Fellow Mando-idiots,

Yet another thread asking for advice from a beginning mando-idiot! ;-)

I finally got through derrymacash's hornpipe Humours Of Lewisham without choking my mando's neck, with all notes memorized, and playing not too slow (hahaha). So, I thought I'd leave it to the side for a day or two, and learn my first jig.

Of course, I chose derrymacash's Benedict's Rambles, another tune on his CD. I listened to him playing for awhile, then listened to him whilst looking at the musical score, then listened to him whilst looking at the tab, and then I started in to slowly, very slowly play it.

And I stopped right there. I couldn't figure out whether the pick should go DUD DUD, or DDU DDU, or what the heck was going on -- and Aidan wasn't helping matters any on the CD, 'cuz he throws in some lovely grace notes all the way through the tune (ya buggah!).

So, in my desperation, I phoned Wesley S. and begged for advice. Turns out he doesn't play Irish music, and he sent me to The Mandolin Cafe message board. Great!, I thought . . .

So, I go there and find this mind-blowing discussion. Now, I'm totally befluxed and befuddled!

Therefore, I'm asking what's probably a very dumb question (but, we all have to start somewhere, right?) of all you talented and experienced Mudcat Mando-idiots. How do I pick a jig? Well, this one, anyway. ;-)

All the best, Áine