Mandolin 101 with Avi Avital

World-renowned Avi Avital gives us an introduction to the mandolin, explains what makes his instrument so special, and explains his unique journey to becoming a professional mandolin player.

[@datsunlambchops4624]

I would love to find a video of Avi and Tom Cohen playing together, some balkan music.
It would be amazing.
I grew up as a bass player and my grandmother had a mandolin in her home that she played a little. Then years later when i was 19 I found myself in Budapest ( i am from the very far northwest of Canada, the forest. Lol) and here i heard klezmer music for the first time. I felt very emotional towards that music. When i got back to canada many months later i spent my very, very last dollars on a old Japanese bowl back mandolin. And tried to emulate the klezmer sounds i had heard in Hungary. Being in my region of Canada and the internet not being what it is today it was near impossible. But surprisingly i found a little in the library. I kept playing and playing. And then started finding myself in the balkans. And through music found myself i so many amazing situations, and met so many wonderful people. Spending alot of time in Serbia i met and become friends with the Roma players(gypsies) and met Djula. He was a amazing accordion player. God bless him.
Long story short, mandolin and music has lead, and taken me so far and wide in life sometimes i am amazed and grateful. As well as perplexed on how my life has been.
Now Covid has left myself and so many of my friends unable to gather and play music for people. Stay strong and practice 69 hours a day. It will end and music will fill hearts and minds again. Filling young and old with wonder and adventure.

[@robertshorthill6836]

Avi's mandolin is a unique work of art. The sound it produces can fill a concert environment. A very beautiful instrument and a very superb & talented person playing it

[@chiron14pl]

I've enjoyed your work for a while, so it was nice to learn a bit about your background, thx

[@thomasmcevilley2253]

thanks for the insightful and lucid talk

[@Marny5580]

Shalom! Avi, you look marvelous. When do you return to San Diego? Gentle as you go, Marny.

[@Marny5580]

Shalom, Avi. Marny here - in Vista CA. I posted this URL to a man in Berea Kentucky who makes mandolins. I hope he will watch you play. I would love to see you again. July loves you, too.

[@QuynhNhuMandolin]

Beautiful Kerman mandolin!

[@johnmurdoch8534]

When i hear the mandolin played in baroque pieces i sometimes get an echo fo a harpsichord..it pccupies that same plucked string sound one hears from a harpsichord...rsther than compared to a lute or any other stringed instrument.

[@yalauitarik]

Your mandolin sounds amazing. Like it very much.

[@patrickbly4170]

Very inspiring story with great character development.

[@isabelleg6720]

Very nice!

[@isilboaler]

I was at his concert in Chicago last night, was a superb performance. I wish I knew what the encore was, it was a concert.

[@pietbliksem]

I like your mandolin; and your sound! Boker tov!

[@nsa6865]

beauty of neapolitan music

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I play Mandolin too

[@Adam-fx7pi]

I wonder what peice is being played in the backround

[@trevortyler3624]

Bach's Partita No. 2 in D Minor Gigue

[@Adam-fx7pi]

Trevor Tyler thank u sm

[@johnandrewwayken4741]

How's the name of whom he says his mandolin got made by spelled?

[@lamilenariahistoria3934]

Gale Kerman I think

[@bohemian46]

@@lamilenariahistoria3934 Arik Kerman

[@WWS322]

Hello?