Autistic Mandolinist
@autisticmandolinist.com
Music learning and performance, with an emphasis on acoustic music and the rocky, sausage-making road from zero to on stage.
https://autisticmandolinist.com
https://youtube.com/@theautisticmandolinist?si=Tbrq8ctGspmd7fmt
https://autisticmandolinist.com
https://youtube.com/@theautisticmandolinist?si=Tbrq8ctGspmd7fmt
Pinned
I’m James, though depending on where you find me I go more often by jflatnote or (as here) the Autistic Mandolinist.
I am autistic and nonbinary, and respond most readily to they/them pronouns.
The video here is a description of why I, as a growing mandolin player, post things I’m not good at.
I am autistic and nonbinary, and respond most readily to they/them pronouns.
The video here is a description of why I, as a growing mandolin player, post things I’m not good at.
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
If you're in Portland metro looking for free food tomorrow 'cause of SNAP (or for any other reason), here's a list put together by @bridgetownbites.bsky.social with details and addresses. bridgetownbites.com/2025/10/29/s...
SNAP Meals: Where To Eat, No Questions Asked, During the Suspension of SNAP - Bridgetown Bites
A list of SNAP Meals available at a number of restaurants, cafes, and food trucks in the Portland Metro area while SNAP is unfunded.
bridgetownbites.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:22 AM
If you're in Portland metro looking for free food tomorrow 'cause of SNAP (or for any other reason), here's a list put together by @bridgetownbites.bsky.social with details and addresses. bridgetownbites.com/2025/10/29/s...
my mama died this morning, and my heart is heavy with feelings
October 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
my mama died this morning, and my heart is heavy with feelings
Went to see Sam Bush last night with my collaborator and the Benny, the guitarist from my band.
October 21, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Went to see Sam Bush last night with my collaborator and the Benny, the guitarist from my band.
Hours I’ve put into the mandolin this year (starting 1/25/25). Hour per dot. Colors correspond with categories such as practice, rehearsal, playing with others, listening, etc). Size is rough sense of the impact of each hour.
#bluegrass #mandolin #howipractice #howtopractice #progresschart
#bluegrass #mandolin #howipractice #howtopractice #progresschart
October 14, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Hours I’ve put into the mandolin this year (starting 1/25/25). Hour per dot. Colors correspond with categories such as practice, rehearsal, playing with others, listening, etc). Size is rough sense of the impact of each hour.
#bluegrass #mandolin #howipractice #howtopractice #progresschart
#bluegrass #mandolin #howipractice #howtopractice #progresschart
Having been one (and my primary special interest being learning), I have to say that you know things are REALLY bad when academics won’t go to the place they’re studying because it’s too dangerous.
When Scholars and Historians won't even visit your country anymore because its as bad as Russia or China...You know you're effed.
www.salon.com/2025/10/09/t...
www.salon.com/2025/10/09/t...
"Too risky": Scholars who study America say they won't visit
At a recent panel in Vienna, academics who study America said the country has become similar to Russia and China.
www.salon.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Having been one (and my primary special interest being learning), I have to say that you know things are REALLY bad when academics won’t go to the place they’re studying because it’s too dangerous.
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
Reporting live from Chicago, there’s no “hellscape” I’d rather be in.
October 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Reporting live from Chicago, there’s no “hellscape” I’d rather be in.
Outtake from the last. I was really digging this take and then my phone ran out of power (hence the er er er er electronic stutter and sudden stop at the end). #fiddletune #whiskeybeforebrealfast #bluegrass #mandolin #autisticmusician
October 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Outtake from the last. I was really digging this take and then my phone ran out of power (hence the er er er er electronic stutter and sudden stop at the end). #fiddletune #whiskeybeforebrealfast #bluegrass #mandolin #autisticmusician
Canadian fiddle tune called “Whiskey Before Breakfast.” It was one of the first tunes I learned, so it acts as something of a benchmark for how my playing evolves. #fiddletunes #mandolin #autistiusician
October 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Canadian fiddle tune called “Whiskey Before Breakfast.” It was one of the first tunes I learned, so it acts as something of a benchmark for how my playing evolves. #fiddletunes #mandolin #autistiusician
seen just now in a conversation on banjo hangout. mandolins tend to be loud? said by a BANJO player? #banjosareloud #mandolinsarequiet #shouldwepracticeourshapesandcolorstoo
October 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
seen just now in a conversation on banjo hangout. mandolins tend to be loud? said by a BANJO player? #banjosareloud #mandolinsarequiet #shouldwepracticeourshapesandcolorstoo
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
In case you don't understand why our increasing rate of measles infection is a public health nightmare, the BBC explains immune amnesia.
Bottom line? GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED!
Bottom line? GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED!
September 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
In case you don't understand why our increasing rate of measles infection is a public health nightmare, the BBC explains immune amnesia.
Bottom line? GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED!
Bottom line? GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED!
“accidentally”
800 detainees are missing after being held in Alligator Alcatraz in July, showing no record of their location in ICE’s database.
Other detainees have been mistakenly deported or sent to detention centers thousands of miles away.
The cruelty is the point.
Other detainees have been mistakenly deported or sent to detention centers thousands of miles away.
The cruelty is the point.
September 24, 2025 at 3:20 AM
“accidentally”
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
When we say to just incorporate your mistakes into the music, we don’t mean when you play a wrong note. You should never play wrong notes. We mean momentary lapses of judgement, ill-considered life decisions, impulsive acts of selfishness and fundamental misunderstandings about how the world works.
September 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
When we say to just incorporate your mistakes into the music, we don’t mean when you play a wrong note. You should never play wrong notes. We mean momentary lapses of judgement, ill-considered life decisions, impulsive acts of selfishness and fundamental misunderstandings about how the world works.
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous.
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
The Political Scene | The New Yorker
The Washington Roundtable is joined by the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Keren Yarhi-Milo, the dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, to discuss...
play.prx.org
September 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians have certainly said things about me that I found offensive, even outrageous.
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
It never crossed my mind to call up the networks and say, "Hey, get rid of this guy."
Because that's not how America works.
play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
Bluegrass Legends with Lester Flatt
Bluegrass Legends with Lester Flatt
YouTube video by World Bluegrass Day
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Bluegrass Legends with Lester Flatt
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
Some 154 million people in the United States get health care through their employer — and for many, their costs are about to go way up.
Health care costs are soaring. Blame insurers, drug companies — and your employer
Some 154 million people in the United States get health care through their employer — and for many, their costs are about to go way up.
n.pr
September 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Some 154 million people in the United States get health care through their employer — and for many, their costs are about to go way up.
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
"Hickerson enjoyed a long career as a folk musician and archivist of folk music at the Library of Congress." Joe Hickerson, ... https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2025/09/joe-hickerson-folk-musician-and-lead-archivist-of-folk-music-at-the-library-of-congress-dies-at-89.html #folkmusic
September 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
"Hickerson enjoyed a long career as a folk musician and archivist of folk music at the Library of Congress." Joe Hickerson, ... https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2025/09/joe-hickerson-folk-musician-and-lead-archivist-of-folk-music-at-the-library-of-congress-dies-at-89.html #folkmusic
this is, objectively, a great album.
when people ask me "what is your ideal autumn album, jay" (they don't actually ask me this) I say "bluegrass album where half the songs are about trains."
Norman Blake - Blake & Rice
Listen to Blake & Rice on your streaming service
tidal.com
September 20, 2025 at 5:31 AM
this is, objectively, a great album.
I am also (trying to) learning the fiddle. It is nominally the same fingerings as the mandolin, but bows are sooooo hard. #fiddle #stannesreel #bluegrass
St Annes Reel (Lower A). Even practicing the TotM on my fretless mandolin. Bowing’s probs all wrong.
YouTube video by The Autistic Mandolinist
youtube.com
September 20, 2025 at 5:31 AM
I am also (trying to) learning the fiddle. It is nominally the same fingerings as the mandolin, but bows are sooooo hard. #fiddle #stannesreel #bluegrass
totes!!
Just leaving thus wristband from a recent bluegrass festival here on bluesky…
September 20, 2025 at 5:21 AM
totes!!
Alternatively, remember what snitches get. Be safe, IBMAs.
"IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING" Chattanooga Police Department preparing for IBMA Bluegrass Awards and Festival with extra safety measures and road closures.
Chattanooga PD taking extra safety precautions for IBMA Bluegrass Awards and Festival
Learn about the safety measures in place for the IBMA Bluegrass Awards and Festival in Chattanooga, including event security, parking information, and safety tips from Sgt. Jeff Miller.
www.local3news.com
September 20, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Alternatively, remember what snitches get. Be safe, IBMAs.
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
#nowplaying #musicsky #bluegrass Foggy Mountain Starship - "Linus and Lucy", played on banjos www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXC...
"Linus and Lucy", played on banjos
YouTube video by Foggy Mountain Spaceship
www.youtube.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
#nowplaying #musicsky #bluegrass Foggy Mountain Starship - "Linus and Lucy", played on banjos www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXC...
Reposted by Autistic Mandolinist
Goodbye Liza Jane
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye, Oh, Goodbye
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye Liza Jane.
Oh, how I love her, ain’t that a shame,
Oh, how I love her, Goodbye Liza Jane
#bluegrass #fiddletune #autisticmandolinist
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye, Oh, Goodbye
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye Liza Jane.
Oh, how I love her, ain’t that a shame,
Oh, how I love her, Goodbye Liza Jane
#bluegrass #fiddletune #autisticmandolinist
September 20, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Goodbye Liza Jane
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye, Oh, Goodbye
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye Liza Jane.
Oh, how I love her, ain’t that a shame,
Oh, how I love her, Goodbye Liza Jane
#bluegrass #fiddletune #autisticmandolinist
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye, Oh, Goodbye
Hawk caught a chicken and he flew upstairs, Goodbye Liza Jane.
Oh, how I love her, ain’t that a shame,
Oh, how I love her, Goodbye Liza Jane
#bluegrass #fiddletune #autisticmandolinist