Mandolin Secrets Podcast

#37 Finding your own style with Radim Zenkl Jan 28, 2025

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 style
Being influenced about different music genres
Being a professional musician
+ Much more

Here 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

#36 Holiday greetings and gear talk Dec 23, 2024

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 Christmas
Hayes’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

#35 Play by tabs/notation vs by ear Nov 26, 2024

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

#34 How to succeed with contest playing Oct 29, 2024

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 contest
What makes a good contest repertoire
How to craft a winning arrangement
Hayes's new Collings guitar

Here 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

#33 Show up for the mandolin every day with Patricia Cleary Oct 01, 2024

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

#32 Play good bluegrass breaks with Hayes Griffin Sep 03, 2024

This month’s episode was recorded in a car, and Magnus and Hayes are having a discussion about:

Hayes’s visit to Sweden
the Grenna Bluegrass Festival
Leading workshops for players at different levels
Playing good bluegrass breaks
The art of slow and steady progress making
+ Much more

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Grenna Bluegrass Festival
https://www.grennabluegrass.se/

#31 Being a multi-instrumentalist with Ondra Kozák Aug 06, 2024

In this month’s episode, Magnus interviews one of Europe’s top bluegrass musicians, Ondra Kozák, from the Czech Republic. He plays mandolin, guitar, fiddle/violin, dobro, bass, etc.
The episode is full of good tips from a professional music maker, and there is an exciting discussion about:
- Being a multi-instrumentalist
- The bluegrass scene in the Czech Republic
- Being a professional musician
- + Much more
Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show:
The website of Ondra Kozák
https://ondrakozak.com/
Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#30 What is your favorite instrument shop and why? Jul 09, 2024

In this month’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

What is the best low-cost or "budget" instrument you've played?
What is your favorite instrument shop and why?
Do you perform any mandolin maintenance/repair yourself or take it to a luthier?
Magnus's new lesson for the fiddle tune Red Haired Boy with some Adam Steffey Hero Licks.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#29 What’s your favorite practice app? Jun 11, 2024

In this month’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

How do you visualize scales on the mandolin and guitar? Boxes, finger patterns, etc.
Anyone have a favorite app they use for practice?
Magnus’s new lesson release for I’ve found a new baby
Hayes’ guitar tube amps and the digital alternatives.
Magnus’s shares a story when he became the national TV guitarist.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#28 Do you know how to learn a song by ear? May 14, 2024

In this month’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

Do you use a tone-guard for your mandolin? Why or why not?
Do you know how to learn a song by ear? If so, how did you acquire this skill?
Magnus’s new lesson release for the Martin Taylor Jazz lick
Guitar Club: Mickey Abraham Chromatic Connecting Lines

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast
Martin Taylor Jazz Lick for Mandolin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwO7tUv99Ng&t=2s

Mickey Abraham Chromatic Connecting Lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUXt329eFu4

#27 What is one of the most frustrating things you’ve had to overcome in music? Apr 16, 2024

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

What is one of the most frustrating things you’ve had to overcome in music and how did you do it?
What does your practice routine look like right now?
What type of pick do you prefer and why?
Magnus's new lesson for Swedish fiddle-tune Hultkläppens Am Polska.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast
Troy Grady
https://troygrady.com/

#26 What are your tips for learning music by ear? Jan 25, 2024

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

Do you have music goals for the New Year?
What are your tips for learning music by ear?
Do you play other mandolin family instruments? (Octave mandolin, mandola, mandocello, etc.)

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#25 What is your proudest moment as a mandolin player? Sep 08, 2023

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

What is your proudest moment as a mandolin player?
Do you ever take breaks from playing music? For how long?
Magnus's new album “Nordic Symphonic”
Hayes teaching experience at “Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp”

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Nordic website:
https://www.nordicmusic.nu/

Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp
https://www.flatpik.com/steve-kaufmans-acoustic-kamp-overview

#24 What instrument pair best with the mandolin? Jun 04, 2023

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

What mandolin music are you listening to these days?
Does your instrument need a setup now that the weather is warmer?
New lesson with Nordic Folk Music, Vals efter Pål Karl
Hayes’ new album release with Appalachian Swing

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:

KRK Rokit 5 Studio Monitors
https://www.krkmusic.com/Studio-Monitors/ROKIT-5-G4
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#23 How well do you know your mandolin fretboard? Apr 21, 2023

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

How well do you know your mandolin fretboard?
Do you have any fun musical plans now that spring is here?
Mandolin Fretboard Webinar and Fretboard Success Program
DJANGOLOGY, new lesson
The travel vs music ration for the touring musician
The best practices for songwriting and recording a one man band

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Learn more about Mandolin Fretboard Webinar
https://mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

#22 What are your music goals for the New Year? Jan 27, 2023

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

What are your music goals for the New Year?
Let us know what you're practicing right now!
Guitar Club Transition

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#21 What got you to pick up the mandolin the first time? Dec 09, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

What got you to pick up the mandolin the first time?
Is music a social activity for you? Or do you just play by/for yourself?

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#20 What gear and software do you use for recording? Oct 21, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

Do you use a rounded pick or one with more of a point?
What are the top 3 qualities of your favorite musician?
Do you record yourself practicing or playing? What gear and/or software do you use?
Gear, software and musicians mentioned in the show:
- Olympus LS-14 hand recorder
- Jacob Jolliff Band - Outbound Plane

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#19 Magnus and Hayes Reunion Sep 09, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

Hayes’ and Magnus’ reunion after 7 years! Highlights include:

Swedish Midsummer
Torsåker Bluegrass Festival and Jimmy Sunnebrandt
Red Diamond Mandolins
Bingjsö Stämman
Ondra Kozak

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#18 What´s the worst musical advice? Aug 19, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

• Take aways from the music-summer so far.

• What is your favorite instrument that you own?

• What's the worst musical advice you were ever given?

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

#17 How to play swing rhythm? May 27, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

Hayes' upcoming Western Swing Rhythm Guitar Webinar
Do you teach mandolin or guitar? Tell us your #1 tip for folks trying to learn!
What mental tools do you rely on for improvisation? Arpeggios? Scales? Sounds inside your head?
Magnus' upcoming Jazz Mandolin Webinar

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

Learn more about the upcoming Western Swing webinar on May 28th, 2022:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/guitarwebinar

Learn more about the upcoming Jazz Mandolin webinar on June 11th, 2022:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

#16 Transcription Tips with Marcel Ardans Apr 08, 2022

In this week’s episode, Hayes chats with special guest Marcel Ardans of Lessons with Marcel about transcription, the world of online content creation, and some tips for how to start working out music by ear.

Here are the web links mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

Lessons with Marcel

https://lessonswithmarcel.com

#15 How to play FAST & FLUENT? Mar 11, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes are discussing:

Magnus’ new Academy release Covid Fever. This tune is a new composition and his first bluegrass fiddletune, inspired by Bill Monroe.
If you could take a lesson with any player out there, who would it be and why?
Do you use a metronome and/or backing tracks to practice? If so, what are some of your favorites?

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:

Learn more about the upcoming Mandolin Bootcamp, March 2022
https://mandolinsecrets.com/bootcamp

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

#14 What is Crosspicking? Jan 28, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

• What are the most essential components of your practice space?

• Some favorite cleaning/maintenance products for your instrument.

• We are listening to Hayes new sophisticated arrangement of Angeline The Baker.

Here are the web links mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

Learn more about the upcoming crosspicking webinar on January 29th, 2022:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

Learn more about our Mandolin Crosspicking Video Course:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/crosspicking

#13 Do you have any New Year's resolutions for music? Jan 14, 2022

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes catch up after the New Year, discussing:

Do you have any New Year's resolutions for music?
Do you have any tips for fingerboard mapping (memorizing the notes on the fingerboard)?
Magnus new cross picking arrangement of Auld Lang Syne

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Your Best Year Ever (book by Michael Hyatt):
https://yourbestyeareverbook.com/

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

#12 What´s on your holiday wish list? Dec 17, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

Any gear or other music-related stuff on your holiday wishlist this year?
What guitar/mandolin case are you using?
The new Jingle Bells Mandolin Lesson
The Guitar Club is Officially launched

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show:

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

#11 Playing through your mistakes with Lama Adam Berner Nov 12, 2021

In this week’s episode, Hayes chats with special guest Lama Adam Berner about mindfulness, music, and playing through your mistakes:

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Support Lama Adam:
https://www.lamaadam.com/

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

Learn more about the Mandolin Secrets Guitar Club:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/guitar

#10 The Mindful Music Maker - Posture Oct 08, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

What does it mean to be a mindful music maker?
The importance of mindfulness, breathing, Alexander technique and yoga
Tips about posture

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Book by Ellen J.Langer
The Power of Mindful Learning

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

#9 Sitting or Standing While You Play Sep 24, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

Have you ever played an instrument with torrefied wood? What did you think?
Do you prefer sitting or standing while you play? Why?
Do you want to improvise more freely? Then join us in the upcoming Mandolin Fretboard Webinar

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show. Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

Learn more about the webinar: https://mandolinsecrets.com/webinar

#8 Best Tips for Recording Sessions Sep 10, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

Do you have any tips for recording sessions?
What microphone/s do you prefer for live shows?
Do you use a pickup on your acoustic mandolin?
Magnus’ new music video and lessons for Waltz of the Dreams
Microphones for recording sessions
Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Listen to Waltz of the Dreams: https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/waltzofthedreams

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

#7 Where do you find the songs that inspire you? Aug 13, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

Our Question of the Week:

• Do you do any mandolin maintenance/repair yourself or take it to a luthier?

• Where do you find the songs that inspire you?

• Hayes’ new chord lesson for “It Don’t Mean a Thing”

• Chromatic Embellishment of Static Harmony (CESH)

• Listen to Magnus Nordic Folk Guitar

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

It Don’t Mean a Thing - Youtube Lesson
https://youtu.be/oAjd9I1ARsM

Related musicians:
Duke Ellington

#6 Do you have a successful practice routine you'd like to share? Jul 30, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

Do you have a successful practice routine you'd like to share?
Do you play any non-mandolin family instruments? If so, which ones?
Do you ever use alternate tunings for mandolin? If so, which ones?
Hayes’ new lesson for “It Don’t Mean a Thing”
Do you notate music? Any software you recommend?

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.

Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

It Don’t Mean a Thing - Yotube Lesson
https://youtu.be/6X37UgDPZbQ

Ipad Apps,
Forscore, Symphony Pro, Musescore

Highlighted musicians:
Duke Ellington, Jethro Burns

#5 What’s the most helpful tip you have gotten? Jul 02, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

What is the best practice advice or helpful tip you have gotten?
What is your favorite accessory for your mandolin?
We have a listen to Magnus new release: Mandolife
Magnus shares the first sneak peaks of his 100 years old Levin Parlour Guitars.

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live
Mandolife
https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/mandolife

#4 How to make crosspicking arrangements? Jun 18, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

How to make crosspicking arrangements?
What is a pick ornament?
Do you use any non-musical practices like meditation/exercise/yoga to help your mandolin playing?
What do you find most challenging about playing the mandolin?

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live

Pick Ornaments for Mandolin Playing - Tutorial
https://youtu.be/irBbLGsonJo

#3 Do you take the solo? Jun 04, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:
Do you have a song/tune you're trying to master on mandolin right now?
Who has a funny/odd/interesting mandolin story to tell? Please share below! 😀
New lessons: Bluegrass Stomp + 10 Minute Challenge
Do you take the solo?
Magnus shares his mandolin story that led him to meeting the love of his life
Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live
Bill Monroe Lick - Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson
https://youtu.be/BHT8wIGFFGc
Highlighted musicians:
Jamey Aebersold, Mattias Perez, Malin Foxdal, David Rawlings

#2 What motivates you to keep practicing? May 26, 2021

In this week’s episode, Magnus and Hayes discuss:

Do you play other mandolin family instruments?
What motivates you to keep practicing the mandolin?
Using the Crosspicking technique for accompaniment.

Here are weblinks mentioned in the show.
Sign up for LIVE stream notifications:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/live
Listen to Tremology by Magnus Zetterlund:
https://mandolinsecrets.com/tremology
Mentioned musicians: Alec Finn, Donnal Lunny, Andy Irvine