HOs and POs

[Bob Stolkin]

Question for you 'grassers out there: I've taken up the mando after many years of playing bluegrass guitar. The good modern guitar players make prodigious use of hammers and pulls to get a good fluid sound (see Rice, Sutton, Stafford, Smith, Grier, etc.), and I incorporate them often in my guitar playing.

I've been taking mando lessons from a devoted Monroe-style teacher, who discourages using them. So, I'm working hard to leave my guitar approach and pick each note. Any perspective on this from others playing bluegrass mando would be appreciated.

[250sc]

Listen to Sam Bush. He uses them.

On the other hand do what your teacher suggests just to see where it leads you. You are paying for his/her perspective and you can sneak in a HOPO when their not looking if you feel the need. (Picking every note does tend to create a drive so I know what their talking about.)