Smooth rhythm

[GRW3]

I mostly play Bluegrass so the chop is my primary rhythm device but sometimes the music wants something a little looser, a little more synchopated. This is particularly true when you have a very strong rhythm guitar and/or a banjo player who will do the banjo chop instead of incessant noodling when not in the lead.

My problem is keeping it flowing. Some sessions it goes great and some sessions it's just a mess. In the latter situation I just can't seem to move smoothly over the strings. The angle is unexpectedly awkward and pick just digs in. When it works my arm just moves effortlessly and when it doesn't it jerks.

Any suggestions on how to work on this? That is other than use a better angle of attack, don't dig the pick in and don't jerk my arm?

[Jim Broyles]

From what you have told us, it seems to me that you just need to play the syncopated rhythm patterns more and practice them until the unexpected awkward angle and/or pick digging doesn't happen. I have been giving informal lessons on guitar for years now and I have come to the conclusion that not everybody can play syncopated rhythm patterns smoothly. They are too stiff, for lack of a better term. But you have said that sometimes it goes well, so I think you just have to do it more, and you'll get better.
One thought - what kind of pick are you using and how tight do you grip it? The biggest problems I encounter when trying to get people to learn how to strum is that they use too flexible a pick or they hold it too tightly. If yours is not fairly stiff, try a heavier one. If you already use a thick pick, loosen your grip a little when you play the rhythmic patterns you're talking about. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Ted Eschliman]

As Jim just said, being aware of tension is critical. You want just enough to control the pick (and maintain rhythmic accuracy) but no more. Generally, if you can get your hands and fingers loose enough, the wrist and elbow will follow in giving up unnecessary tension. (Not guaranteed, but something to look for) Of course, ignore watching Sam Bush videos; he's a brilliant musician, but everything about his posture and locked wrist defies logic and convention.

Also, practicing on your own with a metronome. We think we have good time; machines never lie...

[GRW3]

Oh geez... It's just like I expected... No secret technique, just practice.

I guess it's like tremeloes. When I first picked up the mandolin I could not do them now I have to throttle it back.

For the record I use a synthetic tortise pick with a big body whose tip I have shaped to match the Gibson tear drop.

[Jim Broyles]

A lot of the syncopated rhythmic strumming is facilitated by your non-pick-to-string picking hand technique as well. What I mean is damping or muting with the heel of your picking hand - sometimes referred to as "palm muting." I don't recommend this technique to keep a chop from ringing out. There, I would encourage lifting the fretting hand fingers. You can incorporate that fret-hand-lift type of muting into your rhythmic strumming as well. Get a set of bongos. I'm not kidding. Practice doing rhythmic, syncopated patterns on the bongos and practice using your mandolin like a set of bongos - pick and heel of pick hand, fingers of left hand -to do patterns on the mandolin. Then start to play chord changes under your "mando-bongo" playing. I'm serious.