Chop vs chomp

[Tom F]

I noticed that some mandolin-playing-folk play a "Chop" and some play a "Chomp". #The Chop being mostly the pick and string sound; the Chomp being a very short duration of open mandolin mixed with sound of pick, string. Don't know how else to explain it.

Is that what I am hearing? If so, Why... How... Who #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?

Thanks !!

[arbarnhart]

And when I play, I hear some people ask "Is that a chimp?" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[glauber]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/uploads/stompcd.jpg

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[gnelson651]

And when I play, I hear some people ask "Is that a chimp?" #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I think they are referring to the banjo player, who usually chomps when a fellow mandolin chum leads unless he's a chump. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Flowerpot]

You'll find that some people play the chop with more percussive sound, just pick and strings, and others with more tone, getting the chordal bass notes ringing for a split second. Some of the more modern players (Steffey for instance) use a very percussive chop. It's a bit more traditional to use a meatier chop sound (think Monroe or Herschel Sizemore). The difference in execution (I'm simplifying things a little bit) is how hard you fret the left hand, and the duration of the left hand as it holds the strings down.

[AlanN]

Duffey was a good one to get the best of both worlds. Each way has merit, depending on the groove/situation.

[lightnbrassy]

Just discovering closed chords ... and I cannot believe how naturally aggressive you become when using them. Sometimes it DOES seem like playing percussion.

[earthsave]

Never heard of chompin... heard of vampin and chunkin tho

[Soupy1957]

Not being anywheres near a "pro" yet on the Mando, BUT having "chopped" on the guitar for fourty years, I can tell you that most of the folks who I've played with, chop like me, or visa-versa.

We press the string just long enough to get the chord to sound off itself, and then release to avoid sustain. The pick is hitting the strings at the moment of depression, (not to be mistaken for emotional trauma...lol) thus getting the sound of the chord, but the lift of the fingers on the left hand right after the strike, ends up muting the sound.

I've noted that SOME of the folks I've met recently (the last six months or so) who play the Mando, don't actually produce anything more than "chomp" (no chord identification at all).

Personally, I like to have the chop sound with the sound of the chord.

-Soupy1957

[Soupy1957]

P.S. And I did say "SOME" (so please don't jump all over me).

[Tom F]

That is kind of what I am getting at, where phenetically, the chop has little or no chordal ringing, and the chomp can have a fair amount; the "m" being the ringing of the strings. I hear pros doing both.

Was wondering if each technique serves a purpose, such as the Chop (just strings and pick) for faster BG for example, and chomp (more actual sound from the mando body) for slower, more expressive situations requiring sustain.

Sigh, just wondering you know.

[MandoSquirrel]

That is kind of what I am getting at, where phenetically, the chop has little or no chordal ringing, and the chomp can have a fair amount; the "m" being the ringing of the strings. I hear pros doing both.

Was wondering if each technique serves a purpose, such as the Chop (just strings and pick) for faster BG for example, and chomp (more actual sound from the mando body) for slower, more expressive situations requiring sustain.

Sigh, just wondering you know.
Yes.

[dochardee]

Play what you think fits and supports the song. Don't worry what the bluegrass police think.

[Ken Sager]

There are many ways to vary rhythmic playing on mandolin, and one can't limit explanations to a single hand. There are ways to chomp open chords by striking and muting entirely with the right hand. Sam Bush mutes open chords with his little finger on the left hand. Closed chords can be muted with either or both hands. It has as much to do with the speed and depth of picking with the right hand as it does with duration of holding down strings with left, combined with strength of the hit and muting with palm, thumb, sleeve, chin, whatever. Allowing the back to fully vibrate (holding away from body or using a tone-gard) is another factor in getting a good deep chomp (whomp) out of a mandolin, too.

Joy to all,
Ken

[Michael H Geimer]

I've been playing a lot of mountain dulcimer lately, while my fiance is learning it from scratch. The other day she asked me about a phrase.

"What's that extra note you've put in there?"

Well, there wasn't any extra note. It was a ghost note created by stricking the strings with the pick, while muting strings. Done to add a syncopation to the phrase and provide more motion to the line.

I don't think there is one right, perfect way to sound a note or chord. I think it's important to use many different tone colors all the time.