steffey and sizemore ( melodic style)

[nate w]

After watching the sample Acutab videos of both Adam Steffey and Herschel Sizemore, I noticed that both of them are playing in a very relaxed open handed way, now having said that and that both are very melodic players, my question is how are they getting that melodic tone? I have noticed the consistency in note volume has alot to do with the technique and not over playing/or holding a note for too long.

I cant seem to grasp what they are doing to get such a clean melodic sound,
I understand the concepts of DUDUDU vs DUDD and such after watching Thiles technique dvd, but what else should a person work on to develop such a style of playing?

[AlanN]

Keep your fingers down.
Use a hard pick.
Don't pick too hard.
Play a lot of notes.
:mandosmiley: :mandosmiley: :mandosmiley:

[JeffD]

sound,?


Those guys are just amazing. I have loved them for awhile, now I know why.

[pglasse]

I'll offer the real solution while sidestepping the question....

Learn some of the solos you most admire. If you do this using tab or written notation that's fine (though the slower, more painful, process of figuring it out by ear is even better). Play along with the recording. Also record yourself playing these solos up to tempo. Do you sound like Adam or Herschel? What can you alter in your own playing that gets you closer to their sound?

It's no fair blaming it all on the particular instruments these guys play. Trust me, these guys sound like themselves no matter what they pick.

Are you fretting the notes out of the same left hand position? Are you picking as hard or soft as they are? Do they let certain notes ring? How long do they hold their fingers down...for every note? Try altering where you pick on the strings -- closer or farther from the bridge? Pick angle? You get the idea.

The point is that by working your way through these questions you improve not only your ear but your control over the whole instrument, which will serve you well in everything else you do on the mandolin.

Oh, I forgot, make sure you decide that doing all of this is fun. If it's only a chore until you find the "right answer" you won't sound like these guys.

Stepping off of soapbox now...

All the best,

Paul Glasse
Austin, Texas