I think I need professional help....

[Keith Erickson]

Hi there Guys, Gals and Submarine Race Boat Fans,

I feel like I'm pursuing Big Foot.

Just when I think that I have the chop with the 1.5 mm pick, it seems that all of a sudden it's not working quite right.

Please steer me straight.... What can I do to make it right?

Thank you http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Jasper]

Since we ain't there, what seems to change? When it's right, what stands out and when it seems to go wrong, what stands out? Also, consider that some days your ear will be more sensitive and things just sound different to you depending on your mood, etc.

[steve in tampa]

Does it sound good until you start listening too close? You might be distracting yourself getting out of your groove. I see golfers that do that all the time.

[John Flynn]

Slow the music down in practice. You are probably trying to go faster than you are ready to go. Get in the groove slowly, then speed up bit by bit. At some point, you will have it at any speed. Just don't be in too much of a hurry.

[Keith Erickson]

Well Folks,

It's kind of all of the above. I know that I can hit the chop ( kind-a-sort-a ) when I play certain chords with no open strings.

I know that some of the chords that I play do have open strings and I think that is part of my problem. ( i.e. D-Chord or F# minor )

I do like playing chords with open strings with certain songs, but there are some that I would love to just keep the rhythem with the chop.

Does this make sense?

Thanks,

[Eric F.]

Stop trying to chop open chords and your problem will be solved. You just need to learn more closed chords, I think.

[Ray Neuman]

Being a carry over guitarist (fingerpicking style) I have a "bad" habit of using my right wrist as a dampener. I have found I can produce a believable chop that way, and can even control it so I can get some ring, and the precussion desired. I do this with some Michael Hedges type guitar stuff and it works on the mandolin as well.

(caution, scary stuff ahead) I even tap harmonics on the mandolin. (can you just hear poor Bill Monroe rolling?)

the out of the circle professir

[Ken Sager]

You can also dampen open strings with your left hand fingers after hitting the chord. Yes, typically a chop chord has no open strings, but there are many ways to make a mandolin go pop. I've grown very fond of chop with a certain amount of flop (fwop?) to it. This requires some precision timing between hands where pressure is applied and released with the left hand, as the right hand is striking strings and quickly (but lightly) damping them with the thumb pad. It's a ballet of the two hands with the ear and belly telling the head when you've got it right.

How's that for scary stuff?