Popping out the notes

[Keith Erickson]

I've been listening to a lot of Butch Baldassari lately. #I've noticed that he somehow is able to make the notes pop right out at you. #It is so pretty to listen to. #I've been able to do this only by accident. #However when I try to do figure out what I just played a few moments earlier I can't quite get it.

Note: #I've only been able to achieve this on the D strings.

How do I purposely make this work ?

Much oblidged,

[AlanN]

Butchie is a stickler for proper technique. He lives what he preaches.

[Jonathan James]

his instructional DVDs have some great lessons on proper technique, using drones, etc. Highly recommended.

[gnelson651]

A fellow mandolinist said he advocates all down strokes on 8th notes.

Since I don't have any of his instructional material, I can't confirm this. But I can understand that notes could pop out more on down strokes.

[250sc]

The correct answer to 90% of the questions on this board is;

spend more time practicing, give it time and don't loose sight of your goals.

[Keith Erickson]

The correct answer to 90% of the questions on this board is;

spend more time practicing, give it time and don't loose sight of your goals.

Greg, I totally agree with you, but for some strange reason, I'm not sure what I am doing to make those notes pop. Right now, I can only achieve this (sometimes) when I am not thinking about it but when I try to re-trace my steps a second or two later, it's.... well.... not as stellar http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif


A fellow mandolinist said he advocates all down strokes on 8th notes.

Since I don't have any of his instructional material, I can't confirm this. But I can understand that notes could pop out more on down strokes.

Glen, You are absolutely right!!! I can a least confirm that the "pops" are coming off of the down strokes.

[250sc]

8_String_Keith,

The phenomenon of good things happening when your not thinking about it happens to me all the time. It mostly has to do with music just streaming out of the instrument with out my thinking about what I want to do or what I'm going to play. As soon as I notice that it is happening and think about it I normally crash and burn. It's kind of like the Zen of playing music. (Don't analyze too much.)

If I were you I'd keep working on trying to get the notes to "pop" like you want them to but I'll bet the more you play the more it will happen on it's own.

As to playing 8th notes with all down strokes.....at bluegrass speeds I can't even keep up playing up-down 8th notes. :-)

Good luck.

[BradB]

To help get that "pop", hold your pick very loosely, keep a relaxed wrist, and let the weight of your hand push the pick across the string. Don't pick by flexing your fingers but by relaxing your wrist and letting your hand drop.

Butch advocates keeping the neck horizontal to get the proper right hand attack angle, but I think that having the neck angled upwards is better for your left hand and wrist.

It also helps that Butch plays great sounding instruments, like his 1925 Gibson F5 and his Nugget.

[Keith Erickson]

Greg,

I agree but I haven't had a good night sleep for about a week because it's been driving me crazy http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Brad,

Thank you!!! Now maybe I might be able to sleep tonight http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Okay now for silly question #764...
...Can I "pop" on the treble strings as well as the bass strings?

Thanks-a-bunch again http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[250sc]

8_String_Keith,

Not too compulsive are you? ;-)

[jasona]

Technique, technique, and tools. A good mandolin just seems to have that "pop" to my ear. I also highly recommend a tortis pick with a rounded edge, not their "speed bevel" (which sounds overly bright and tinny to my ear). Or a ProPlec.

[luckylarue]

I think Butch plays tighter strings to get that "pop". Seriously, playing a tune as slowly and clearly as possible helps me to get the desired tone/phrasing I'm after (not that I always find it).

[Keith Erickson]

8_String_Keith,

Not too compulsive are you? ;-)
Ask anyone who has worked for me and they will agree with you http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Especially when it comes down to performing the task properly http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Dfyngravity]

Flawless technique and two mandolins that have a combined worth of the average home is a good way to start.

On Cantabile: Duets for Mandolin and Guitar there are a couple peices that he makes it sound as if he were playing the classical guitar....tone to die for!!

[250sc]

Does anyone else here listen to the CD he did with John Reichman called Travellers. I haven't been able to take it out of my CD player for the last couple weeks. What a great assortment of musical styles and material......and picking.

[Keith Erickson]

I don't know if I am making any progress but I'm certainly trying different techniques on holding the pick/ picking. #I'll let you know when I finally reach the next stop on my manodlin journey.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm still open to hear anything that will help me improve my technique #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jasona]

Does anyone else here listen to the CD he did with John Reichman called Travellers. I haven't been able to take it out of my CD player for the last couple weeks. What a great assortment of musical styles and material......and picking.
That's one of my favourite albums! Great stuff.

In fact, I think I'll put it in the player now... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Eric F.]

I have Travellers going in my iTunes right now. Great album.