Making the Mandolin Sing (ft. Darren Nicholson)

The great Darren Nicholson recently came down to the studio, and we had this inspiring conversation on how to use right hand techniques to make the mandolin really sing. Happy to share it with you here!
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My name is David, and I play the mandolin. I've played with multiple award-winning bluegrass bands across the world including Missy Raines, Mile Twelve, Cup O’Joe, and The Foreign Landers, and I curate the weekly mandolin video series #mandolinmondays hosted by the Mandolin Cafe. But most of all, I love sharing my love of the mandolin with others. I run an online mandolin learning community on Patreon, and I also make videos to share my thoughts, ideas, and general mandolin enthusiasm with other mando aficionados. Find out more at the links below:
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[@ArronRees88]

Got an Epiphone mandolin for Christmas (picked up second hand for £125!) after playing guitar for 20 odd years and getting into country/bluegrass in the last few years. I decided on the mandolin because i grew up playing punk rock and metal and figured that the techniques would be transferable so i was delighted to find the comparison made in this video, so mucj so that i felt compelled to comment. “Thrash metal in a major key” was how i thought about it. Especially because of the tremolo picking.

[@petegoodall2091]

From the interviewer to interviewee this is one of the best I have ever seen. David Benedict is not only one of my favorite players, but I love his interview style and questions. I knew very little about Darren Nicholson, but have found everything he said resonated with me and not just about the mandolin, but being a person and musician as well. I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@martattacks]

What a couple of magnificent musicians being all humble and thankful at the same time. You both are a blessing. Thanks.

[@stefanhuegin8292]

Jammed with Darren in Germany 🇩🇪 in a restaurant after the festival in Bühl … nice memory ❤🤞😘

[@lessparks9388]

Wow, what a memory.

[@stevewoods2408]

love Darren, saw him earlier this year at Mountain View, Arkansas with the Gibson Brothers

[@lucylindblommusic]

Thank you Darren and David for this interview! That mandolin sounds amazing!

[@jameswistrom4105]

You can really tell that Loar has a lot of punch and tone even through my phone speakers! Would love to play one some day.

[@johnlarkin8226]

This is one of the most useful videos I've seen on playing the mandolin.

[@margaretblack8491]

So inspiring and fun! Thanks so much for bringing these amazing players out for all of us to "Talk to" :) Of course, you are pretty amazing yourself.....

[@ceratliff553]

This was great! Great conversation and to echo what Mr. Nicolson said, thank you for all you do for the mandolin community. North Carolina Raise Up!

[@mitzioden4926]

Great interview and tips on playing! Darren certainly has the gift to play well.

[@SamFugarino]

Darren is one of my favorite mandolin players. Thanks guys. Great video!

[@taylormartin561]

Really enjoyed this. You should hear Darren play the hand bells!

[@Mandoslicer]

LOLOLOL!

[@CranberryHollow]

My dad played a 1921 Gibson from the 70s until his death in 2022. My brother plays that mandolin now.

[@Mandoslicer]

Wonderful guys!

[@normcoker9399]

Man this is really 🔥 great. Thanks for what you both do.

[@luvbgrass]

Great interview. I remember being 41. Its been a while though, lol.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

Wow! I am fortunate enough to own a Loar era mandolin, but from the bottom of the lineup: an A Jr. An F5 is a whole different breed.

[@will3475]

I sang Nellie Kane in front of people at a jam last Saturday and I got so nervous even though I feel like I nail it every night when I'm by myself lmao. But I got through it. Didn't sound great, but this video gave me more confidence. Thank you David and Darren

[@alan4sure]

I can relate. Lol😅

[@Shaw.77]

Darren is the best!

[@chazbike9708]

That was excellent!

[@dutchbiker4825]

I use some older Italian tunes like tarantellas if i want to practice my tremolos. For bluegrass I'm still working on the old 1-4-5's 😀 Great interview!

[@longtalljay]

Good Lordy Loar!

[@lindamon8]

Darren said that as he got older his pick got thinner and his touch became lighter, so what gauge pick was he using? Also, Darren must have trusted you to have a play of his instrument...any footage of that? A very entertaining and informative interview. Thanks.

[@Banjobarron]

Wayne. Thanks for another lesson. Is it true that when playing a minor pentatonic scale in a bluesy tune that the rhythm guitar should be playing a diad major chord (1,5) to minimize dissonance? Please advise.

[@steve0852]

Great and very informative interview David. One thing I was curious about is; does Ferdinand have a Virzi tone system? I have read that the Loar era mandolins had the Virzi system but most of have had it removed.

[@musicofanatic]

His mandolin does not...mostly 1924 Loar signed F5s will have the Virzi

[@redooz5886]

Some Jethro recogniztion!

[@sanddan525]

Darren, where did you get that cool tee shirt?

[@musicofanatic]

"...you don't need to modernize anything about these mandolins...". That's one way to look at it, and if that works for you (for anyone), great. Most folks know that any surviving Stradivarius violins being played today have had a longer neck grafted on, bass bar replaced, regraduated top and back, etc. When I got my 1924 F5 I resolved that I would just get used to the flat fretboard, tiny frets, etc, and played it that way for the first coupla years. Along the way, I talked to other professionals who had Loars and learned it was not uncommon to make modifications to increase the playability. For starters, the tuners on mine were less than cooperative and I was spending too much time onstage tuning between songs, so I replaced the tuners (without irreversibly modifying the instrument, of course) with great results. Then I grew increasingly frustrated with the small frets, a few of which were not precisely located. I turned the mandolin over to Hugh Hansen in Nashville and had him replace the fretboard with a radiused 'board with larger frets and a scooped fretboard extension. Hansen was chosen by virtue of his reputation for a high level of craftsmanship and his experience in work as a conservator who could remove the original 'board so that it could be restored to the mandolin, should any future owner wish to do so. When I got it back, I was astounded at the increased playability, which resulted in the mandolin sounding better than it ever had...no regrets at all and I am so glad I made the choice to have the work done. I believe I am done with modifications...the Virzi inside my mandolin is staying put! Unlike Nicholson, my mandolin goes to at least 95% of my shows. I know I would be dissatisfied to play another mandolin live knowing that I could be playing the Loar. 600 bucks a year for an insurance policy with Heritage buys me the peace of mind that allows me to bring this mandolin to every playing situation I am in. My advice to anyone is that if you have a fine instrument, use that instrument to elevate your performance and to enjoy owning it to the fullest...don't leave it at home!

[@longtalljay]

Is that a Wegen black BG 1.4 pick?

[@tjf42193]

I’m 31 and whenever I practice mandolin I make sure I practice yoga to stretch my hands afterwards to keep my hands healthy

[@alan4sure]

Black diamond strings....😅

[@darrells1806]

Must be nice to drop 150 thousand + on an instrument. 😎

[@alan4sure]

I doubt he paid that in this situation.