Category Archives: Mandolin

Items of interest for the mandolin ethusiast

Day 1 – Fretmentor’s Workshop 2012

Posted on January 28, 2012 by fretmentor

The first day of Fretmentor’s 3rd Annual Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin Workshop, featuring Alan Munde, Jim Hurst and Byron Berline, was a memorable one.  Approximately 50 attendees arrived from as far as England, New York, Georgia and various communities … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Classes & Workshops, Concerts & Festivals, Fiddle, Fretmentor News, Guitar, Mandolin, News & Events | Leave a comment

Fretmentor’s 3rd Annual Workshop – A Bucket List Item

Posted on January 25, 2012 by fretmentor

Alan Munde, Byron Berline & Jim Hurst Fretmentor’s Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, & Mandolin Workshop Lake Worth,  Florida Almost everyone has a bucket list and I guess you can add my first meeting with Alan Munde, Byron Berline and Jim Hurst … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Fretmentor News, Guitar, Mandolin, News & Events, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Music Festivals – While On The Road

Posted on November 28, 2011 by fretmentor

Are You a Fan of Music Festivals? If so, I have something for you.  Keep reading to learn more. In Southeast Florida, each summer there is a popular waterfront music festival that attracts people from all over the country and … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Classes & Workshops, Concerts & Festivals, Fiddle, Fretmentor News, Guitar, Mandolin, News & Events, Recording & Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Alison Krauss & Union Station

Posted on August 22, 2011 by fretmentor

August 20, 2011 in Ft Lauderdale, Florida If your talking about getting your money’s worth, the show I saw last night speaks volumes.  Alison Krauss and Union Station performed on August 20, 2011 at the Broward Center for the Performing … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, News & Events, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Recitals, Video & Nerves

Posted on August 17, 2011 by fretmentor

Does A Videotaped Music Recital Assist A Student? I remember when I was in high school and had to give a demonstration speech.  It was videotaped. Right from the beginning, I hated the thought of having to demonstrate something in … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Music Technique, Recording & Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

What Happened To My Frets?

Posted on July 19, 2011 by fretmentor

Frets Magazine (1979-1989) In 1979, I had just finished my first year at college and returned home for a summer break.  Of course, my banjo, guitar and mandolin came back home with me.  After walking into a nearby music store, … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, History, Mandolin, Music Theory, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fretmentor’s Acoustic Christmas

Posted on November 22, 2010 by FeedBurner

Yes, its that time a year again.  The time we go into the attic and pull down the Christmas lights and ornaments.  It is the time we go to our local retail store and hear Christmas tunes from the past.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Fretmentor News, Guitar, Mandolin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bluegrass Legends

Posted on March 27, 2010 by fretmentor

JD Crowe and the New South Perform at the Lyric Theatre On Saturday, March 20, 2010, I had the pleasure of seeing JD Crowe, one of the greatest banjo players of all time, perform with his band JD Crowe and … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Concerts & Festivals, Mandolin | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Jens & Uwe Kruger & Fretmentor’s 2010 Workshop

Posted on January 9, 2010 by fretmentor

April 9-10, 2010 Jens & Uwe Kruger’s Banjo & Guitar Workshop For months now, I have been working out the details for Fretmentor’s First Annual Banjo & Guitar Workshop  – Featuring Jens & Uwe Kruger, to be held in Southeast … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Classes & Workshops, Fretmentor News, Guitar, History, Mandolin, News & Events | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Motor City Bluegrass?

Posted on July 2, 2009 by fretmentor

I remember that first festival as though it was yesterday. Of all places, it was held outside of the Motor City.  That is right, just outside of Detroit, Michigan.  The home of Motown and automobile production, was taking a back … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Guitar, History, Mandolin, News & Events | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Mandolins From A to F

Posted on June 25, 2009 by fretmentor

Today when you go to a music store specializing in stringed instruments, you will see a variety mandolins by different instrument makers.  They may come in different wood finishes and colors, yet the styles have remained the same for many … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Mandolin | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Greatest Musicians – Do Polls Only Go So Far?

Posted on June 18, 2009 by fretmentor

Over the course of a year or so, I added polls to my website www.fretmentor.com, for readers to vote on who they believe is the best banjo, guitar or mandolin player of all-time.  Of course, some of these polls had … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Guitar, History, Mandolin | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin – Which is the Easiest to Play?

Posted on May 25, 2009 by fretmentor

Whether I am performing on stage or teaching in the classroom, I frequently get the following question “Which instrument is the easiest to play; the Banjo, Guitar, or Mandolin?” Banjo For the banjo player, there are various styles that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments