Hi Corey! I wish I had known this stuff sooner too! It’s so hard to find info like this. Let me know how it goes after you try it! Feel free to reach out here if you have any questions! If you end up needing a hand, we could always do a private lesson online as well: www.playnately.com
Thank you so much!! Had a eureka moment listening to you. Pick better not louder. I've been working on the optimum delivery of the pick to the string for about a year now and today your video was a key piece in the picking jigsaw puzzle that now enables me to produce great resonance combined with great tone when previously it was a choice between volume or tone.
Wonderful! I’m so happy you had a eureka moment watching this video! It’s one of the most important lessons I have to share with students. Little things like that aren’t easy to find, so I try to make it accessible. Let me know how it goes after you’ve tried it!
I keep finding useful videos I haven't seen. My mandolin learning is very sporadic because I focus on fiddle. But this will get me learning proper technique before I can learn bad technique. Thanks! Sheryl
Nice slab! I love mine--best picks on the market. I have a few and the 1.4 tri is def my favorite. Such an amazing boost to my mandolin tone. This video helps me make the most of it!
Re: “the scooping motion.” I have students visualize a figure 8 that has been “bent” at the lobes, creating an arch (what you describe as a scoop). Imagine a continuous motion, making the turn at the ends of the figure 8, conserving your momentum as opposed to a mechanical stop/start as pick direction changes. It takes less effort and facilitates playing with a bouncy swing as opposed to rat tat tat rhythm.
Love your thought-out approach Robert! Btw, have you checked out Troy Grady's "Cracking the Code" site? It's a fantastic resource. I'm planning to switch out some of my terminology to match his. Some of the common terms used by mandolin players aren't clear and easy to remember. - Nate
Another way to think of conserving momentum. To play louder, you are trying to exert force to the string. Force = Mass X Acceleration. When you dig in, your adding weight, or mass. By conserving momentum you require less effort to accelerate into the string. Basic algebra, f = ma. > a requires < m to get the same f. Start by doing exadurated figure 8s while strumming chords, then gradually shrink the motion to where you play over 3 string pairs, then 2, then one.
@@robtsologtr You're definitely the first to respond to a comment in algebra on any of my socials, haha! That's a very interesting explanation, and I'll take your word for it on the algebra part! Thanks for sharing you thoughts on this, Robert! - Nate
@@PlayNately Right, enjoying it and play few simple German Traditional songs and try to become better and better gradually and listen to the advises in UA-cam. Try my best to understand and realize it. Greetings from Germany near Airport Frankfurt.
Hi Sir, I like your style of explanation and great information!! great!100-100 , i have a few questions you can possibly give your opinion. (1) i have a LM-520-VS E loar f style mando that i purchased 3 years ago from my local independent music store. i did the reviews check and feel this one fit my price range as a beginner, i have been using GHS LS250 Strings on this mando with, i feel ok success, compared to the originals. i purchased another 2 sets a few days ago and realized i purchased/or was mistakenly given GHS A250 (LIGHT), i noticed that those strings are 10-15-24-36 sizes as the LS 250 was 11,16,26,40,, i am wondering what is the difference and advantages/disadvantages,? what are you thoughts? should i use them on my mando, also what do you think of the tone cage you has installed on your Pava mando ty Sir
🙏 😊 Happy you liked the video! Thanks for reaching out with questions! Here's the breakdown on the strings: - The LS250 strings with have a bolder/louder tone, due to the heavier gauges. They are a silk and steel set, and the silk and steel sound is on the round and slightly muted side. The combo of those makes for a really nice sounding string. - The A250 with be much easier to play, due to the light gauges, but the volume will suffer and the tone will be less fat. They are phosphor bronze, which makes a bold tone. They will not feel as slick as the silk and steel. A good alternative to try out if you like these is the A270. It's a great set. I've been using the Tone-Gard for over 20 years, and to me it's like a part of the mandolin. The difference in resonance is HUGE. I also like how it adds a little weight to the body, which balances out the weight of the mandolin and makes it easier to hold. Plus, in a pinch you could use it as a grill 😂 - Nate
@@PlayNately . ty Sir for your great indepth knowledge. i will try the A270 and see how it goes and also the tone guard is in the future bucket list ty very much!! keep up the great vids!!
Hi Timothy! I use the same technique for tremolo. It makes a nice tone, and it doesn’t require as much effort as other things I’ve tried. And, of course, it makes more volume when I want it. Thanks for watching, Timothy! - Nate
@@TimothySweeney haha, counterintuitive, I know! I used to do exactly the opposite, but I found I could play faster and with better tone this way, both with normal picking and tremolo. Sometimes I use narrow strokes to make a quieter and less robust tremolo though. - Nate
That's great to hear! My technique is heavily influenced by Jake Workman, and he's a fantastic guitar player. I think his guitar and mandolin technique are pretty similar. - Nate
Love that -pick 2 of 3 --hahahaha it’s like Schrödinger’s equation which Heisenberg took to form the ‘uncertainty principle’ hahahaha -where you can only pick ONE of 2 --I guess I wanna pick in tune and faster -I’ll give up loud to you pros 🎶
Excellent advice. An ACCORDION player...ugh...has arrived amongst us. Its a NIGHTMARE. This is great advice. No more tears...especially when we...remove..him
I wish I found this video sooner, completely transformed my playing for the better. Thank you!!
Hi Corey! I wish I had known this stuff sooner too! It’s so hard to find info like this. Let me know how it goes after you try it!
Feel free to reach out here if you have any questions! If you end up needing a hand, we could always do a private lesson online as well: www.playnately.com
This is the best explanation of mandolin picking techniques I've ever heard
Wow, thanks John!
SUCH GOOD ADVICEEEEE PLS KEEP EM COMING
Awesome
So glad you found it helpful!
Thank you so much!! Had a eureka moment listening to you. Pick better not louder. I've been working on the optimum delivery of the pick to the string for about a year now and today your video was a key piece in the picking jigsaw puzzle that now enables me to produce great resonance combined with great tone when previously it was a choice between volume or tone.
Wonderful! I’m so happy you had a eureka moment watching this video! It’s one of the most important lessons I have to share with students. Little things like that aren’t easy to find, so I try to make it accessible. Let me know how it goes after you’ve tried it!
Great vid. Super helpful!
So glad to hear it! This is something I wish I had known when I first started out.
I keep finding useful videos I haven't seen. My mandolin learning is very sporadic because I focus on fiddle. But this will get me learning proper technique before I can learn bad technique. Thanks! Sheryl
It's worth the time to master this early. Glad you're making some time to fit it in around your fiddle practice, Sheryl! - Nate
I need this! Awesome video
Nice slab! I love mine--best picks on the market. I have a few and the 1.4 tri is def my favorite. Such an amazing boost to my mandolin tone. This video helps me make the most of it!
The slabs really rock! I’ve been using the tri and the tweener 3 round. Both are fantastic. I want to try Frank’s signature pick too. - Nate
Certified dank. Straight to the point. +1 sub.
Wow! This comment really made my day! Thanks for taking the time to tell me you enjoyed it. Certified dank is exactly what I was going for! - Nate
Re: “the scooping motion.” I have students visualize a figure 8 that has been “bent” at the lobes, creating an arch (what you describe as a scoop). Imagine a continuous motion, making the turn at the ends of the figure 8, conserving your momentum as opposed to a mechanical stop/start as pick direction changes. It takes less effort and facilitates playing with a bouncy swing as opposed to rat tat tat rhythm.
Love your thought-out approach Robert! Btw, have you checked out Troy Grady's "Cracking the Code" site? It's a fantastic resource. I'm planning to switch out some of my terminology to match his. Some of the common terms used by mandolin players aren't clear and easy to remember. - Nate
Another way to think of conserving momentum. To play louder, you are trying to exert force to the string. Force = Mass X Acceleration. When you dig in, your adding weight, or mass. By conserving momentum you require less effort to accelerate into the string. Basic algebra, f = ma. > a requires < m to get the same f. Start by doing exadurated figure 8s while strumming chords, then gradually shrink the motion to where you play over 3 string pairs, then 2, then one.
@@robtsologtr You're definitely the first to respond to a comment in algebra on any of my socials, haha! That's a very interesting explanation, and I'll take your word for it on the algebra part! Thanks for sharing you thoughts on this, Robert! - Nate
Thanks! I play different instruments and started with Mandoline 2 weeks ago. Love if it sounds as good as possible!
I'm so glad you found the mandolin! It's fun and rewarding. I think you will enjoy the journey. Keep me posted on how it goes! - Nate
@@PlayNately Right, enjoying it and play few simple German Traditional songs and try to become better and better gradually and listen to the advises in UA-cam. Try my best to understand and realize it. Greetings from Germany near Airport Frankfurt.
Hi Sir, I like your style of explanation and great information!! great!100-100 , i have a few questions you can possibly give your opinion. (1) i have a LM-520-VS E loar f style mando that i purchased 3 years ago from my local independent music store. i did the reviews check and feel this one fit my price range as a beginner, i have been using GHS LS250 Strings on this mando with, i feel ok success, compared to the originals. i purchased another 2 sets a few days ago and realized i purchased/or was mistakenly given GHS A250 (LIGHT), i noticed that those strings are 10-15-24-36 sizes as the LS 250 was 11,16,26,40,, i am wondering what is the difference and advantages/disadvantages,? what are you thoughts? should i use them on my mando, also what do you think of the tone cage you has installed on your Pava mando ty Sir
🙏 😊 Happy you liked the video! Thanks for reaching out with questions! Here's the breakdown on the strings:
- The LS250 strings with have a bolder/louder tone, due to the heavier gauges. They are a silk and steel set, and the silk and steel sound is on the round and slightly muted side. The combo of those makes for a really nice sounding string.
- The A250 with be much easier to play, due to the light gauges, but the volume will suffer and the tone will be less fat. They are phosphor bronze, which makes a bold tone. They will not feel as slick as the silk and steel. A good alternative to try out if you like these is the A270. It's a great set.
I've been using the Tone-Gard for over 20 years, and to me it's like a part of the mandolin. The difference in resonance is HUGE. I also like how it adds a little weight to the body, which balances out the weight of the mandolin and makes it easier to hold. Plus, in a pinch you could use it as a grill 😂 - Nate
@@PlayNately . ty Sir for your great indepth knowledge. i will try the A270 and see how it goes and also the tone guard is in the future bucket list ty very much!! keep up the great vids!!
how does that apply to tremolo?
Hi Timothy! I use the same technique for tremolo. It makes a nice tone, and it doesn’t require as much effort as other things I’ve tried. And, of course, it makes more volume when I want it. Thanks for watching, Timothy! - Nate
@@PlayNately just seems when playing tremolo wide pick would slow it down, short clicks with the pick seems more like it.
@@TimothySweeney haha, counterintuitive, I know! I used to do exactly the opposite, but I found I could play faster and with better tone this way, both with normal picking and tremolo. Sometimes I use narrow strokes to make a quieter and less robust tremolo though. - Nate
This technique can also be applied to guitar as well. Enjoyed the vid.
That's great to hear! My technique is heavily influenced by Jake Workman, and he's a fantastic guitar player. I think his guitar and mandolin technique are pretty similar. - Nate
Love that -pick 2 of 3 --hahahaha it’s like Schrödinger’s equation which Heisenberg took to form the ‘uncertainty principle’ hahahaha -where you can only pick ONE of 2 --I guess I wanna pick in tune and faster -I’ll give up loud to you pros 🎶
Ha!
Excellent advice. An ACCORDION player...ugh...has arrived amongst us. Its a NIGHTMARE. This is great advice. No more tears...especially when we...remove..him
Maybe bring an electric guitar or some bagpipes. Win with volume.
matur suksma
You’re welcome!
Chris Thile is a genius talent. The rest of us are guessing...
Thile sure is an amazing player! - Nate