an extra effort to make it better, or to use it well despite its lacks, meaning that it can be a better training equipment, all things considered.
Good for you! Yes there's a lot of snobbery about brands of the tools instead of the beautiful music you make. Ignore it
I don't know the Mandolin. Somebody told me it shares tuning in common with the violin.
I did try a Baritone Uke and it has tuning just like the upper 4 strings of a guitar.
I have considered Mandolin. Keep searching your area and see what you can find of people or groups to play with.
Best wishes and enjoy it thoroughly.
I think you describe a mandolin well this way :) It could be added that it is a small instrument that doesn't sustain the tones for long, giving it a more immediate or direct character than, say, a guitar. It has, for that reason, double strings, making it possible to add more sound by playing two strings at a time. It has been described as a violin for picking the strings.
It can be used in many contexts and add something great to each, if done well. Also, there are many shapes of this instrument, some more typical for certain geographies or music styles.
Here is classical Vivaldi, with a full mandolin orchestra: https://youtu.be/9OJ0bsyIryc
And here is a bossa nova: https://youtu.be/a1B8PwzEdrQ
Irish folk music: https://youtu.be/2JSVJrd0eC0
And bluegrass: https://youtu.be/D6kihlmvAfQ
Here is a bigger version of the mandolin, called an octave mandolin (an octave deeper sounds) – and virtuously played, I must say! https://youtu.be/OLeaKKKuL9o
It's so much more versatile than I thought.
I didn't know it was double string. I love the links and I'm happy to learn more about it
The whole time I was reading this, a sweet mandolin tune played in my head. I really hope you'll enjoy playing it and learning more about it! I also picked-up an offline activity recently with my lil nephew - building Lego cherry blossom branches. It clears up the clutter in my head because we're so focused on making sure the tiny pieces fit.
Jorgen,
your lovely parable
gives you to us
real and likable
just like your mandolin