#52 Mando Mike on Teaching, Technique & the Broken Hand - Podcast Episode

Join Magnus 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.

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

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

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 strokes