Tim O'Brien Shows Us His Own Style of Mandolin

It was back in Paris about seven or eight years ago that I got my first credit on an album as a mandolin player. Well it was my first and only credit on that instrument. One reason for this is that I am not by any means a mandolin player. I know a few chords and that is it. I was brought in as a guest on a compilation album of different styles of French folk music. I was with a Breton band which again was slightly misleading as the band was led by an Irish banjo player and a Frenchman with a very Irish accent. Not only that but the tune we ended up recording for that compilation was a version of the bluegrass classic Sally Goodin.

But despite my very dubious credentials I have always wanted to learn more on the mandolin. Anyone who has listened to players from Bill Monroe to Chris Thile has wanted to learn the instrument. They make the small box of wood and strings sound like something so much more powerful. One of my favorite players is Tim O'Brien who plays not only the music of America but is someone who has embraced his Irish roots and understands both traditions better than anyone else I know. He is also is one of the few American players who has adopted the Bouzouki as an instrument. For those of you who don't know what a bouzouki is, it is a large version of the mandolin, also Greek in origin but the “flat back” versions have become a standard instrument in Irish music since the 70s. I think it was Tim himself who described the Bouzouki as a “mandolin before taxes”.

So I sat down and watched Tim O'Brien's DVD on Homespun on playing celtic and bluegrass songs on these instruments. Tim, as it turns out is an easy man to follow and a good teacher. He starts with Down in the Willow Garden a lovely song with a sound rich in both bluegrass and Celtic styles. He easily shows us how to tune both instruments and then how the song sounds played on each. He explains where and why he would choose either instrument. For example he says when playing with a bluegrass band he would opt for the mandolin, as the bouzouki would be redundant having the same ranges as the banjo and guitar.

Having laid down the basics he goes on to show us techniques in various tunes and songs from traditional to his own songs like The High Road. He plays the melody both at the proper speed and slowly which is great for following the notes and with the pause button this is so easy to follow. He shows us some good tricks in left hand positioning and fingering. This sort of thing will hold anyone in good stead down the line. There is nothing harder than trying to unlearn bad habits in playing music.

Right hand technique is also dealt with again with some tricks to improve your playing on the road ahead, like practicing tunes using all down strokes, which is a lot more difficult than it sounds but is great exercise. Don't fret though, if you pardon the bad pun, it isn't all music theory. There are many lovely songs on here to sing and it is interesting to see just how Tim finds his style. Even as a learning piece Lay Down Your Weary Tune is haunting and Tim's song Travelers is a gorgeous arrangement.

So if you have any inkling about playing either of these instruments then buy this DVD. It is easy to follow and definitely gives you a great feel for the music of Tim O'Brien and those who inspire him. I have a long way to go but even in the last few days plucking along with this I have found quite a few new things to play and I may have to invest in a bouzouki as well soon if my wife doesn't divorce me first.

Keep playing the music

For more on this great DVD visit Homespun at;

Or check out Tim's own site at;

http://www.timobrien.net