Wow. I want one!

I had a call this week from a Indian man looking for mandolin lessons. I asked him what style he was interested in and he said "Ragas". Hmmm, I thought, not sure if I can help. I gave him a couple of names of some classical Mandolin players, but he called back a couple of days later. This time I asked him specifically how a teacher might help him. He said that his speed was not good enough. We talked pick guages and up-down strokes etc. and then I asked if it were possible for him to play a bit over the phone. Sure, he said and got his mandolin.

Holy Sheeeit! This guy was so fast I couldn't believe it! Swooping modal scales, from the bass notes to the high trebles. When he'd finished I asked whether he listened to any Indian mandolinists on record? No, he said, there aren't any!

Well obviously I wasn't going to be able to teach this guy anything BUT his dad owns an Indian music store, so next week I'm going out for a visit. Maybe I'll find one of those great looking banj things.

Rick