Hello everyone...I've been playing the mandolin and guitar off and on since I was about 12.
I'm 60 now. lol! 
You'd think I'd be an expert by now, but I'm far from that. I can pick out just about
anything I hear with the mandolin quite a bit easier than I can with the guitar. I don't know ALL the
chords on either instrument, but I sure have a lot of fun playing them. I've been learning new chords
and licks for both instruments on the internet, and it's getting me past "the wall" that I seemed to run
into with my playing. I've also joined a local gospel/bluegrass band, and that encourages me to learn
more as well. We have a great time when we get together to play for folks.
Sorry to jump in and just run on and on...just wanted to let you know there's another mandolin player
out here. 