Mandolin in Jazz?

Jazzmusicgr · #1 12-19-2010, 01:41 PM

I had an argue today, with a local folk mandolin player. The argue was about if mandolin can play in a jazz combo efficiently. He said yes, mandolin can play almost anything at any genre. I agree, but in theoritical perspective. Theoritical every instrument could join and jam along in a jazz combo, as long as the player listens to this music and practice this music.

But in reality, could a mandolin play in jazz with tastiness results?

Is there ANY jazz record with mandolin? If yes, let me know. I am so curious to listen...

Stackabones · #2 12-19-2010, 01:49 PM

Dig into David Grisman.

YouTube Video

A jazzman is a jazzman irregardless of instrument. Historically (iirc), there were concerns about the guitar being a solo instrument in jazz.

Jazzmusicgr · #3 12-19-2010, 02:08 PM

WOW. That was awesome!!!

Thank you so much for the post!!!

ksjazzguitar · #4 12-19-2010, 04:05 PM

I think it can work, but you run the risk of it sounding like bluegrass or gypsy jazz. I can't imagine pulling it out on a hardbop or fusion gig. But hey, maybe you'll be the guy that proves it can be done.

Peace,
Kevin

liponguitas · #5 12-20-2010, 04:56 AM

Without any doubt!

It´s possible to play jazz in a mandolin. I've seen a concert of a Italian mandolin master, playing standards. It was absolutlely fantastic!
I'll try to find some of his material in the web and I'll post here.

Sorry for my bad English

oilywrag · #6 12-20-2010, 08:05 AM

Check this out

http://youtube.com/waych?v=JAqxE_1dYpc

enjoy

tom

derek · #7 12-20-2010, 10:31 AM

One of my favorite discs is with Martin Taylor and David Grisman's quartet found here.

Amazon.com: I'm Beginning to See the Light: Martin Taylor, David Grisman, Acoustic Jazz Quar: Music

kamlapati · #8 12-20-2010, 11:06 AM

My combo is guitar, mandolin, stand up bass, and occasional drums. We all sing. All acoustic. People say we play jazz. Don't limit yourself.

Stackabones · #9 12-20-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksjazzguitar

I think it can work, but you run the risk of it sounding like bluegrass or gypsy jazz. I can't imagine pulling it out on a hardbop or fusion gig. But hey, maybe you'll be the guy that proves it can be done.

You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

I'd rather hear it in gypsy jazz or other swing-based jazz than fusion or hardbop, but that's just general & personal listening preference.

paynow · #10 12-20-2010, 11:48 AM

There are couple of websites devoted to the idea of jazz on mandolin. They've been around for some time:

JazzMando.com | Broadening the mandolin to Jazz, Pop, Cerebral Folk, and Contemporary Praise Music.

and

The JAZZ MANDOLIN PROJECT : featuring Jamie Masefield

The "Mandolin Cafe" also has some interesting info:

Twelve Essential Jazz Mandolin Chords

I bought a mandolin several years ago just to mess around with and see how it might be applied to jazz. One cool thing is that the standard tuning, which is G-D-A-E from bottom to top, means that the scale fingerings and chord fingerings don't change as you move to the higher strings. The tuning is the same as a violin, and it's double strings in the same octave so tuning can be a pain. Of course, it doesn't project like the guitar. Mine is a really cheap one, so eventually if I get more into it I'll have to pick up a better instrument.

ksjazzguitar · #11 12-20-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stackabones

You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

I'd rather hear it in gypsy jazz or other swing-based jazz than fusion or hardbop, but that's just general & personal listening preference.

I wasn't making a value judgment, I was just pointing out that mandolin is more limited in applicable styles than most other instruments. There's nothing wrong with it if that's your bag.

Peace,
Kevin

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #12 12-20-2010, 11:55 AM

Maybe I'm contrarian, but I like it when people play jazz on instruments that make most people think "you can't play jazz on that".

I also saw this cat play and it flipped me out. Indian music on a double-neck mandolin. How cool is that?

YouTube Video

lindydanny · #13 12-20-2010, 03:12 PM

Mandolincafe.com has a few lessons on how to play jazz on mandolin. A buddy of mine even tried working through the Mickey Baker method on mando. He only gave it up because he has other obligations in his life right now.

~DB

holgit · #14 12-21-2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paynow

The JAZZ MANDOLIN PROJECT : featuring Jamie Masefield

The Jazz Mandolin Project has published a few really nice CDs. I like "The Deep Forbidden Lake" very much.

paynow · #15 12-21-2010, 06:48 AM

Amazon.com: jazz mandolin: Books

paynow · #16 12-21-2010, 09:21 AM

YouTube Video

As jazz on mandolin.

lindydanny · #17 12-21-2010, 10:11 AM

I know it is probably just the fact that the strings are really really small on that vid, but it certainly sounds and looks like he isn't using doubled courses, only single strings. Anyone able to verify?

Either way, well played.

~DB

paynow · #18 12-21-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindydanny

I know it is probably just the fact that the strings are really really small on that vid, but it certainly sounds and looks like he isn't using doubled courses, only single strings. Anyone able to verify?

Either way, well played.

~DB

You are correct. I hadn't noticed that. I checked out another vid by this gent and he says in the comments, in response to someone asking him whether he has removed four of the strings:

"Yes, I removed the strings and found that it fits me better since I'm not doing tremolo so often. Atleast it's worth to try, win some lose some."

Here's one I saw about a year ago that definitely has all 8 strings:

YouTube Video

lindydanny · #19 12-22-2010, 08:29 AM

I'd dance to that! What a great rhythm.

There was a discussion about tunings on a ukulele site I frequent that argued that not tuning a ukulele like a ukulele made it no longer a ukulele. Not saying I agree, but I'm curious how many mandolin purests would turn their noses at playing without the doubled courses?

Oh, and that mandolin was cool. I've not seen one with the peace simple inlayed at the bottom of the board like that. Quite cool.

~DB

Anandbhat · #20 12-22-2010, 09:03 AM

David Grisman and Jerry Garcia together,Pure magic!

Jazzmusicgr · #21 12-30-2010, 06:14 AM

Wow!!! thank you for your posts everyone!!!

I just returned from my Xmass holidays...

Merry Xmass and happy new year

Jazzmando · #22 02-10-2011, 04:03 PM

Here's Aaron Weinstein doing some very cool chord melody work on the mandolin:

YouTube Video

Jazzmando · #23 02-10-2011, 04:07 PM

Don Stiernberg and Mike Marshall letting loose On Greed Dolphin Street:

YouTube Video

Jazzmando · #24 02-10-2011, 04:17 PM

Lastly, Mike Marshall and Chris Thile just shredding Scrapple From The Apple ( I was at this show and it was pretty mind blowing):

YouTube Video

Jazzmando · #25 02-10-2011, 04:20 PM

So yeah, the mandolin is a great jazz instrument. But not a lot of players have pushed it out into the jazz mainstream to be sure but it sure is fun to play Monk or Bird...if I had those kind of chops.

edit to add: If you want to see someone who really stretches out in a band setting just do a youtube search for Andy Statman. Andy takes the mandolin into uncharted territories in his melodic explorations. Great stuff.