chord versus lead

[mandolinbill]

Hello everyone. I've relativly recently purchased a Kentucky KM630S. Nice mandolin! However, I've noticed that when I play chords, its louder than when I play lead. I would think that it should be the other way around. Does anyone else experience this with their instrument? What I've been trying to do is hold the pick with my thumb and index and stum with my middle and sometimes ring finger. Anyone else do this? I dont have a teacher to ask these questions to because I'm self taught. It will work itself out eventually I just wanted to ask and get other opinions. Thanks http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandolinbill]

oops must have been a dumb question http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[John Bertotti]

I don't think it is a dumb question and I am no expert but wonder if the chords aren't louder because the top is more active with more strings driving it. With just one note struck it has to drive the top by itself. With all strings working together the force to drive the top is shared amongst them. Up to four times the energy driving the top instead. John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Eight strings maybe I should have said(typed) up to eight times the energy. OOps! John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

This is something i will have to think about. Ill get back to you later! HA HA HA

[Yellowmandolin]

Could it be that you are hitting 8 strings hard as opposed to only one or two?

[Willie]

mandobill...I have always found that when I chop the chords it is louder than when I play lead, thats why most of the time when you break a string it is when you are picking lead notes, to make them sound louder...I think John hit the nail on the head when he said the top vibrates more when playing a chord...Have fun and try other mandolins and see if the same thing happens with them...`til later....Willie