Mandolin Secrets Podcast

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 Fre...

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...

Join Magnus Zetterlund as he sits down with Swedish mandolin player, bandleader, and composer Karl Tirén to discuss his innovative Atlas project—a unique trio featuring mandolin, trombone, and double bass. Karl shares his compositional process, the journey from injury to inspiration with the tune "At Last," and how he practices through playing rather than drilling scales. Links: Visit ou...

Go behind the scenes as Magnus Zeterlund breaks down his latest release, "Bingsjö Lilla Långdans"—a traditional Swedish tune reimagined on electric octave mandolin and guitar. Discover how he adapted the melody, layered harmonies across different octaves, and programmed drums in Logic Pro. Magnus shares his workflow for multitracking, why he chose certain tones, and the three biggest les...

In this episode: Magnus Zetterlund takes a deep dive into his unique mandolin arrangement of the 1940 Disney classic. Using an AI-generated technical overview as a jumping-off point, he explores the intersection of music theory, instrument physics, and emotional delivery. Technical Key Points Covered: The "Spice" of the A7#5: Why Magnus used an augmented dominant chord to create tension...

Join Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin as they wrap up 2025 and dive into the real work happening in practice rooms across the mandolin community. In this candid conversation, Magnus and Hayes get technical about pick slanting and escape motions—the breakthrough technique that's transforming their playing after decades of double-escaping. They also tackle practical questions from the commun...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: What are the best practice advice or helpful tips you have learned? Did you attend any good concerts this summer? Magnus biggest take aways from the workshops at Grenna Bluegrass Festival with Tristan Scroggins Magnus’s new video lesson for pinky power. Hayes’ new video for Northfield Signal Electric Guitar. Hayes’ new Bu...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: When getting started, were you mostly self-taught or did you take lessons? What got you to pick up the mandolin the first time? Magnus is sharing videos of himself testing out the entire mandolin family: mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, and mandocello. Hayes is sharing info and details about his new beginner course “Pl...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund interviews one of the young mandolin stars in the bluegrass scene, Tristan Scroggins. He is a musician based in Nashville, and we recorded this episode while he’s on tour with Missy Raines’ band.  The episode is full of good tips from a professional music maker, and there is an exciting discussion about: Being on the road Women in bluegrass music  Learnin...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: What are your thoughts about the electric mandolin? Hayes’s new video lesson about The OTHER mandolin scale you need to know What is the most stupid comment you got when you said you play the mandolin? Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Jonathan Mann, Electric Mandolins http://www.manndolins.com/ Visit our websi...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: Learning a new instrument. 5 Tips for Jam Sessions The great online resource for learning the bass guitar, Study Bass by Andrew Pouska Things to consider when purchasing an instrument. Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Study Bass, Andrew Pouska https://www.studybass.com/ Visit our website for more episodes: htt...

In this podcast episode, I(Magnus Zetterlund) am chatting with my student, David Betcher, from Michigan, USA. A few of the subjects we touched upon are: Taking one step back to take two steps ahead. Learning to play the mandolin as an adult differs from learning to play as a kid. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast If you want personal guidance from Magnus, you...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: What is your biggest struggle when it comes to fretboard knowledge? How do you visualize scales on the mandolin and guitar? Boxes, finger patterns, etc.  Is there a book you’ve read that was valuable for your music playing? Magnus’s new video lesson shows a hero lick from Sierra Hull. The upcoming Fretboard Success progra...

In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: Where do you find the songs/tunes that inspire you? Do you have music goals for 2025? Magnus’s new YouTube video where he shows his pedal board with mandolin effects.  Hayes’s new metal guitar arrangement of Big Sciota. Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecre...

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 B...

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 web...

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,...

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 go...

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 pla...

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/podc...

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 ...

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 s...

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 epis...

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:/...

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 episod...