Mandolin Secrets Podcast

Hayes Griffin and Magnus Zetterlund get together for a candid episode about practice rooms, warm-ups, and a story Hayes has been waiting to tell.

Hayes shares how a simple car-cleaning moment left him with a mallet finger injury just weeks before Winfield, and how he turned the recovery into a creative exploration of one-finger playing inspired by Mick Goodrick.

They dig into Hayes’s pick slanting journey, economy picking patterns taught by Beppe Gambetta, and Magnus’s double-stop approach to jazz standards.

The community weighs in on what they're practicing, from Scottish repertoire to Vivaldi and Jethro-inspired jazz, and the pair debate warm-up routines and the value of centering yourself before you play.

Full show notes:
Click here for website blog post

Resources & Links
Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Mandolin Secrets Academy:
https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/academy

Hayes’s Guitar Club:
https://www.hayesgriffin.club/

Join Magnus Zetterlund with jazz mandolin virtuoso Sims Delaney Potthoff, who studied directly with Jethro Burns and has been performing for over 30 years.

Sims shares transformative lessons from Jethro on soloing, guide tone lines, and the power of melody—plus his groundbreaking Sims 251 series of weekly jazz vocabulary videos. Discover how a random mandolin at a party launched a career spanning bluegrass, gypsy swing, and Django-inspired jazz.

Learn about building niche music scenes, choosing tone over technique, and why the 2-5-1 progression is your secret weapon for improvisation.

Full show notes:
https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/blog/podcast-54-jethro-burns-to-gypsy-swing-sims-delaney-potthoff-on-jazz-mandolin-tone

Resources for Sims:
https://sims251.com/

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Magnus Zetterlund talks with Baron Collins-Hill, the mandolin teacher behind the MandoLessons YouTube channel, running strong for nearly 20 years. Baron picked up mandolin after hearing Chris Thile on Nickel Creek's self-titled album, learned through the early Mandolin Cafe forum community, and started posting lessons on borrowed camera equipment before "online mandolin teaching" was really a thing.

They talk about Baron's move to Bangkok and the surprisingly lively Irish and bluegrass jam scene he stumbled into there, how living with just one mandolin has pushed him toward a simpler, more minimal approach to both playing and content creation, and how nearly two decades of teaching has shaped his own playing as much as his students'. Baron also shares his philosophy on tackling regional tune variations at a jam, why he thinks teaching today is more about curation than creation, and how his free MandoLessons content and paid Academy community fit together.

If you've ever hesitated to walk into your first jam session, or wondered how a mandolin holds up in tropical humidity, this episode is for you.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Find Baron online:
https://www.mandolessons.com/

Show Notes

In this episode:

• Baron's origin story: hearing Chris Thile on Nickel Creek's self-titled album, learning basic chords from a family friend, and getting hooked through the early Mandolin Cafe forum around 2000
• Starting MandoLessons in 2008 — from borrowed MiniDV cameras and Vimeo to a full YouTube studio setup
• How teaching for nearly 20 years has shaped Baron's own playing as much as his students'
• Why the mandolin community has exploded with resources since 2008, and how that's shifted a teacher's role from "creation" to "curation"
• Baron's move to Bangkok, Thailand, and the thriving Irish and bluegrass jam scene he found there (Irish session and bluegrass jam happening most weeks)
• Traveling with just one mandolin — and how that minimalism has carried over into a simpler approach to filming and teaching
• How mandolins actually hold up in tropical humidity
• Advice for beginners hesitant to join a session: go and just listen first, then bring your instrument next time
• Navigating regional tune variations at a jam — Baron's approach to picking up an unfamiliar B part on the fly
• The difference between Baron's free MandoLessons repertoire site, his paid "Comprehensive Mandolin" course, and the MandoLessons Academy community (tune-of-the-month, currently "Cold Frosty Morning")
• What's next for Baron: reorganizing and updating the MandoLessons website's growing tune database (~300 tunes and counting)

Mentioned in this episode:

• Nickel Creek (self-titled album) and O Brother, Where Art Thou?
• Mando Mike, David Benedict — fellow mandolin YouTube educators
• Steve Kaufman's Old Time & Bluegrass Camp
• Bluegrass Bangkok / Irish Session Bangkok

Join Magnus Zetterlund with UK-based mandolin teacher Mike Giverin (Mando Mike) to explore why learning an instrument transforms lives. Mike shares his journey from seeing Nickel Creek at 14 to building his YouTube channel with 170+ free lessons. Discover his two teaching philosophies—nurturing absolute beginners and fixing technique for musicians switching instruments. Hear the story behind his book "How to Practice the Mandolin with a Broken Hand," dive into right-hand escape motions, and explore why chords are philosophically fascinating. Plus, insights on his band the Jaywalkers and why practice truly makes perfect.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Visit Mike Giverins' website:
https://www.mandomike.com

Topics Covered:

Mike's Origin Story

• First encounter: Nickel Creek concert at age 14
• Started mandolin at a bluegrass session in Northwest UK
• Early teacher also ran weekly bluegrass jam sessions
• 24 years of mandolin playing since that first lesson
• Chris Thile as primary inspiration

Musical Background & Training

• Brass band experience (age 8-13) in the UK tradition
• Learned to read music formally; classical musician approach
• Three distinct musical styles shaped his playing: bluegrass, folk, and Irish
• 4Square
• The Jaywalkers Band

Mando Mike YouTube Channel

• Started May 2018 with 3 videos per month (released simultaneously)
• Shifted to 2 videos per month after 2 years
• Total: 170-200 free lessons (no monetization)
• Philosophy: "Shop front" for teaching style, not about views or subscriptions
• Always provides tab and music notation with videos
• Pandemic-driven transition to online lessons filled his teaching schedule
• Pairing with weekend gigging with Jaywalkers—exactly what he wanted

Teaching Philosophy & Student Categories

Category 1: Absolute Beginners

• Often retired people who've always wanted to learn
• Joy of opening up "a secret world" to new musicians
• Emphasis on correct technique from day one
• Recent student: Grateful Dead fan using lyric sheets instead of chord charts

Category 2: Experienced Musicians (Guitar, Ukulele, Violin)

• Wrong pick directions and habits from other instruments
• High success rate after fixing pick strokes (2-3 tunes usually fixes the issue)
• Violinists: Good melody understanding, excellent reading, but need chord playing introduction
• Guitarists: Natural chord understanding but struggle with mandolin-specific picking

The Bill Cheatham Solo Collaboration

• David Benedict's group video project featuring different players
• Mike's contribution: bluegrass-influenced solo
• Challenge: balancing complexity—not too fancy, but distinctly "you"
• Hundreds of takes wrestling with note selection

The Broken Hand Story: "How to Practice the Mandolin with a Broken Hand"

• Christmas 2016: Family game of picking up a shrinking cereal box with teeth while leaning over
• Mike fell and broke his left-hand middle finger (the bone you break when punching)
• Four weeks without fretting hand
• Solution: intense right-hand work
• Content: right-hand patterns, cross-picking exercises, alternate picking progressions
• Desperation breakthrough: playing fiddle tunes on open strings only
• Result: A book of pure right-hand techniques (tongue-in-cheek title, serious content)
• Exercise value: Playing melodies without fretting hand forces picking hand awareness

Why Everyone Should Learn an Instrument

• Travis Kelsey (Taylor Swift's fiancé, NFL player) podcast insight: proves practice makes you better
• Physical, mental, and subconscious benefits
• Brain activation: learning instruments activates more areas than almost anything else
• Humility and connection: requires approaching others with humility
• "Music for Life" teaching philosophy: enjoy the journey, growth is a bonus
• Not about becoming professional; about lifelong benefits

The Philosophy of Chords

• What are chords, really? Existential music question
• Role of chords: accompanying a melody, creating harmony
• Chord rhythm variations: 2 per bar, 4 per bar, flexible depending on song
• Teaching challenge: explaining why G is G when you can't see the guitar fretboard
• Solution: Play-along tracks essential for understanding chords in context
• Students often overthink chords; they're simply what the song needs

Mandolin Rhythm vs. Bluegrass Rhythm

• Mandolin rhythm sounds different than guitar rhythm in rhythm sections
• Bluegrass context: very specific percussive approach (chop chord)
• Mike's perspective: gets bored of chop chords quickly
• Alternative rhythm approaches in folk/Irish settings
• Fiddle chopping (learned from Casey Dreason at Sore Fingers) opens new possibilities
• Rich world of mandolin rhythm beyond bluegrass chopping

Reading Music & Tablature

• Not critical, but opens up learning possibilities
• Mike's approach: teach full spectrum (by ear, tab, music notation)
• Benefits: when you find a song online, you can learn it without a teacher converting to mandolin tab
• Retired/beginner students often come from classical piano backgrounds and need score reading

UK Bluegrass Scene

• 6-7 festivals every summer across the country
• Major hubs: London, Chester (Northwest)
• Sore Fingers: Legendary Easter bluegrass camp at a private school
• Week-long camp with American tutors covering mandolin, fiddle, banjo, old-time instruments
• Past instructors: Mike Marshall, Tim O'Brien, John Moore (Chris Thile's first teacher), Jacob Jollife
• Foursquare and Crossover: major UK bluegrass festivals

Online Teaching Challenges

• Lack of simultaneous playing together
• Importance of play-along tracks to make chords sensible
• Technical exercise delivery vs. real-time guidance
• Timing adjustments happen subconsciously in person; online requires explicit communication
• Responsibility shifts to student for practice accountability

Post-Pandemic Teaching Observations

• Fewer students motivated by session playing
• More people learning "just because they've always fancied it"
• Value of community: small online lesson communities fulfill musical needs
• Balance: encouraging progress often requires playing with others, but not everyone's goal

Featured Collaboration:

• Bill Cheatham solo (David Benedict video project)

Mike's Websites & Contact:

• Mandomike.com (all mandolin content, free YouTube lessons)
• Jwalkers.co.uk (Jaywalkers band information)

Teaching Resources:

• Book: "How to Practice the Mandolin with a Broken Hand" (right-hand techniques)
• YouTube: 170+ free lessons with tab and notation
• Online lessons available through website
• Play-along tracks for all lessons (emphasized importance)

Mentioned Events & Organizations:

• Sore Fingers (UK bluegrass camp, Easter)
• Foursquare (UK folk festivals)
• Crossover (UK bluegrass festival)
• Cardiff Bay Festival (Wales, where Magnus performed)
• Music for Life (UK school music teaching company)
• Chester location (Northwest UK, between Manchester and Liverpool)

Key Philosophical Insights:

• "Learning an instrument is the best way of proving that practice makes you better"
• Chords are existential—they're what the song needs, not an overcomplication
• Teaching reveals music through fresh eyes of non-musicians
• Playing together (sessions, bands) accelerates musicianship more than solo study
• Brain development from instruments unmatched by other activities

Key Techniques Discussed:

• Pick escape motions
• Cross-picking (not Jesse McReynolds style, just alternating)
• Grace notes/picked ornaments
• Right-hand patterns without fretting hand
• Fiddle chopping on mandolin
• Chord rhythm variations
• Open string exercises (removing fretting hand to fix picking)
• Rest str

Join Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin as they discuss gear essentials, touring adventures, and what happens when you remove a pickguard from your mandolin.

Hayes shares his inspiring experience at Blue Ridge Guitar Camp with flat-picking heroes and his recent European tour backing Beppe Gambetta in Italy.

Discover the community's favorite cleaning products—including the legendary Fast Fret string cleaner—and debate the pickguard question: does it really affect your tone?

Plus, hear about Southern Flavor, New Camptown Races, and why the Punch Brothers' latest release is absolutely worth your attention.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Show Notes

Topics Covered:

Blue Ridge Guitar Camp

• Hayes' experience at the prestigious North Carolina guitar camp
• Meeting and studying with Cody Kilby (six hours of instruction)
• Playing alongside bluegrass legends and instructors
• Leading jam sessions at the camp
• Collings Guitars video collaboration with Cody Kilby

Southern Flavor (Fiddle Tune Adaptation)

• A "deep cut" in bluegrass—rarely called at jam sessions
• Hayes teaching this tune to Magnus years ago
• The power of shared musical language and common repertoire
• Upcoming guitar and contest arrangement lessons from Hayes

New Camptown Races Project

• Magnus's detailed transcription and tutorial work
• Multiple versions and variations of the tune
• Jesse Brooks as an inspiration for "hero licks"
• Building resources for students: basic version + performance arrangement + hero licks series

Hayes' European Adventure: Italy with Beppe Gambetta

• Week-long visit to Genova, Italy with wife Quinn
• Three nights of concerts at the National Theater in Genova
• Collaborators: Trey Hensley and Maddie Denton (East Nash Grass)
• Theme: Jam band music focused on improvisation
• Hayes proposed to Quinn in Liguria, Italy (the region where Genova is located)

Community Music Choice: If You Could Only Listen to One Musician

• Chris: Steven Stills (solo), Fleetwood Mac (band)
• Jane: Cecilia Bartoli (Italian mezzo-soprano)
• Steve: Johann Sebastian Bach (composer/repertoire)
• Hayes: Jethro Burns (bridges country, fiddle, swing, and jazz)
• Magnus: Julian Lage or Chris Thile (contemporary, making new music)

• Recent discovery: Punch Brothers' new single "Song of the Water Kelpie" from their latest release
• Recommendation: Listen to audio first, then watch the music video to see how they layer instruments

The Pickguard Debate: Does It Affect Sound?

• Magnus's experimental video comparing mandolin sound with and without pickguard
• Findings: Subtle difference in high-end frequencies and pick noise
• Hayes' take: More treble and pick-string contact without the guard
• Pickguard blocks part of the F-hole, affecting airflow
• Magnus removed pickguard from his recording setup to eliminate pick-strike noise
• Different instruments respond differently to pickguard removal

Community Pickguard Opinions:

• Bob: Removed pickguard immediately; lighter touch means no protection needed
• Kit: Pickguard fell off mid-gig; got scratches on varnish—pickguard necessary
• Tim: Questions impact of pickguard blocking F-hole
• Hayes: Keeps pickguard on Red Diamond (likes the look, minimal tone difference)
• Buas mandolins: Standard without pickguards (no protection needed with proper technique)
• Northfield: Uses thin, close-to-strings pickguards

Cleaning & Maintenance Products

Magnus's Essential:

• GHS Fast Fret - String cleaner and lubricant
• Daily use for non-coated strings
• Extends string life significantly
• Removes hand oils and residue
• Lasts about 1-2 years before needing replacement

Community Recommendations:

• Martin Guitar Polish (lemony scent, popular for wiping down instruments)
• Music Nomad Fretboard F1 Oil (fretboard maintenance)
• Elderly Instruments Microfiber Cloths (high-quality polishing cloths)
• D'Addario Fretboard Lemon Oil (string change maintenance)
• Jim Dunlop Cleaning Sprays and Fretboard Oils

Hayes' Approach:

• Uses coated strings most of the time now
• Appreciates Fast Fret for extending uncoded string life
• Has oily hands; strings would go dead after one gig without maintenance

Featured Music:

• Punch Brothers - "Song of the Water Kelpie" (from latest album)

People Mentioned:

• Brian Sutton (Blue Ridge Guitar Camp instructor)
• Cody Kilby (guitarist, Blue Ridge Guitar Camp instructor)
• Beppe Gambetta (Italian bluegrass/traditional musician)
• Trey Hensley (guitarist)
• Maddie Denton (fiddler, East Nash Grass)
• Jethro Burns (mandolinist, Hayes' choice for lifetime listening)
• Julian Lage (contemporary guitarist/composer)
• Chris Thile (mandolinist/Punch Brothers frontman)
• Jesse Brooks (mandolinist)

Resources:

• Blue Ridge Guitar Camp
• Chapman's Acoustic Shop (Buas dealer in US)
• GHS Fast Fret product
• Elderly Instruments (quality cloths and maintenance supplies)
• Mandolin Secrets Academy (video version of this episode)
• Guitar Club (Hayes' online courses)

Join Magnus Zetterlund as he welcomes Swedish artist Malin Foxdal to discuss her journey with the octave mandolin, from knowing just four chords to performing solo concerts. Malin shares insights on her two new ensembles—one rooted in Swedish and Celtic folk, another exploring improvised poetry and jazz. Discover her philosophy of learning through doing, the liberating power of stage improvisation, and how the octave mandolin became her creative voice. Plus, hear live performances of "Ingens Lilla Flicka" and "I Sing" from her acclaimed music theater work about Swedish immigration, and learn Magnus's secret trait: unstoppable grit.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Malin Foxdal's website:
https://www.malinfoxdal.com/

Show Notes

Topics Covered:

Discovering the Octave Mandolin

• First encounter with Esbjörn Hazelius's instrument in 2009
• Buying an octave mandolin knowing only four chords—and never regretting it
• Why the octave mandolin creates a perfect "third voice" for singer-songwriters
• How it blends beautifully with violin, guitar, and other string instruments

Learning Philosophy: Be Brave & Curious

• Teaching yourself through performance rather than waiting to be "ready"
• The importance of getting on stage with whatever you know
• Adding songs one by one to build your repertoire
• Learning to fail forward and staying curious to avoid boredom

New Musical Projects

• Trio with Emma Reid (violin) and Dan Knagg (multi-instrumentalist): Swedish and Celtic folk with newly composed music rooted in tradition
• Experimental trio with Anders Hagberg (flute/sax) and Rickard Åström (piano): Improvising poetry live on stage, including audience-contributed words
• The art of trust, presence, and listening in live improvisation

20 Years as an Artist

• Celebrating two decades of building experience and tools
• Recent album receiving fantastic reviews and cultural awards
• The journey from experimental beginnings to confident improvisation

Music Theater & Social Commentary

• "På andra sidan Swede Hollow" (On the Other Side of Swede Hollow): A play about Swedish immigration to America
• Drawing parallels between historical Swedish emigrants and modern immigrants to Sweden
• Using music theater to cultivate sympathy and perspective

Instrument Spotlight: Weber Bridger A

• Custom-made octave mandolin from Weber factory (2009/2010)
• Tuned G-D-A-E with flatwound strings for a mellow tone
• Comparing sounds with Magnus's similar model
• One of only two octave mandolins in their household!

Current Practice Focus

• Developing more rhythmical playing patterns
• Experimenting with picking hand technique
• Playing the same songs with fresh presence each time

Featured Music (Live Performances):

• "Ingens Lilla Flicka Längre" (No One's Little Girl Anymore) - Original composition with lyrics by poet Kristina Lugn
• "I Sing" - From the music theater "På andra sidan Swede Hollow" about Swedish immigration

Magnus's Secret Revealed: Malin shares that Magnus's defining trait is his unstoppable persistence—once he decides to do something, he never gives up. Pure grit!

Connect with Malin Foxdal: Website: malinfoxdal.com Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all streaming platforms

Recommended Albums:

• Latest album celebrating 20 years as an artist
• "Natt Fjäril" (2010) - Gillian Welch songs interpreted in Swedish with an Americana vibe
• "Jag längtade" - Traditional Swedish folk songs with blues/Americana touch

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Esbjörn Hazelius (Swedish musician)
• Emma Reid (violinist from Newcastle, England)
• Dan Knagg (multi-instrumentalist)
• Anders Hagberg (flutist/soprano saxophonist)
• Rickard Åström (pianist)
• Gillian Welch (American songwriter)
• Kristina Lugn (Swedish poet)

Resources:

• Full video performances available exclusively in Mandolin Secrets Academy
• Previous podcast episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Join Magnus Zetterlund as he sits down with Swedish mandolin player, bandleader, and composer Karl Tirén to discuss his innovative Atlas project—a unique trio featuring mandolin, trombone, and double bass. Karl shares his compositional process, the journey from injury to inspiration with the tune "At Last," and how he practices through playing rather than drilling scales.

Links:

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Connect with Karl Tirén: Instagram: @karltiren.music

https://www.instagram.com/karltiren.music

Bandcamp - Karl Tiren

https://karltiren.bandcamp.com/album/atlas

Music available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all streaming platforms Physical CDs available by contacting Karl directly

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rlnxnGG3xgGMG16lRIh7D?si=VxT_r2iJRQ-OoaEf0x8Ybg

Mandolin Secrets Academy

https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/academy

Topics Covered:

The Atlas Project

• Unique instrumentation: mandolin, trombone (Magnus Grumer), and double bass (Johan Lindblom)
• Released as three EPs, now available as a complete album
• Blending American mandolin traditions with Scandinavian sensibilities
• Modern approach to releasing music in the streaming era

Composition & Creative Process

• Karl's workflow: starting with instrumental phrases that "stick"
• Voice memos and long-form development (some tunes take years)
• Writing specifically for ensemble voices (like "Tromb" for trombone)
• Balancing melody and rhythm on the mandolin

Practice Philosophy

• "Practice listening" as the foundation
• Desire-driven rather than strictly disciplined approach
• Learning through playing tunes instead of isolated exercises
• Influences from David Grisman, Chris Thile, and Brazilian mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda

Overcoming Injury

• Karl's tendonitis story and years away from playing
• How Atlas bandmates share a history of performance injuries
• The importance of listening to your body
• "At Last" as a turning point in regaining inspiration

Band Leadership

• Self-releasing music without a record label
• Building a touring quartet (adding trumpet player Karl Valmyr)
• Balancing music with day jobs
• Planning and sustaining a long-term project

Instruments

• Karl's Bouvier F-style mandolin (refinished from purple!)
• Also plays a Nordic flat-top mandola by Mats Nordvall
• Discussion of American vs. Nordic mandolin traditions

Featured Music:

• Åre Polskan (Swedish traditional, mandolin duo with Magnus)
• "At Last" (original composition that launched the Atlas project)
• "Tromb" (written specifically for trombone)
• Bridal march (Scandinavian-influenced original)
• Bach Menuet in G Major (duo arrangement)

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Johan Lindblom (double bass)
• Magnus Grumer (trombone)
• Karl Valmyr (trumpet)
• Former band: Primus Motor
• Hamilton de Holanda (Brazilian mandolinist)
• Mats Nordvall (Nordic mandolin builder)

Resources:

• Full video version available in Mandolin Secrets Academy
• Bach Menuet and Åre Polskan arrangements available in the Academy

Go behind the scenes as Magnus Zeterlund breaks down his latest release, "Bingsjö Lilla Långdans"—a traditional Swedish tune reimagined on electric octave mandolin and guitar.

Discover how he adapted the melody, layered harmonies across different octaves, and programmed drums in Logic Pro.

Magnus shares his workflow for multitracking, why he chose certain tones, and the three biggest lessons learned: separating instrument sounds, editing drums at the event level, and deciding track length early.

Perfect for musicians curious about the creative and technical process of bringing traditional music into a modern recording.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Please watch video and listen to performance by following the link below.
https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/bingsjo-lilla-langdans

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this episode:
Magnus Zetterlund takes a deep dive into his unique mandolin arrangement of the 1940 Disney classic. Using an AI-generated technical overview as a jumping-off point, he explores the intersection of music theory, instrument physics, and emotional delivery.

Technical Key Points Covered:

• The "Spice" of the A7#5: Why Magnus used an augmented dominant chord to create tension and Sophistication in the A-section.
• Harmonic Sophistication: A breakdown of the Dm7(b5) to G7 (ii-V-I) progression and how it adds a jazz flavor to the traditional melody.
• Position & Timbre: Why fretboard geography matters. Comparing the "warm, rounded" tones of the lower frets to the "bright, bell-like" quality of the higher fret voicings.

Resources Mentioned:

• Magnus Zetterlund’s Lead Sheet: The original PDF arrangement of When You Wish Upon a Star.
• AI Technical Overview: A digital analysis of the harmonic complexity within the manuscript.

>> Download free mandolin chord charts at my website:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/wish-upon-a-star

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Join Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin as they wrap up 2025 and dive into the real work happening in practice rooms across the mandolin community. In this candid conversation, Magnus and Hayes get technical about pick slanting and escape motions—the breakthrough technique that's transforming their playing after decades of double-escaping. They also tackle practical questions from the community about practice routines, gear choices, and how to stay motivated on your musical journey.

Whether you're a beginner finding your way or an experienced player refining your technique, this episode offers honest insights into the practice process and what it takes to keep growing as a musician.

Topics Covered:

Pick Slanting & Single Escape Technique

• Magnus shares his breakthrough moment with pick slanting after 30 years of playing
• Understanding supination vs. pronation and rest strokes vs. escape strokes
• Why this isn't just about speed—it's about efficient, powerful single-note picking
• Practical demonstrations of two-note and four-note per string patterns
• How to build vocabulary from mechanical exercises

Practice Priorities

• Hayes on the importance of tracking your practice (and his 20-month tracking gap)
• Magnus's focus on right-hand technique and melodic adjustments
• Community members share their goals: learning scales, memorizing the fretboard, and diving into Nordic folk tunes

Gear Talk: Cases & Gig Bags

• Finding the right fit for different instruments and situations
• Hard cases vs. soft cases: when to use each
• Magnus's search for the perfect electric octave mandolin case (spoiler: Strandberg guitar bags might be the answer)
• Community recommendations including Colorado Case Company, Blue Heron, TKL, and Northfield cases

Looking Ahead to 2026

• Magnus's new Octave Mandolin Course now available
• Plans for a Nordic Folk Guitar course coming in spring 2026
• Hayes's upcoming European tour in May (details TBA)
• New Guitar Club content and guided courses on the horizon

Community Insights

• How joining Mandolin Secrets Academy increases practice frequency and commitment
• The power of putting "skin in the game" for your musical development

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Mandolin Secrets Academy (mandolinsecrets.com)
• Previous podcast episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast
• Hayes's tour with Beppe Gambetta
• Magnus's collaboration with Johan Eriksson Rapp

Connect With Us: Watch the video version of this episode exclusively inside Mandolin Secrets Academy, or find all previous episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Beppe Gambetta website:

https://beppegambetta.com/

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing:

• What are the best practice advice or helpful tips you have learned?
• Did you attend any good concerts this summer?
• Magnus biggest take aways from the workshops at Grenna Bluegrass Festival with Tristan Scroggins
• Magnus’s new video lesson for pinky power.
• Hayes’ new video for Northfield Signal Electric Guitar.
• Hayes’ new Bulas two-point mandolin.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Bulas Instruments

https://bulas.pl/en-us

Northield Mandolins

https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing:

• When getting started, were you mostly self-taught or did you take lessons?
• What got you to pick up the mandolin the first time?
• Magnus is sharing videos of himself testing out the entire mandolin family: mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, and mandocello.
• Hayes is sharing info and details about his new beginner course “Play Bluegrass Guitar in 30 days”.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund interviews one of the young mandolin stars in the bluegrass scene, Tristan Scroggins. He is a musician based in Nashville, and we recorded this episode while he’s on tour with Missy Raines’ band.

The episode is full of good tips from a professional music maker, and there is an exciting discussion about:

• Being on the road
• Women in bluegrass music
• Learning from other instruments like banjo and fiddle
• How to get the most out of camps and workshops
• + Much more

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

The website of Tristan Scroggins
https://tristanscroggins.com/

Grenna Bluegrass Festival 16 August 2025 Workshops 13th-15th.
https://www.grennabluegrass.se/

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing:

• What are your thoughts about the electric mandolin?
• Hayes’s new video lesson about The OTHER mandolin scale you need to know
• What is the most stupid comment you got when you said you play the mandolin?

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Jonathan Mann, Electric Mandolins

http://www.manndolins.com/

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing:

• Learning a new instrument.
• 5 Tips for Jam Sessions
• The great online resource for learning the bass guitar, Study Bass by Andrew Pouska
• Things to consider when purchasing an instrument.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Study Bass, Andrew Pouska

https://www.studybass.com/

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this podcast episode, I(Magnus Zetterlund) am chatting with my student, David Betcher, from Michigan, USA. A few of the subjects we touched upon are:

• Taking one step back to take two steps ahead.
• Learning to play the mandolin as an adult differs from learning to play as a kid.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

If you want personal guidance from Magnus, you can follow this link to book an intro call:
https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/apply

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing:

• What is your biggest struggle when it comes to fretboard knowledge?
• How do you visualize scales on the mandolin and guitar? Boxes, finger patterns, etc.
• Is there a book you’ve read that was valuable for your music playing?
• Magnus’s new video lesson shows a hero lick from Sierra Hull.
• The upcoming Fretboard Success program, in April 2025.
• Hayes’s one string guitar solo.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Fretboard Success - Master the mandolin fretboard
http://www.mandolinsecrets.com/fretboardsuccess

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing:

• Where do you find the songs/tunes that inspire you?
• Do you have music goals for 2025?
• Magnus’s new YouTube video where he shows his pedal board with mandolin effects.
• Hayes’s new metal guitar arrangement of Big Sciota.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this month’s episode, Magnus interviews one of the most innovative mandolin players on the world, Radim Zenkl, from the Czech Republic. He plays a variety of styles and genres and has a career in both USA and Europe.

The episode is full of good tips from a professional music maker, and there is an exciting discussion about:

• Finding your own style
• Being influenced about different music genres
• Being a professional musician
• + Much more

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

The website of Radim Zenkl:
https://zenkl.com/

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

In this podcast episode, Hayes Griffin and Magnus Zetterlund are discussing:

• What music-related items are on your holiday wish list this year?
• Does your mood affect your music playing or practice?
• Are you joining the Mandolin Player’s Holiday Challenge?
• Magnus’s new three-part arrangement of We Wish You A Merry Christmas
• Hayes’s guitar arrangements of We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show:

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Welcome to the MANDOLIN PLAYER'S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE (Your FREE 5-Day Video Course)
https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/holiday