Picking techniques for extended fingerboard

[Damnation Gulch]

I don’t know that there’s a lot anyone can tell me to help, but I’ve run into a bit of a snag when it comes to speed picking with my new mando. I seem to choke up towards the fretboard when doing so and I’m getting a ticking effect from hitting the end of the extension while I try to pick. I never had this problem before with my old A (lack of extension) and since I anchor my hand on the bridge (is this the problem?) I’m not sure what to do.

[John Flynn]

Many people believe that one should not "dig" the pick so deeply that the pick point would ever touch the fret board. Mike Compton and others teach that the pick should pivot in a lose grip and that the pick should "brush" the strings. Also, many players and teachers also feel that anchoring the hand on the bridge is not optimal. It can kill tone and limit the movement of the hand. But if you are happy with your technique as it is and want to solve the finger board extension problem, the way some people do it is to have a luthier "scoop" the fingerboard extention. This involves removing the frets on the extension and removing some of the wood to provide more room.

[Damnation Gulch]

I saw a David Grisman video up close today and I clearly see what you mean by sweeping the strings. Hope I can learn to do so without dropping the pick http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Thanks, that was a very informative reply *tips bandana*