March ’26 Challenge-Mean Mandolin Blues

[John H]

My favorite weekend of each month!

Pure and simple, some mandolin blues riffage with my Gibson A-4 and newly acquired Hummingbird. The first verse is based on a blues mandolin study in G and the 2nd and 3rd verses I introduce a ‘rockabilly’ lick then add some rhythm riffs/vamping to create that mandolin ‘CHOP’. I gotta say I love the overall tone and vibe the Gibson’s create. So much fun.

[charjo]

Blues licks on a mandolin?……was not expecting that, John. Love your acoustic sound, very creative.
I have to ask though, where was that beautiful Les Paul?😉
John

[John H]

Ya know, you wouldn’t think this but it’s easier to find those traditional, post war blues licks on a mandolin than on a guitar. They might be harder to play on a mandolin but they are right there. This took some time to get down because everything is so reduced in scale.

John

[Michael Krailo]

This one put a huge smile on my face. That mandolin work is very good John and was the highlight of the video.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[wannaplayblues]

That was *SO* sweet! Loved it!

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

[Pap]

Bravo John! I broke out my guitar an played along with you. I love that simle progression and the bass line was sweet too. I like the start…I was thinking ZZ top and then I thought a couple more notes and we have Jimi ….something to play around with. Sweet Hummingbird….really rich sound! Cheers my friend! Pap

[James B]

Love that ‘front porch’ picking style music, John. Your staccato picking on the mandolin is really good.

James

[Alan L]

Both parts sound absolutely fantastic. Well done!

[Michael L]

Hi John, I’m such a big acoustic music fan, and you do a great job with this. Love the interplay of the shuffle with the mandolin part. Loved it!

[Raffaele S]

How beautiful…the mandolin idea is fantastic…and your Gibson even more….

[Werner]

Congratulations on your new guitar. It really is a beauty. And your musical contribution is, once again, something special. Thank you so much.

Werner

[JoeD1]

What a wonderful surprise to hear mandolin and your new Hummingbird. Both parts were incredibly played!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Guido]

Very original and lovely composition and rendition John! You’re a great mandolin player and its ringing sound complemented with the warm big sound of the Hummingbird beautifully ! Enjoyed very much to listen to your uplifting blues!

Guido

[sunjamr]

Hey John, those are two seriously cool instruments, and they sound great together! It’s a beautiful song, well played in every respect. I’m not sure I’ll ever become as good a mandolin player as you. I can play single note melody lines OK, but it’s those chords that kill me. You seem to have those pretty well under control.

Sunjamr Steve

[AndréM]

Awesome rockin blues mandolin.
That Gibson is really beautiful and sound great.

AndréM

AndréM

[Laurel C]

John, so good to hear you play the mandolin. A special little instrument. This had me toe tapping and jigging in my seat. I never knew there could be a ‘Mean Mandolin Blues’. Such a happy instrument. And of course great playing on the new Gibson guitar. Awesome result.

[Manfred M]

I like this groovy, bluesy mandolin you’re playing here, John. And it goes perfectly with your new Hummingbird. Proof that “mean” can sometimes be really good.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be May/June
There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Mark T]

Well, John, all I can say is that I could have listen to a lot more of that! Excellent submission – Mark 🎼🎶🎸👍

[Paul S.]

A Hummingbird! I’m a little jealous, though lately I’ve been eyeing a Collings D2H.

In any event, you make great use of both these Gibsons to put down some rollicking blues, starting with a cool kick-off on the guitar and some great phrasing and chopping on the mando.

(I’ve considered trying the mandolin, but the small size of the fretboard doesn’t work easily for a sloppy player like me, I am more suited to the bass.)

[Wayne Nunez]

Love this roots multi instrument playing john,you really got something going here my friend, excellent work! 👍

[JoLa]

Ah, what a great sound of the Mean Mandolin Blues, John!

The Hummingbird does indeed give a very solid Nashville style rhythm vibe, it suits you very well, maybe it’s time to move and busk in the music capital of the World? 😉 Also loved the bluesy mandolin, you’re so good with that thing already! You’re right, there’s nothing better than pure and simple blues, guitar and mandolin go well together, especially when you rock them like that!

P.S. I never even touched a mandolin but I imagine the string tension would slice through my fingers instantly!

🎸JoLa

[Jonathan Amos]

A mandolin makes a very welcome and refreshing change. The very narrow fingerboard puts me off but doesn’t seem to trouble you at all.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[Denise]

Mandolin goes Rockabilly, wow how I love that!!
Great groovy rhythm.
The Gibson and Mandolin go very well together.
Thanks for the inspiration, dear friend John.

More Blues!

[Martin W]

That is so cool , and a different approach, with the blues licks on the mandolin ,they sound great especially with the big tone from the hummingbird complimenting.
I fully agree “ pure and simple “ is the way to go for good music .

Martin

[Dieter]

A great combination—sounds wonderful.

Dieter

[Gary W]

Great stuff John , boy that’s a reall foot-tapper! Love the Hummingbird too, great stuff.

Gary

[Bill]

Love it! I’ve been playing with a mandolin player lately and makes for a cool duet with an acoustic guitar and Mando. Nice job!

[Bruce D]

John,
Got those mean mandolin blues! Nicely played, love the Hummingbird.

Bruce

Just focus on the notes you DID get right . . . Frank Vignola

[snakechisler]

well that was interesting it’s not something you hear in the blues every day

Thanks for sharing

[Author]

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