Types of Chops

[MandoMN18]

Hi,
This is probably a newbie question or one that simply comes down to preference.

I’ve noticed that some mandolin players do more of a boom chuck chop with using 3 or 4 finger chop cords and doing the basic chop and then mute. Then I noticed other players that like to chop using their pinky finger as a mute to chop with and use some two finger chords like the two finger G and then use their pinky as a mute to chop... almost like Sam Bush style. I’m confused as to what is the best way to learn to chop. Any ideas or should I learn both?
Thanks!!

[Bill McCall]

learn lots of ways to chop, they are all useful and some are easier than others.

I prefer the pork chop but I'll go to my corner now

[Phil Goodson]

I use the usually press & relax method for most chops.

The 'ring finger/pinkie' mute method works best when using partial chords (often 1/5 'power chords'), fingered e.g. 220x or 422x which use only the index and middle fingers and leave the ring & pinkie fingers free to mute. Of course, these are moveable up the neck.

[Mark Gunter]

I’d say “both” - learn everything you want to; focus on one thing at a time.