This thread seems to be mainly about what play other than the melody, but I would suggest also listening to Kenny Hall, blind bowl-back mandolin player who picks with his index finger. #(Not that I'm advocating either blindness or index-finger picking.)
Here's a link to his website, which includes some short (35 second) MP3's of his playing. #I heard him about 35 years ago at Fox Hollow, and have one of his '70's records with the Sweets Mill String Band (which also included Jim Ringer). #Hall mostly plays melody, but in a distinctive non-bluegrass old-timey style.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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