Make sure you’re sitting in a comfy position while playing your mandolin. Slouching or sitting awkwardly can totally mess up your neck and shoulders, and that ain’t gonna be fun or cheap to fix!
I find it most comfortable to hold the mandolin at about 45 degrees with a strap as shown in the picture below.
I’ve tried lots of different straps, and the one I like the most is the Neotech strap. You can easily find it online or in music shops. What’s good about it is that you can easily adjust it to whatever length you want, so it’s super comfy. Plus, you can take it off your mandolin and just leave the clips on the headstock and tailpiece, which makes it easier to store your mandolin in its case.
Another option is to use a guitar strap and tie it to the headstock of your mandolin with a shoelace or something. Super easy and it’ll keep your mandolin securely in place while play!
When you start playing, your fingers will hurt like crazy. But hey, no pain, no gain! Trust me, over time your fingertips will toughen up and you won’t feel a thing. Keep at it!
I’d suggest practising on your mandolin for a quick 30 minutes before taking a break. It’s way better for you, both physically and mentally!
Scottish Mandolin 