u/uygarmando

I’m curious about the workflow of DJs who combine DJing with a live instrument — sax, trumpet, percussion, violin, guitar, etc.

I’m a mandolinist and DJ myself, and one of the things I’m trying to improve is the way I discover and curate music specifically for this kind of hybrid performance.

For those of you doing this:

* Where do you usually discover your music? * Are there particular scenes, labels or producers that you tend to explore more than others? * Do you have any regular digging/curation routine — weekly searches, playlists, tags, crates, Bandcamp digging, following labels/artists, listening to other DJs, etc.?

I already have a pretty large music library, so I'm not really looking for individual track recommendations. I'm much more interested in **the process behind building a good hybrid DJ/live-instrument repertoire**.

Would love to hear different approaches. I think this could be a useful discussion for other DJs combining instruments with their sets too.

It could be about its history, sound, relationship with other instruments, or cultural journey.

What fact do you think would surprise people the most?

I’m sure most musicians go through periods when practicing feels frustrating, progress seems slow, or playing starts to feel more like work than something enjoyable.

When you find yourself in that kind of mood, what do you turn to?

Are there particular musicians, videos, performances, songs, films, books, comedy accounts, or personal rituals that help you laugh, feel inspired, and reconnect with the joy of making music?

I’d love to hear about the things that lift your spirits and make you want to pick up your instrument again.

I’m sure we all go through periods when practicing feels frustrating—when progress seems slow, certain techniques refuse to improve, or playing simply stops feeling as enjoyable as it normally does.

When that happens, what do you turn to in order to reconnect with the fun of playing mandolin?

It could be a particular musician, a funny video, an inspiring performance, an easy tune you love playing, or even a completely non-musical source of joy.

What helps you laugh, relax, feel inspired, and enjoy your instrument again?

When I’m busking, I usually leave my mandolin case open for tips. The problem is that whenever it gets windy, the paper money starts flying out.

I’m looking for an alternative that is easy to make or carry, but also has a bit of personality—something more interesting than a regular plastic box.

What do you use as a tip box when you perform on the street? Have you found any practical ways to keep the money from blowing away?

Photos would be greatly appreciated!

I’m curious about how experienced DJs approach genres they don’t normally play.

A DJ might usually play house, drum and bass, techno, lounge, or Brazilian funk, but venues and communities can sometimes ask for something completely different.

How would you prepare? How would find that awesome tracks from a genre that is unfamiliar to you?

Would you first study the history, key artists, labels, classics, subgenres, and current scene? How much listening and digging would you do before feeling confident enough to perform?

More generally, how long does it take to become a good enough digger in a new genre to build a set that feels authentic and well-informed, rather than just putting together a playlist of popular tracks?

I’d love to hear how working DJs approach this.

I’m curious about how experienced DJs approach genres they don’t normally play.

A DJ might usually play house, drum and bass, techno, lounge, or Brazilian funk, but venues and communities can sometimes ask for something completely different. For example, what happens when a house DJ is suddenly asked to play a soundsystem-style set?

How would you prepare?

Would you first study the history, key artists, labels, classics, subgenres, and current scene? How much listening and digging would you do before feeling confident enough to perform?

More generally, how long does it take to become a good enough digger in a new genre to build a set that feels authentic and well-informed, rather than just putting together a playlist of popular tracks?

I’d love to hear how working DJs approach this.

Have people mistaken it for a ukulele, called it a tiny guitar, or asked why you don’t play a “normal-sized” instrument? 😄

I’d love to hear the funniest, weirdest, or most memorable reactions you’ve received while carrying or playing your mandolin.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been thinking lately about how certain instruments carry not only sound, but also memories, places, people, and whole periods of our lives.

For me, the mandolin has a very special kind of warmth. Sometimes it feels joyful and bright; sometimes nostalgic, intimate, or even a little mysterious. It can appear in family stories, old recordings, street performances, festivals, quiet practice rooms, or unexpected encounters with strangers.

So I’d love to ask:

What’s your most unforgettable mandolin memory?

It could be:

A concert or performance you’ll never forget

A family member who played mandolin

The first time you heard the instrument

A song that changed the way you felt about it

A moment from learning or teaching mandolin

A mandolin you inherited, found, bought, lost, or still treasure

A funny, emotional, or completely unexpected story involving the instrument

I’m especially curious about the personal side of mandolin culture: the memories, traditions, and little stories that don’t always make it into books or recordings.

Would love to hear your stories.