Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I have taken a few lessons with Mike, and that pick grip, as I understand it, is one of many steps in Mike's extremely comprehensive approach to the mandolin. The difference in volume and tone IS dramatic. If you want to explore it more, you should get together with the man himself, either in person or online. I don't think it will be a big disruption to your playing, but it will be a shift of gears.
Best of luck.
Jeremy
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I was in Mike's workshop in Denver yesterday (great by the way) and he showed us the grip and, Jon, you have described it correctly. I get why he uses it because it really helps with that Monroe tremolo. Still, it's quite foreign feeling for me. I'm going to stick with it for awhile and see how it works.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I too was at the workshop yesterday and it was great.
Last summer at the RockyGrass academy And Leftwich was one of the teachers and he tried to get me to use the same grip now I've got one that is closer to that and it definitely helps with the tone. Its like you hand is on auto-dig in or something. but it feels really foreign at first. I am going to play with it some more.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
All of your replies are encouraging. I practiced with "the grip" yesterday and was pleased with every tune I played. A tremelo is still awkward as is strumming but I'm working on it.
Does anyone use this grip for flat picking a guitar?
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Could someone take a picture? I'm having a hard time visualizing.
Jim
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I've been trying that grip. The adjustment is subtle, but does seem to increase volume. I think it is from the increased looseness with which you can grip the pick, as opposed to it being more locked-up the other way. Jimmy Gaudreau used to use a three-finger grip that made the pick wind up in his fingertips, as opposed to further back, and this seems to be similar, but without that awkward feeling of the third finger.
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Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Those are some good close-up photos. I don't do it that way, I hold the pick closer to the fingertips. Just shows there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Love the Compton grip.
My brother plays Jazz guitar, and this is how he was taught to hold the pick in college.
He told me it was like strumming with your thumb, or a thumbpick and the 1st finger was mostly an anchor to keep the pick steady. When I pick with my old grip it's as though I'm strumming with the back of the fingernail on the 1st finger. Definitely puts the focus on a different set of nerves.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I looked up Mike on Youtube to see if I could see and I figured it as Phil posted, quite a handy man on the mandolin is Mike so I found myself listening rather than watching :)). It is different but I reckon there is more momentum being transfered directly to the pick from the wrist, hence more tone/volume, no extended fingers to absorb a little of the impact. I don't know if I'll be able to incorporate it but I'm going to give it a try.
One problem I've got with mandolin & tenor banjo is my pick is fixed in my hold and whilst I can correct the angle on the fly I'm not as dexterous with the pick as I am on the guitar. When playing the guitar I can quickly change the hold angle etc to suit what I'm trying to do. Hopefully I'll develop my mando/tenor pick hold dexterity with practice.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
when i re-worked my right hand technique a few years ago i stumbled upon this grip by watching of all things gypsy guitar players. this is the classic plectrum grip that was taught in nearly all the early turn of the century plectrum methods (banjo, guitar, mandolin) - and it works. by placing the first knuckle of the thumb over the pick (instead of the pad) you do seem to get more volume and a better tone - just a slight move, but it can make a difference - plus my tremolo was much smoother.
of course there are hundreds of great players with complete opposite approaches that work for them- your right hand is your personality on the instrument - so its actually good that there are variations imo.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I've been a quitar/banjo finger-picker for about 50 years, so didn't have too much flat picking experience to unlearn.
Thanks for the pictures, Phil.
I agree with everyone who says the grip is great.
BTW, the Blue Chip finish really helps here - to satabilize the pick's orientation (I have boney knuckles).
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kudzugypsy
of course there are hundreds of great players with complete opposite approaches that work for them- your right hand is your personality on the instrument - so its actually good that there are variations imo.
As my 15 yr old would say, True Dat.
Wayne Benson comes to mind . . . I'm fortunate to live close enough to take an occasional lesson, and he has (I think) a unique pick grip, not at all like Compton's fairly traditional grip - and it works extraordinarily well for him.
He's obviously put in a mind-boggling amount of time with it, too.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
The photos that Phil posted look like what Mike was teaching us. One thing I noticed while watching Mike's right hand last Saturday is that his pick swivels about 45 degrees when he is doing tremolo. The pick really flops around yet he's got control of the thing. Still seems foriegn to me but keeping at it.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
He must have seen me playing one day and is now using the Papa Gordo grip. Can't keep a good secret for too long, I guess. . .
f-d
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fatt-dad
He must have seen me playing one day and is now using the Papa Gordo grip. Can't keep a good secret for too long, I guess. . .
f-d
Are you responsible for Windows 7, also? ;)
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I keep trying this grip but it feels awkward. I think it works good for single note picking, but awkward for chopping.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kudzugypsy
by placing the first knuckle of the thumb over the pick (instead of the pad) you do seem to get more volume and a better tone - just a slight move, but it can make a difference - plus my tremolo was much smoother.
Yes indeed! Been trying it for a few days and I feel this small difference gives me huge results in speed, tone, and smoothness. :)
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I'm having a hard time with this grip but it sounds so good. The tone and volume improvement, especially on my f-hole mando, is considerable. I'm going to keep at it.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I've been practicing "the grip" on both guitar and mandolin and it's becoming a little more comfortable. I've discovered that the increased volume enables me to lighten up and still maintain reasonable volume. As I said in my original post, it made a big difference playing my Weber but when I tried it on the lower end Kentuckys, in the local music store, I couldn't tell much difference in the tone or volume.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
I don't believe that list is entirely accurate. I sat within 4 feet of Compton in a lesson and his fingers do not touch the top as stated in the list.
I went and looked at some vids and sometimes a finger may touch the finger rest.
When he hits the double time part, it looks like he may get his pinkie in the rest.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Tempo was good, love Frank's ideas here. And the harmonized chorus at the end.
Re: Mike Compton's pick grip
Saw Chris Thile last night from the front row, about 20' away, and from that vantage point would describe his grip as the same or very similar to Compton's. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=58329
Seemed to work out pretty well for him...