Picking problem

[xav88]

I've been working out of a music book and on the e string(s) when I'm picking I will often hit one of the strings and stop at the next. This is a huge problem that I can't seem to fix. I've tried different pick thickness and different intensity of playing but I can't stop it. It happens with more frequency on the upstroke.

[Gary Leonard]

You mean you are playing just one of the strings of a pair? That can be caused by a lot of things. Take a look at various beginner lessons on the topic of proper right hand technique. More arm motion possibly, less bouncing (bouncing meaning driving towards the top of the mandolin then down or up).

Practice a relaxed right hand picking on open strings, making sure you engage both strings. Move the pick through the string, making sure you aren't "arcing" over the second string. I still struggle with this at times, as I was rather timid on my approach to picking when I was first learning mandolin.