**Update**December 2004**

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful handcrafted, one of a kind, f-style mandolin, made by family friend and luthier, Larry Hopkins. Red Spruce top, Red Maple Back, Mahogany neck, and a strip of Ebony up the back. I traded in my Juzek as a down payment, which was kind of sad. But I still have my cracker jack one to fiddle around on ;)

This page basically started as just a reference for me, but many people ask what I'm playing, so I did a quick job of making this an actual webpage. I play a Fender FM-53S Mandolin and play around on a 1930's Juzek Fiddle. Started out on fiddle in early 2002 and then switched primarily over to mandolin about a year later. Chris also plays mandolin, a Hopkins A-Style. Logan has started fiddle lessons again, and he can often be found in his room playing around on recorder, keyboard, and harmonica. He has a good ear, as well as a good memory and recall, so I'm looking forward to seeing his abilities grow. We have all sorts of instruments around, and I'm told thats the key to sparking an interest.

While I am proud of my progress, I still consider myself a beginner. There are too many skills and songs I want to master before I will feel I can be considered intermediate. I learn stuff very quickly, and most importantly, retain it very well. My speed is progressing nicely, although my pinky doesn't want to cooperate as readily as the rest....but it's getting there! I've been wanting to take some lessons as well as an ear training course. I have an amazing ear, but don't have the knowledge to use it to it's full potential. My mental jukebox has been a wonderful asset for learning, retaining, and changing tunes....I just wish there was a mute button when bedtime comes around :-P

Well here ye go...the tunes I know. Some I know and play better than others, some I only know by recognition and have to play through it once real quick to remember it...but either way I'm pleased with what I've learned in just 2 years :-D The keys indicated are the key I learned them in, not necessarily the way I play them now :)

G

D

A

C

F