The Sound
Perfect Mix For Success
In the world of songwriting, finding the right co-writer can be a difficult task. Finding the right fit and building a relationship with other writers requires patience and is often compared to a marriage. Many songwriters today prefer to spend time together in person creating lyrics to a melody. Publishing companies often unite writers in…
Learning to Play Mandolin Instruction with Tristan Scroggins
Photo By Natia Cinco Tristan Scroggins started playing professionally in a full-time touring bluegrass band when he was only fourteen years old (2009). It was his father’s band—Jeff Scroggins and Colorado—and they loved to be on the road. Tristan said, “I grew up in a strange situation of touring all of the time. We started…
Building the Multi-Tool of Modern F-5 Mandolins
Photos by Bud Osborne “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture,” said musician-comedian Martin Mull in a line often misattributed to Frank Zappa. Same holds true for trying to describe a musical instrument’s sound. In wine culture, reviewers and sommeliers have a glossary accepted by consumers, with terms like ‘oakey’ or ‘full-bodied’ or ‘closed’…
Caleb Smith
Guitar Builder Angling for a Vintage Sound Balsam Range’s Caleb Smith brings an intensity to the stage that’s hard to miss in a live show. The guitarist usually provides a bookend to Grammy-winning banjo player Marc Pruett, who is usually grinning and swaying while picking. Smith is on the task at hand, hitting the notes with…
Jonathan Mclanahan Embraces the Loar of the Luthier
McClanahan Trinity Model F-5 Mandolin Photos by Jonathan McClanahan In a relatively short time, Jonathan McClanahan has earned a place amongst the highest reaches in modern bluegrass mandolin building. His Trinity and Loretto F-5 models aspire to the loftiest standards of tone, projection, playability, and build quality. Played by C.J. Lewandowski, Danny Roberts, Wayne Benson,…
Bill Monroe Style Mandolin Improvisation Course
Photo By John Malinowski If you travel to a foreign country, you can buy a travel guide, a map and a phrase book and head out on your own, or you can find someone who knows the language, geography, history, and customs and ask them for help. The second option is usually the easiest, most…