I'd rather be playing my ukulele: Week four

 

Also, I wish that the ukulele was bluegrass friendly.

My current thoughts on playing mandolin:

Finding confidence and pursuing passion.

So far, my experience with learning how to play mandolin has been frustrating. Tonight I took out my list of songs and tried to look up some chords for them. It was impossible to decipher because my band has changed the key of certain songs. I don't understand how to change keys. My neighbor tried to explain it and changed a few, but the chords started going out of my range of ability. So, my mind started to drift and I found myself looking across the room at my ukulele case. The ukulele is my comfort instrument. When I get aggravated with mandolin, I take out my ukulele and play songs I have memorized. I sat there tinkering with some chord progressions and picked out some melodies. It boosts my confidence. I yearn for my ability with each to be equal. I am passionate about that little hunk of Hawaiian wood and I have two years of experience without proper instruction. In other words, I taught myself at my own pace.

I feel like everything with mandolin instruction/band is going too fast. I will admit that I haven't taken proper notes in band class, so I can't practice those twelve songs yet on my own. I plan to change this on Wednesday. I'm struggling to find confidence in myself as a musician. I've never been in a band or played music with other people before. It was enough to sit back and watch the first few weeks. I'm so mentally ready to join in, but my ability prevents that. Even if I don't seem prepared now, I'm confident that by Oct. 8 I will be ready to deliver. I'm hoping frustration will soon fade to confidence. All I need to do is maintain focus and be passionate about mandolin like I am with the ukulele.