I played mandolin in a Gospel Bluegrass ensemble at our church. After 2 years of playing mandolin, I gave it up. It was too difficult for me to be learning the songs, singing harmony and trying to pick a break all at the same time. I just wasn't having any fun. I sold the mandolins, bought a "gathering" of ukuleles and now I'm having a blast. The folks in the ensemble were pretty skeptical the first time I showed up with a uke instead of a mandolin. After the first couple songs, they changed their minds. In this group, I simply play a uke tuned high g, chop it like a mandolin and when I play breaks, I don't worry about trying to play them like I was playing a mando. I just play something that fits. They all agree it works great.