How to hold the pick?

[guitarlifter]

Here is a video I made on the topic of holding the pick for mandolin playing. I've recently changed the way I hold my pick to a more traditional grip, and I think it's working better for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo-bcVkZaPI

[Marilyn on Mandolin]

I am still trying to figure out my strumming on the mandolin, especially when I switch back and forth with my guitar during a jam session or just playing at night. Right now I am using a hard pick, not sure of the specs. Great video, also like the others. Subscribed.

[Jim Garber]

I also think that for mandolin and flatpick guitar (playing melody lines) you need a relatively loose grip to allow the pick to move a bit. Maybe it is a different style than you are aiming for which seems a tighter grip.

[Astro]

I went through same evolution. Prob most guitar players do. The pickguard helped me remember to close my hand. I have mostly given up the pinkie plant now and that sped me up again. Now I'm working on giving up the armwrest plant of my forearm and that really frees me up. Tremelo is a work in progress.

One thing I notice about advanced players is that, compared to me, they dont choke up on the pick. I mean they leave a lot of pick out and seem to barely hold on to it. I am trying that but its tough for me. Slow I can be loose. But when I speed up melody leads, I seem to really clinch down.

[Mark Gunter]

It's always cool to read or hear about how a mandolin newbie is progressing by changing old guitar habits. I think an important element is that no matter how long you've been playing a certain way, don't be afraid to experiment and invest the time to make changes for improving or broadening you technique. No matter how awkward it seems at first, with a little practice old habits can be changed.