flyboy - Posted - 01/09/2011:  07:42:00

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Hey to everyone, I am new to mandolin playing and I am wondering about the shape of the pick I am trying to get better at tremolo picking. It is frustrating I can sustain it for a second or two but it is inconsistent. I am using a stiff triangular shaped pick that doesn't flex very much. Someone told me that they shape there own picks. That is to say that they take a triangular shaped pick and round the sharp corners considerably and even sand the edges thinner. Does anyone have any advise for playing exercises or techniques to improve tremolo and thoughts about pick shapes that help to improve playing. Thanks

mandolinmailman - Posted - 01/09/2011:  08:02:46

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Hi flyboy........I used to shape my own picks using a nail file. It didn't leave such a smooth finish though. Then I found that the shoulder of a fairly stiff , standard shaped pick was about the same shape as my 'custom' shaped picks, with less work. Some folks like the more rounded picks. Try a few until you get comfortable. I have a box full. Start slow. Speed will build after a while. Have fun!

un5trung - Posted - 01/09/2011:  08:50:48

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IMHO the shape of the pick doesn't matter -- the skill of the player does. Depending on what music I'm playing I use the rounded soft plastic Wegen TF 140 or the hard plastic Dunlop Ultex 1.40 Sharpie, and both are fine for tremolo. I don't mean to suggest that I'm incredibly skilled, because I'm not. But I can use two picks that differ in shape and feel with equal skill (or lack thereof, depending on the listener!).

TSSN - Posted - 01/09/2011:  09:56:54

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Two pieces of advice I have recieved over the years:

1) From my instructor: He uses picks that are triangular, with one pointy end, and two rounded off ends. He turns the pick to the softer, rounded corners for his tremolo. (Although he also insists that tremolo is more about technique and less about pick---turning the pick was just an aid.) Result: Didn't work for me---technique was where I needed work.

2) From many: Go to the music store with $10-20, and buy a bunch. Use them all. Experiment. You WILL find one (or more) that suit YOU best. Result: True. I could go on, but then I would be giving you my preferences, and that's not the point of your query.

Good luck!

mandolinman31639 - Posted - 01/09/2011:  10:54:17

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I use a standard shape pick but use the corners not the point. Clayton .94

Bill2932 - Posted - 01/09/2011:  19:56:37

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you have try several for mandolin I use a Fender #346 heavy
the quote below from fender sums up what I like about them

"These large rounded triangle picks provide 3 edges to use. When one wears down, just switch sides. The wide body provides plenty of surface to hold and the rounded tip has a nice, smooth action. Choose thin, medium, or heavy"

Buttonwood Bob - Posted - 01/10/2011:  08:09:38

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Hard pick or corner. Corner is better.

un5trung - Posted - 01/10/2011:  09:12:40

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quote:

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Hard pick or corner. Corner is better.

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Someone once told me that Grisman developed the Dawg pick because he used the broad corner of a teardrop, and figured he could do away with the tapered part entirely, creating a pick comprised of corners!

bikebum - Posted - 01/10/2011:  10:31:07

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I have a tortise shell pick (from back in the dark ages) that is triangular shaped. I modified it to have 3 different size rounded corners. It is a thin stiff pick but seems to work well. I prefer the sound of my Dawg pick but the tortise is easier for me to use.

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/10/2011:  11:33:48

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I hate to sound like an ad, but I recently got a Blue Chip CT-55. Expensive, but worth it in my opinion. I Love it. The edges are bevelled and it seems to glide thru the strings.

un5trung - Posted - 01/10/2011:  11:57:35

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I have a CT-55 and like it just fine. Worth $35? See below --

But I don't play with it regularly. I like the clarity of the tone with the Ultex and the soft sound of the Wegen.

As for the expense of the Blue Chip some people argue that we pay $xxxx for our instrument, why not plunge in $xx for our interface with the instrument. It's a persuasive argument, and if one loves the Blue Chip pick worth it the expense is easily accounted for. But people curious about it may want to find someone who plays with one and borrow it. Could be you'll fall in love and send right out for one (and they're mailed almost as soon as Blue Chip gets the order, I swear) but it might be that you find you're happy with what you've got. I don't think many will be disappointed with the Blue Chip but some, like myself, might find they already have what they need.

paire-berline - Posted - 01/10/2011:  13:22:38

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The Dawg pick would be a good one to try for a tremolo.

Mr Charlie - Posted - 01/10/2011:  14:56:55

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I bought a sack full one time with all sizes and I go thru them from time to time and hit on a good one and the best one I found in this bag is a New York Pro and I have used it the last two years and to do a tremolo I turn it on the round end and put a slight angle on it.

TI_USER - Posted - 01/11/2011:  08:53:44

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I agree with all that you have to experiment with many various shapes and sizes to find what you're comfortable with. For me, I found the Fender #346 Extra Heavy works best for my mandolin and the tone I am looking for. As far as tremolo is concerned, It is entirely about technique. You shouldn't be so concerned about finding a pick for tremolo as much as finding a pick that works for all playing styles. I found that a overly rounded corner, like the Dawg, while working great for tremolo, was awful for lead playing. I lost all volume and attack. Some swear by the Dawg or Golden Gate. It's all personal preference. I bought a Blue Chip and while I loved the feel and smoothness of that pick, it all comes down to tone. I just didn't like the tone with it on MY mandolin. I also don't care for a beveled edge, but that's a whole different discussion.

DaddyJ - Posted - 01/11/2011:  09:02:25

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quote:

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Originally posted by bikebum

I have a tortise shell pick (from back in the dark ages) that is triangular shaped. I modified it to have 3 different size rounded corners. It is a thin stiff pick but seems to work well. I prefer the sound of my Dawg pick but the tortise is easier for me to use.

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Maybe it’s just me but the Dawg picks just don’t work for me. I find it almost impossible to get anything but a muted tone from them. What’s the deal? Grisman obviously sounds great and I’ve know lots of people love the Dawg picks so they can’t be defective. Am I doing something wrong? It’s not that I don’t like them, I literally can’t play with them. Every year or so I’ll see one in my drawer and think, hey, nice pick, let’s give it another shot. And every year it goes flying across the room in disgust.

For the record, I’ve used Golden Gate picks (similar to Dawg, but thinner) with much success. I even used them with my guitar for a while. Just can’t get the Dawg to bark for some reason.

Anyway to the original topic, I prefer a pointier pick (like the CT-55) and have no problem playing tremolo with it. The rounded picks are easier to get tremolo with I think, but if you prefer pointy there's no reason you can't learn to get a good tremolo sound with it.

TSSN - Posted - 01/11/2011:  15:36:01

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quote:

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For the record, I’ve used Golden Gate picks (similar to Dawg, but thinner) with much success. I even used them with my guitar for a while. Just can’t get the Dawg to bark for some reason.

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Okay, here goes. I agree with the Golden Gates for making tremolo a bit easier. I also have an easier time when using D'Andrea ProPlecs, Wegen TF-140s, and the V-Pick Tremolo.

The last one is on the expensive side, but it does work pretty well for me.