Mandolin Secrets Podcast

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