Advertise on podcast: Mandolin Secrets 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 playingUnderstanding supination vs. pronation and rest strokes vs. escape strokesWhy this isn't just about speed—it's about efficient, powerful single-note pickingPractical demonstrations of two-note and four-note per string patternsHow to build vocabulary from mechanical exercisesPractice Priorities Hayes on the importance of tracking your practice (and his 20-month tracking gap)Magnus's focus on right-hand technique and melodic adjustmentsCommunity members share their goals: learning scales, memorizing the fretboard, and diving into Nordic folk tunesGear Talk: Cases & Gig Bags Finding the right fit for different instruments and situationsHard cases vs. soft cases: when to use eachMagnus'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 casesLooking Ahead to 2026 Magnus's new Octave Mandolin Course now availablePlans for a Nordic Folk Guitar course coming in spring 2026Hayes's upcoming European tour in May (details TBA)New Guitar Club content and guided courses on the horizonCommunity Insights How joining Mandolin Secrets Academy increases practice frequency and commitmentThe power of putting "skin in the game" for your musical developmentMentioned in This Episode: Mandolin Secrets Academy (mandolinsecrets.com)Previous podcast episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcastHayes's tour with Beppe GambettaMagnus'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/ Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 ScrogginsMagnus’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/ Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 roadWomen in bluegrass music Learning from other instruments like banjo and fiddleHow to get the most out of camps and workshops+ Much moreHere 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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 knowWhat 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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: Learning a new instrument.5 Tips for Jam SessionsThe great online resource for learning the bass guitar, Study Bass by Andrew PouskaThings 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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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   Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 styleBeing influenced about different music genresBeing a professional musician + Much moreHere 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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

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 ChristmasHayes’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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

In this podcast episode, Hayes Griffin and Magnus Zetterlund are discussing: The 5th anniversary of Mandolin Secrets Academy. How to use the powerful back-chaining technique while memorizing music. Playing baroque music on the mandolin while highlighting Magnus’s new classical mandolin lesson “The prelude from Bach’s 1st Cello Suite”. We asked our community: Do you mostly play by tabs, notation, or by ear?Do you mostly play by tabs, notation, by ear, or by eye and ear?Do you attend music camps? If so, which ones?This week marks our 5th anniversary for our membership! Can you mention one thing that Mandolin Secrets Academy has done for you?Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

In this podcast episode, Hayes Griffin and Magnus Zetterlund discuss the interesting subject of contest playing. Why do it? How to apply? What to focus on? It's not only a general discussion; they also look deeper at Hayes's successful adventure when he placed 2nd at Walnut Valley Festival, National Flat-Picking Championships, Winfield, KS, in September 2024.  We are highlighting: The good reasons to attend a contestWhat makes a good contest repertoireHow to craft a winning arrangementHayes's new Collings guitarHere are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Walnut Valley Festival, National Flat-Picking Championships, Winfield, KS: https://www.wvfest.com/ Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

Magnus interviews mandolin player Patricia Cleary from Seattle in this month's episode. She's a member of Mandolin Secrets Academy and talks about her way of keeping focus and showing up for the mandolin daily with Magnus's guidance. It's inspiring to listen to her interesting view on the mandolin as a great depressant and anti-anxiety.  "You can't be angry or sad playing the mandolin; it evokes so much joy!" 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 Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

This month’s episode was recorded in a car, and Magnus and Hayes are having a discussion about:  Hayes’s visit to Swedenthe Grenna Bluegrass FestivalLeading workshops for players at different levelsPlaying good bluegrass breaksThe art of slow and steady progress making+ Much moreHere are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Grenna Bluegrass Festival https://www.grennabluegrass.se/ Master the Mandolin Fretboard! - Join us for the webinar https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/webinar