rhythm (or lack thereof)

[RBMB]

I'm a relatively new mandolin player. I have been playing guitar for years and find playing melody on the mandolin very straightforward. I'm struggling with playing rhythm, particularly chopping bluegrass songs. The best help I’ve found has been to play along with the slow version of Steve Kaufman’s workout CDs. Does anyone have any recommendations for websites or other teaching materials?

[LarryMando]

this is a must see/know video on how the various instruments fit together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOVR6OXHHHI

Brad also covers the chop very well - - and you will see links to other videos once you get there.

[grassrootphilosopher]

Check out music-moose lessons here or here. Recomended.

[JeffD]

Sometimes I just practice rhythm, not even chords. I just mute the strings and chop. For me it helps to concentrate on the right hand by making the left hand irrelevant.

So I put on any halfway good CD and scratch along. Its a good way to wear a bevel into a cheap pick too.

[Alex Orr]

John McGann has a helpful DVD on rhythm mandolin. If you're used to playing bluegrass guitar, playing on the offbeat can be frustrating. One way to ease into it is to play a boom-chuck style and gradually remove the "boom". Also, remember that you can play around with the style - you don't always have to be playing a straight chop on the offbeat.

[Pete Hicks]

At a campout last week, a beginner friend of mine was saying she couldn't get the chop because she couldn't find the back beat. I observed her dancing and pointed out to her that she always bent her knees on the backbeat. She went back into the jam -problem solved. Listening to snare drums can also help.

[Rob Gerety]

Dancing is a terrific way to get a strong sense of where the beats are.

[RBMB]

... you've never seenn me dance ... my wife took out insurance on her feet before she would dance with me ..

[Loretta Callahan]

I like the dancing advice. I'm a former dancer ... no longer able to do so ... and am working on transferring the toe and footwork to my fingers. It works!

[Rob Gerety]

I find that I play a lot better when I get my body moving with the rhythm quite a bit - almost like dancing as I play.