Comments from people using my materials...

Here are a few comments I've received from people who are using my videos and eBooks. I'd love to hear from you too!

Brad:
Love your lessons.   They are very good, concise enough to be efficient, but thorough enough to teach and answer most questions. I really like them.

Todd in USA

Lots of great (free) stuff for sure and the stuff you pay for is even better. Brad is a great teacher and explains things in great detail. You can't go wrong here folks.

Larry in W. Virginia

Brad, I am learning to play the mandolin with your video series and just want to let you know how much I am enjoying the lessons. FINALLY! Someone who actually makes sense when explaining music theory! Your lessons are so clear, complete and concise….certainly beats the gibberish and ‘secret speak’ I’ve heard from others.
Regards,

Gary in Virginia

Hi Brad,

I'm 2 days into mandolin. I really enjoy your instructional videos. They are very straightforward. Each lesson is easy to master (well, so far anyhow), and they fit together very nicely.

Thank you for these.
Tony in Virginia

I want to thank Brad for the "Soloing in Moveable Positions" video (Nine Pound Hammer). I've been playing for 1-2 years and had been taking breaks during jams. This video has given me a tool I have already used many times.

Last night someone asked me if I had been sleeping with my mando under my pillow cuz' I've gotten so much better in one week. This video is worth many times the money I spent on it - and I haven't even had a chance to play Nine Pound Hammer yet in a jam - but a whole bunch of other songs in other keys.

Brad, wanted to let you know there is at least one mando player getting great benefit from your videos.

Thanks,

Larry in Wisconsin

Hi, Brad.

I want to thank you for the free and premium lessons you have made available
on the website.

Your lessons on Salt Creek and Sittin' on Top of the World have given me
great confidence that I might actually be able to improve where I'm struggling.
It is hard for me to put into words, but I'll try: Though I can read music and
I think I have a pretty good ear for hearing melodies, I haven't been able to
"get a feel" for a song, interpret the correct syncopation, etc.

Your teaching style is excellent, and the pace of your lessons on the two songs
mentioned above is perfect for me. I can't tell you how thankful I am for your
help. Hope you'll post more lessons, especially on bluegrass standards.

Thanks again for your help.

Rick in Colorado

Hey Brad,
Recently found this site and downloaded your Building Blocks video.
I also have your two books "Master Class" and "Training Camp".
Great stuff. I've learned a lot and am still learning. Keep up the good work. You are very much appreciated.
Roger in California

Brad,
I've been at mandolin for over twenty years and have struggled for the most of it. Your lessons on improvising the pentatonic scale opened a new door for me. I have always hated having to just memorize tab, and always knew there was something very important I was missing. It was the pentatonic scale! I had been playing it all along and didn't realize it. I didn't understand it and was just stuck memorizing other peoples versions of tunes.

I feel like the proverbial light bulb has at last been turned on. You have no idea how grateful I am. I just turned 62 this month, retired, and now plan to really learn to play.

Howard from Indiana

Hola Brad

I just wanted to say hi and tell you how much I have enjoyed your mando videos.  I picked up the mando a few months back coming from a guitar back ground.  Your videos offer the perfect building blocks for "breaking the code" especially for somebody with some musical background.  After running through the Pentatonic videos I was able to put together some modest solos. 

I really enjoyed the moveable blues licks and the turnaround videos.  Are there anymore videos and lessons in the works?

Be happy knowing that your licks are being played in Mexico by a bunch of expats keeping American roots music alive and well in the third world.

Todd in Mexico

Brad,
About 2 weeks ago, I bought the pentatonic series from the website. It is as if a magical key had been presented to me. Your lessons literally unlocked a lot of things that I knew "kind of" worked when improvising, but had never been completely sure. Lately I've been translating your "moveable blues licks" lessons to Blues Harp. It really is as if Monte had me open door number 3. (We're probably about the same vintage, circa 1958, so I'll assume you recognize that particular cultural icon.)

As a former "Band Geek," I've had a very long background in READING music but have never figured out how to improvise. Your video lessons have helped me out immensely.

Thanks for all that you've done to promote the mandolin on the web.

Eric in Illinois, USA

Hi Brad

Thanks for the lessons. Someone like me (never managed to stick at an instrument for too long) needs that instant availability of instruction to get over the initial hurdles and prevent learning bad habits. My wife thinks you are very cool... maybe partly due to the fact that your lessons are reducing the cacophony in our house (it's a banjo mandolin).

Derek in Australia

Brad:

I can tell from your free lessons that you're an excellent teacher of the mandolin. Great pacing for novices like myself and clear descriptions of the patterns of scales...  I just bought my first mandolin today and this evening began searching for tips or instruction for the mandolin, and found a YouTube of you.  

Walt in USA

Brad:

I am a violin player and beginner mandolin player... I will definitely be returning for more instruction...

Cathleen in USA

Hi Brad

I finally got a few of your downloads and just wanted to tell you again what a great job you do.  REALLY.  There's a lot of folks out there "teaching" mandolin, but you are just superb!  I'm a college librarian out on the west coast, 56 years old, and just took up the mandolin a few days ago.  I'm still recuperating from knee surgery, so figured this would be a good time to learn the mandolin.  I've played guitar since I was 13 and always liked the sound and feel of the mandolin.  I always wanted to learn, just never had the time.  So, out of the blue, last week I bought a modest F-Style, and I've been loving it!  I wanted to know as much as I could about the mandolin and playing right away.  I found a YouTube of you among a slew of others and immediately recognized what a well-crafted, thoughtful approach you offer.  

Again, THANKS!  I'm eating up the video downloads.  Your examples are so clear, and you explain the connections and patterns in a way that really hits home.  You have a nice presence, you're well spoken, clear of voice, and the shots of your fingers on the fret board are very well done.  You skillfully convey your information in a well-organized manner, yet it's dense with great tips and new ways to look at things.  I feel as though you've given my mandolin playing the opportunity to really take off.  I'm indebted.  Thanks, again.  Be well and happy pickin' to you, too!

Walter in USA

Dear Brad, I am a fairIy recent student of the mandolin. I am currently studying your lesson for "Blackberry Blossom", which like all of your lessons is fantastic. I have found your lessons on improvisation while using the Pentatonic scales to be invaluable. Thanks again.

Bob in New York, USA

Hello!
Hope everyone is having a good day. First I want to say that you have the best instructional video's around, and believe me I have tried a bunch of them. Second, Brad Laird is a fantastic instructor. I am a beginner on the Mandolin and with your material I am learning a lot and enjoying myself. Thank you for all your help and keep up the great work.

Mark in Illinois, USA

Hey Brad,
I have been playing mandolin for three years. I have purchased several DVD's and VHS's of other instructors, and frankly have been frustrated from them. I thought I was just too thick headed to learn, but after reading some of your testimonials, I see it might not be me. I learned your Turnaround in D in no time. You are simply the best instructor I have ever seen. Oh, I didn't say I have been to several mandolin workshops, too...

Thanks, Carolyn from Turner, Maine

These video mandolin lessons have taught thousands of people to play because they really work! Try them and see for yourself.