In this video, I go over some of the important aspects of maintaining your mandocello. This mandocello was made by Mando Mo Strings in Ho...

In this video, I review The Pup by Mando Mo Strings. This is a sweet little mandolin with a nice tone that's available until supplies r...

Here's a video I did recently about Mando Mo Strings. In the video, I'm playing a "Bluegrass Cat" F5 style mandolin by Mando Mo Strings....

Here is my 2nd video on how to improvise, a little less talk and more music. Thank You For Watching! Register for lessons here, or cont...

In this video, I discuss left hand strength and dexterity strategies using a 4th finger method, using putty or some other medium, as well...

We use our SweetMusic.Slack.com site which works on any browser (desktop) and smartphone (android, iphone). Slack is like Messenger on s...

We are still temporarily closed to the public during the Coronavirus pandemic. When Governor Baker announces phase 4 of the reopening pr...

My wife, Emily, is the love of my life. Everybody knows that. She's also one of the smartest people I know. She's the brains behind Sw...

My story is probably similar to many other stories out there. I started on the violin and was exposed to "fiddle" music at an early age....

In the spring of 2017, Al Beleunis , a guitar player and business owner from Holyoke, approached m e about taking mandolin lessons. He w...

This is the standard method of practice that I have used myself for more than 50 years. I also teach it to my students. It takes the av...

The Irish bouzouki (Irish: búsúcaí) is an adaptation of the Greek bouzouki (Greek: μπουζούκι). The newer Greek tetrachordo (4 courses of ...

CARING FOR YOUR MANDOLIN IN COLD TEMPERATURES Your mandolin is made mostly of wood and before it was used to create your prized and beaut...

It's absolutely critical that you practice at least something every day! What you practice is also critical. Just playing a few tunes, ...

In 2013, I bought a Breedlove mandolin. It wasn't the first time I had bought an instrument for myself, or a family member, but it was ...

Over the years, I have created a variety of YouTube instructional videos for students. I am now opening them to the general public. Eac...

Periodically, I write reviews of artists that I think my students will enjoy. Today I am writing about Charles McCoy, aka Papa. Charlie ...

This is a special Christmas because all of us have been under a great deal of stress due to the pandemic. Now is the time to learn to pl...

Chords are made from arpeggios, which come from scales as the 1,3,5 and octave of each. I've talked before about the 7 "Church" modes, or...

I chose a Breedlove mandolin over an Eastman for under $1,000. Here's why: I bought my Breedlove online through Amazon.com. I paid clos...