Tremolo

[chopaholic]

Is it just me, or does anyone else pick up your mandolin anxious to play that tremolo that you finally felt was decent yesterday - only to have it sound like you are attempting it with the pointed edge of a bottle cap today?

[Jim Broyles]

Chop, almost every musician I know has days when they feel as if they are regressing rather than progressing. When it comes to tremolo, it does indeed sound better at some times than at others, but it is when I'm not completely warmed up that it doesn't sound as good. Once I'm loose, I can pull a decent tremolo at will now. Do you always use the same pick?

[chopaholic]

Hey jb, thanks for the reply. I've been through lots of different picks, but I exclusively use a Tortis medium or heavy. The heavy slides a little easier, but the warmth and volume of the medium is much better. I always use the rounder corners. I've only been at this for two years, but it stinks to take backward steps. Still, there's nothing I enjoy more than learning to play.

[Chadmills]

I seem to remember that in that famous work of mando-lore Captain Corelli takes twenty minutes or more to get his tremolo back up to speed!
Tom

[Jerry Byers]

If you're playing with rounded corners or a mondo style pick, you might try a triangle pick or the Tortis C style. This will allow you to pick a little lighter and NOT concentrate on perfecting the tremolo - let it come naturally.

If you want to stay with the rounded corners, you might put a speed bevel on one of the tips - give that a try.

[johnM]

PIck grip is important for me too, but my main problem is comming out of a tremolo or stopping and going back to regular picking. I hear guys do it but I havn't gotten it yet. Any Idea's.

JM