My First Mando

[lbracale]

Here is a pic of my first Mando. So far I really like it a lot. I love the Italian Mando sound as well as some jazz. I am very new to this style and this instrument but I am learning something new every day. I'm not sure what style I will be playing yet but I am open. I currently play piano so we shall see how i fit this in.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Richard Russell]

Looks good! I'm a fan of the black topped mandolin look. My Flatiron happens to have that look! Italian style mandolin music is wonderful. Once you get a nice, smooth tremolo down, you can really make a mandolin sound great in this style! Best of luck in your mandolin journey and keep us posted on your progress!

[lbracale]

Hey thanks. I am having a hard time getting a clean tremolo. Its not as easy to do as it looks. I was looking for some thinner picks at Guitar Center but they told me I should only use the Mando pics. Is that true?

[Dfyngravity]

I don't think they are picks out there that are only suppose to used for mandolin. Try all sorts of picks...brand name, thickness, shape, size...and figure out what works best for you.

[Jim Broyles]

It may seem counterintuitive, but a heavier pick works MUCH better for tremolo. As a thin pick strikes the string, it deflects somewhat while your hand is still going down, thus creating a micro-delay in the note, and the time it takes to get back to shape will slow down your tremoloing. A heavy pick will pick the note and stay straight thus being ready to pick the note again on the upstroke. I would slightly disagree with Dfyngravity, in that I believe that there are mandolin-specific picks on the market, but I would concede that they do not have to be used on a mandolin only, and furthermore, picks which are sold as guitar picks may also work fine on a mando. Mess around with picks until you get one which sounds good to you, then tweak it if necessary to customize it to your preference in playing style.

[alespa]

IMHO the Dawg pick is perfect for tremolo . . . at 2mm with very round edges and round polished edge, I find the pick "glides" over the strings easier.

[SpookyReverb]

http://www.hostdub.com/albums/SpookyReverb/mando.sized.jpg

I've got the same mando, best 30 bucks I've EVER spent.
seriously.

[ab4usa]

I find tremolo easiest with a Wegan Twin pick that is VERY thick (2.5mm). Signifigantly easier than with any other pick.

[bluegrassplayer]

Golden Gate picks are great for tremelos. You don't get a lot of volume, but they are a pretty good pick.

[SpookyReverb]

When you guys say tremelo, are ou speaking of fastpicking?
Just trying to get my lingo up to snuff!

[epicentre]

SPOOKY:

When folks refer to tremolo, it means very fast picking back and forth across a string or strings to the point where the single note becomes blurred and you hear a continuous sound.
???Make sense.??

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Better correct that. There is also "slow" tremolo, like, tremolo, but not as fast; lots of this in blues. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[SpookyReverb]

Alright, tremelo, got it.
I use it a lot in surf music, but always just called it fastpicking!

[rsgars]

Also give the Jazzmando picks a try. They work pretty good for me.

[SpookyReverb]

I'm going to have to get a real 'mando' pick here pretty soon.
I've been using Fender gel mediums, but I want to try something different!