Mandolin Mysteries Solved: How to play in any key, sight read or improvise, play any chord in any position and play the music your way!

 

The mandolin is a very versatile instrument. You can play any genre of music on it and it has an expressive range that is incredible. But, I think it has somewhat become stuck in a rut. My issue with much of modern mandolin instruction is that, too often, the beautiful and versatile mandolin is pigeonholed as an instrument almost exclusive to bluegrass, old time and Celtic music. Historically, this has not been the case. The mandolin was once broadly utilized in classical music, chamber music, popular songs and blues... well, a little in blues – see Yank Rachell and Willie Brown. A few well known mandolinists such as Dave Grisman and Sam Bush, play rock, reggae, blues, jazz and everything else on their instruments. But, most mandolin instruction is oriented toward bluegrass and fiddle tunes. And, why not? There are few artists as iconic as the legendary Bill Monroe, and few instruments more synonymous with one specific genre. You simply cannot have a bluegrass band without a hard driving or melodic mandolin, and I doubt anyone who has played mandolin in the last (nearly) 100 years has not tried to imitate him. So, most instruction focuses on memorizing solos.

My system is not about memorization. It is about learning to play the music in your head. It is about being able to play anything as effortlessly as you can breathe. It will take some time and study, and commitment to practice. But, you can do it. You can be a mandolin virtuoso, and if you are creative enough, maybe you can even be the next Bill Monroe and take bluegrass in some new direction that only exists now as potential within your heart and soul. Or, maybe you'll do something entirely different. I am going to give you the tools and show you how to use them. I will provide you over 30 years of what I have learned in a practical system that will probably take a year to learn. After that, it is up to you. Your passion will decide how far you go. I am merely removing the impediments. I can teach you to walk, but I cannot teach you to run or even fly. That is up to you, and it will take hard work. I am not going to teach you to play like me or anyone else. But, if you practice this system and stick with it, you will be able to play like you.

The goal of this book is to teach you to play the mandolin in any genre, in any key, sight read or improvise, play any chord in any position and play the music your way!

Available in paperback on Amazon: 

Amazon.com: Mandolin Mysteries Solved: How to play in any key, sight read or improvise, play any chord in any position and play the music your way!: 9798261727965: Carroll, Judson: Books

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G7XXKVHZ

From the Spring Foraging Cookbook: Oregon Grape

 

Depending on where you live, the berries of Oregon Grape maybe ripen in late spring or early summer.  Its cousin, Barberry, may have last fall’s berries still on its thorny stems in spring, as well.  I prefer the larger, blue to reddish berries of Oregon Grape, although I have both growing on my property.  Both plants are very important to herbal medicine, having strong antiseptic properties and being very good for the liver and stomach.  The berries of Oregon Grape, like the entire plant, are extremely bitter, but not unpleasant.  Combined, in small amounts, with either other fruits or large amounts of sugar they can make a very nice jelly or wine.  Once you get used to their bitterness, you may enjoy snacking on a few berries while hiking.  The flavor can be quite shocking to the uninitiated, but gradually you can develop a taste for them as I have.

Oregon Grape berries are more like cranberries than any other fruit that comes to mind.  A simple compote made of them makes an excellent side dish for roasted meat and fowl.  Put a cup or two of berries into a pot, along with a cup of water and bring to a low boil.  Once cooked, press the berries through a strainer to remove the seeds.  Return to the pot and add a cup or so (to taste) of sugar, a cup of water and some citrus zest.  Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved.  You can add any spices you like – I think cinnamon and clove are very nice.  The flavor will be something like a tart cranberry sauce and should not be too sweet, but will have a distinctive Oregon Grape taste and aroma.  A small serving should ensure good digestion with even the heaviest meal. 

Medicinally, Oregon Grape is among our most important plants.  Let's turn to Plants For A Future again:

Medicinal use of Oregon Grape: Oregon grape was often used by several native North American Indian tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility. Its current herbal use is mainly in the treatment of gastritis and general digestive weakness, to stimulate the kidney and gallbladder function and to reduce catarrhal problems. The root and root bark is alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions. Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use. The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.

This article is an excerpt from 

The Spring Foraging Cookbook: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-spring-foraging-cookbook.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRP63R54

Also, I am back on Youtube. Please subscribe to my channel: @judsoncarroll5902   Judson Carroll - YouTube

PS. New today in my Woodcraft shop: 

Toasted Holly Coffee Scoop

Toasted Holly Coffee Scoop - Judson Carroll Woodcraft

https://judsoncarrollwoodcraft.substack.com/p/toasted-holly-coffee-scoop

Read about my other new books:

Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html

Available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25

Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS

A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings July-December, 2025
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-daily-catholic-devotional-reflections.html

Medicinal Weeds and Grasses of the American Southeast, an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/medicinal-weeds-and-grasses-of-american.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/confirmation-autobiography-of-faith.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

and

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide

Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6: by Judson Carroll


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Judson Carroll, Master Herbalist

Herbal Medicine

Read about my new other books:

Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS

The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6

and

Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R


The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Bitter Herbs: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R

and

Christian Medicine, History and Practice: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB



Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs

Blog:

https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/

Free Video Lessons: Herbal Medicine 101 - YouTube

Disclaimer

The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.