Pick Stroke Theory Question

[PoniesRGr8]

Hi everyone,

I was just watching Chris Thile's mandolin technique DVD and I need a bit of clarification.

Chris says that in 4/4 time, strokes are down, up, down, up etc. except in the case of quarter notes, which are always downstrokes.

So, my question is, in the case of 6/8 time, where eighth notes are down, up, down, down, up etc., are quarter notes always played with a downstroke as well?

Thanks!

~*Sarah*~

[giverin]

I dont take any notice of the pick stroke theory when a song is in 6/8. I just let my right hand play whichever way it wants. But i do take notice of the PST when its in 4/4. Works for me.

[Tom C]

It depends on where the quarter note falls. If it's on the "on-beat", then down
stroke. If it's on the "off-beat", then upstroke.

[jeffshuniak]

yep, thats a fun one.... most of all, you know you want start you measures with down strokes and this quartnote rule screws you up in triple meters.

this is what I do. I have asked my teacher, he smiled, "thats one of the things you have to work with" #

(there are guys in the classical forum who really know a lot about the details of technique)


if the measure went: # 1/4 note, 1/8 note, 1/4 note, 1/8 note # #(six beats, right?)
# # # # # # # # # # # v# # # # ^ # # # #v # # # ^
and then the next measure starts down again.

obvioulsy a deviation from the rule

if the measure went: # 1/4, 1/4, 1/4 that does give you a problem landing on a down stroke for the next measure. I would upstroke the last one.

1/4 # 1/4 # 1/4
v # # #v # # ^ # # #really it doesnt matter with quarternotes, the point is, up and down for 8 notes, because they are consecutive.

if you were in 2/4 time, it could be 1/8 notes that COULD get the down, down treatment.
and then the 16ths would be mandatory up and down.

[jeffshuniak]

that came out real unclear.

1/4, 1/4, 1/8, 1/8
v # # v # # v # ^ # # # # #

1/8, #1/4, 1/4, 1/8
v # # #^ # # V # ^

1/4, 1/8, 1/4, 1/8
v # # ^ # #v # #^ #

1/4 #1/8 1/8 #1/4
v # # ^ # #v # ^

1/8 #1/4 1/8 1/4
v # # ^ # #v # ^

I dont know where you are confused so forgive me if I state the obvious or explain too much...
its not that quartnotes are always down, its that it is OK to skip the up, down, strokes while you play quarters

[vkioulaphides]

The basic suggestion is, of course, perfectly sound. But much more —and much more important— hinges on which string(s) one is playing on: Is all this under the assumption of playing on one string only? Obviously, whatever string-crossings are involved will be of critical significance to what pick-strokes will work best. Will there be legato? Where do the phrases begin and end?

A good method book or a knowledgeable teacher —plus, of course, practice, practice, practice— http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif is the best answer, along with the proverbial grain of salt for your own, personal preferences.

Best of luck.