Nasty Right Hand Noise

[bnmartin54]

I recently discovered, to my dismay while playing though an amp, that my right hand - which usually rests on the strings just behind the bridge makes an awful lot unwanted noise. The noise, of course, is the slight side-to-side motion my hand makes rubbing against the strings. I've been playing long enough now (and am old enough) that this bad habit is hard to break. As it is, without resting my right hand behind the bridge, I feel I have no control picking the strings. Yes, certainly a teacher would help. I'm now learning (albeit awkwardly) to play my lines without the wrist contacting the strings. In the meantime, do many of you more experienced players rest the pinky on the mando - much like flatpick guitar players often do? Any suggestions or recommended exercises on gaining right hand control? Thanks so much.
Bob

[Jim Broyles]

Well, I do not play through an amp, so maybe this doesn't address the issue, but I do rest behind the bridge on the strings. Do you have anything dampening the strings between the tailpiece and the bridge? If not,I'd try something threaded through the strings there to eliminate unwanted noise from sympathetic vibrations. I'd place a piece of leather up close to the bridge and see if that does the trick. Many pros suggest lightly resting just behind the bridge, so you aren't alone. They don't recommend planting your pinky like a banjo player, or, as you mention, some flatpickers.

[MikeEdgerton]

I used to plant my hand on the strings in that same place. I finally went for a Siren Stringworks Arm rest to move me out away from that spot. The Siren is higher than the normal arm rest. If I could have simply adjusted my playing it probably would have been better but I'm set in my ways.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=27899&d=0

[bnmartin54]

I'm using a newly installed K&K soundboard transducer - which sounds really good. But it picks up everything - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've also putz'd with a preamp to mute some of the low frequencies but that really didn't help much. The sound that comes through the amp when I rub my hand across the strings is much like a clip-on mic that rubs up against the wearer's shirt. As such, this isn't an issue related to sympathetic vibrations. However, I did put some grommets between the strings for good measure and because they look spiffy. Thanks for the suggestion of the arm rest, Mike. I'll give it some thought. In the meantime, slowly I go - back and forth; up and down with the pick.
Bob

[mandroid]

Soundboard pickups are locally sensitive, they will, of course , amplify what they are attached to,

more than, like, the back and the air pressure waves ,

finger-rest will , with a light touch from the pinky and the the armrest , get your arm off the bridge,

And, .. try playing into a microphone to reduce the noises that the pickup highlights so well.

and see if you like the sound better.

:popcorn:

[woodwizard]

I lightly rest my hand on the strings some behind the bridge and use a pick up at times but the Schertler DynM pic-up has never been a problem like that. Guess because it funtions like a mic and works by picking up the vibrations of the wood.

[Jim Broyles]

Ahh. Soundboard transducer. I have a K&K Mandolin twin. Sounds good, but it does turn my mandolin into a noise amplifier. I use a microphone now when I want to plug in.

[Mike Bromley]

My vote is with the Schertler. And Grommets. Once dialed in a Schertler is a very accurate condenser mike.

[56 Gibson Hoss]

I also practice with a sensitive condenser mic and have learned how noisy and sloppy I can be. The mic and a recorder can fix alot. Be sure to use headphones and you can hear your own noise. I also use this method when choosing picks, and for learning to play a faster tune....cleanly!