Newbie question

[Fifthtry]

Hi, new to the board and new to mandolin. #I'm used to flatpicking guitar and find that when I pick the mandolin, I'm usually getting one of the two double strings. #I'm sure there's some knowledge that will help me attack the mandolin differently than a guitar in order to make both double strings ring. #Any wisdom appreciated, thanks.

John

[Bertram Henze]

The pick should make a sweep across the pair of strings, the motion coming from the wrist, not the fingers. This is a smaller version of the sweep you do when strumming chords, the motion there coming from the elbow.
However, it's no good making blind recommendations. Try to get some instructional DVD or, even better, a teacher; should get you on the right track much quicker.

Bertram

[Jim Broyles]

When I play, the only way I can only play only one of the pair of strings is to pick so softly that the the pick stops before it hits the second string. Either that or by placing the pick kind of under the string and picking upward so that the pick never touches the other string. In normal picking, (and I played guitar for 40+ years) I naturally play both strings and I don't feel like I'm doing anything different from when I played guitar, as far as attacking the strings with the pick is concerned. All that to say, I think if you keep your picking motion parallel to the plane of the strings and follow through a little more, you'll find yourself picking both strings.