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 and Sophistication in the A-section.
• Harmonic Sophistication: A breakdown of the Dm7(b5) to G7 (ii-V-I) progression and how it adds a jazz flavor to the traditional melody.
• Position & Timbre: Why fretboard geography matters. Comparing the "warm, rounded" tones of the lower frets to the "bright, bell-like" quality of the higher fret voicings.

Resources Mentioned:

• Magnus Zetterlund’s Lead Sheet: The original PDF arrangement of When You Wish Upon a Star.
• AI Technical Overview: A digital analysis of the harmonic complexity within the manuscript.

>> Download free mandolin chord charts at my website:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/wish-upon-a-star

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

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 community about practice routines, gear choices, and how to stay motivated on your musical journey.

Whether you're a beginner finding your way or an experienced player refining your technique, this episode offers honest insights into the practice process and what it takes to keep growing as a musician.

Topics Covered:

Pick Slanting & Single Escape Technique

• Magnus shares his breakthrough moment with pick slanting after 30 years of playing
• Understanding supination vs. pronation and rest strokes vs. escape strokes
• Why this isn't just about speed—it's about efficient, powerful single-note picking
• Practical demonstrations of two-note and four-note per string patterns
• How to build vocabulary from mechanical exercises

Practice Priorities

• Hayes on the importance of tracking your practice (and his 20-month tracking gap)
• Magnus's focus on right-hand technique and melodic adjustments
• Community members share their goals: learning scales, memorizing the fretboard, and diving into Nordic folk tunes

Gear Talk: Cases & Gig Bags

• Finding the right fit for different instruments and situations
• Hard cases vs. soft cases: when to use each
• Magnus's search for the perfect electric octave mandolin case (spoiler: Strandberg guitar bags might be the answer)
• Community recommendations including Colorado Case Company, Blue Heron, TKL, and Northfield cases

Looking Ahead to 2026

• Magnus's new Octave Mandolin Course now available
• Plans for a Nordic Folk Guitar course coming in spring 2026
• Hayes's upcoming European tour in May (details TBA)
• New Guitar Club content and guided courses on the horizon

Community Insights

• How joining Mandolin Secrets Academy increases practice frequency and commitment
• The power of putting "skin in the game" for your musical development

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Mandolin Secrets Academy (mandolinsecrets.com)
• Previous podcast episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast
• Hayes's tour with Beppe Gambetta
• Magnus's collaboration with Johan Eriksson Rapp

Connect With Us: Watch the video version of this episode exclusively inside Mandolin Secrets Academy, or find all previous episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Beppe Gambetta website:

https://beppegambetta.com/

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 Bulas two-point mandolin.

Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show.

Visit our website for more episodes:

https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

Bulas Instruments

https://bulas.pl/en-us

Northield Mandolins

https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/