Jonnyboy - Posted - 09/20/2013:  04:43:57

I've just started to learn to play mandolin, and I have a tendency to plant my fingers on the scratch plate when picking.

Is this the thing to do or am I in danger  of creating a bad habit?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/20/2013:  05:34:48

Do whatever feels right to you.  I was told when I first started picking mandolin not to anchor anywhere, to just put the heel of my hand on the bridge and not anchor my finger(s).   I was also told to keep my middle, ring and pinkie tucked into my palm.  That was terribly uncomfortable for me and just didn't feel right. 

I then started anchoring my pinkie and  letting my fingers fall loose and it felt more "normal" to me and I could pick better.

So, find whatever suits you.

Others may not agree.

TeachinMandolin444 - Posted - 09/20/2013:  15:06:06

I also anchor my finger on the pick guard of the mandolin-resting on the bridge never felt right to me for whatever reason. Do what works for you!

Jim Yates - Posted - 09/21/2013:  16:39:41

I let my fingers glide over the top or pick guard (all of my mandos don't have pick guards), but don't anchor them.  I've seen great pickers who do it both ways.

abinigia - Posted - 09/21/2013:  16:50:14

Some players (many, actually) hover their right hand over the strings. Others, like me, use the top or the pick guard as a place to let your little finger lightly brush against as you play. If you don't have a guard it will wear your top eventually. I don't know what style you're playing but in bluegrass you want your hand to be able to move freely, so use one of the above styles, but don't anchor like a 5-string banjo player.

TI_USER - Posted - 09/21/2013:  17:40:09

There are many great players, and not so great players, that have very strong opinions about this.  Personally, I'm in the camp of whatever allows you to play the easiest and cleanest.  If you are working with a teacher, then is is probably best to follow that teacher's advice.  If you are learning on your own then do whatever feels best.  I actually have a very unusual style.  When I play instrumental leads, the knuckle of my pinky finger rests on the top of the mandolin and the pinky fingertip actually curls under the E strings a bit.  I never really thought about it until the issue of "planting" came up once and then took a look at what I was doing.  I works for me, that's all I know.

TI_USER - Posted - 09/21/2013:  17:44:05

quote:

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Originally posted by abinigia

 

...so use one of the above styles, but don't anchor like a 5-string banjo player.

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Never watched Adam Steffey play have you?  Multi-time winner of the IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year.  Often plants his finger just like a banjo player.  Like I said above, do whatever works for you.  If it feels awkward to plant your finger, then don't do it.  If it helps you maintain control, then do it.

Edited by - TI_USER on 09/21/2013 17:44:35

abinigia - Posted - 09/21/2013:  18:54:20

quote:

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Originally posted by TI_USER

 

quote:

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Originally posted by abinigia

 

...so use one of the above styles, but don't anchor like a 5-string banjo player.

---

Never watched Adam Steffey play have you?  Multi-time winner of the IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year.  Often plants his finger just like a banjo player.  Like I said above, do whatever works for you.  If it feels awkward to plant your finger, then don't do it.  If it helps you maintain control, then do it.

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No, I didn't know that. He's a good player, no doubt. The way I'm suggesting allows your wrist to move freely which is important. I'll check a youtube and see what he's doing.

abinigia - Posted - 09/22/2013:  09:35:14

quote:

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Originally posted by abinigia

 

quote:

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Originally posted by TI_USER

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by abinigia

 

...so use one of the above styles, but don't anchor like a 5-string banjo player.

---

Never watched Adam Steffey play have you?  Multi-time winner of the IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year.  Often plants his finger just like a banjo player.  Like I said above, do whatever works for you.  If it feels awkward to plant your finger, then don't do it.  If it helps you maintain control, then do it.

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No, I didn't know that. He's a good player, no doubt. The way I'm suggesting allows your wrist to move freely which is important. I'll check a youtube and see what he's doing.

---

Here's a recent video on youtube about Adam KSteffey's new album.

youtube.com/watch?v=uDammichC50

In it he does anchor his hand when playing melody, and his hand floats freely when chopping. To me that seems unusual, but as TI_USER implies, it's the results that matter. When I play my right hand doesn't change much from chops to melody. Since the original question comes from a beginner I would still encourage a free hand as the best way to start. One should be aware of potential limitations and advantages when one is forming playing habits. Just because something feels comfortable when first starting isn't enough to know if it's the best technique. Maybe for you it will be, but give it some consideration.

TI_USER - Posted - 09/22/2013:  15:10:51

I totally agree with your statements and I'm certainly not implying that I'm right and your wrong, only that there are no hard rules about technique.  As a player progresses he or she should be able to determine what is a bad habit forming.  If a player is not progressing in their playing, then maybe it would be time to re-evaluate technique and end a possible bad habit. 

There are many legendary players that employ different techniques.  Adam Steffey and Sam Bush have VERY different techniques but are both excellent at their particular style.

Jonnyboy - Posted - 09/25/2013:  09:21:53

Hello All,
Thanks for your contribution and advice to my post.
Since I first posted I've practiced every day, picking a tune for a verse and chopping the verse and so on and then, low and behold it seemed natural not to place the fingers down on the scratch plate.
Thanks again John

ErikForGod - Posted - 09/30/2013:  09:36:16

Yes Bobby Osborne, Adam Steffey, Sierra Hull...all of these use the "ring-finger" plant on the top when they play, especially more complex passages. It's not a stiff finger plant I don't think but it does seem to pivot while they play. I've also seen Ricky Skaggs play his mandolin that way too, usually on breakneck speed instrumentals. I personally espouse the loose fist, loose wrist hover style with the back of the palm slightly brushing or resting just behind the bridge. Don't just "play however it feels" you need to make sure that no matter what type of right hand your using follow this criteria



1.) Am I able too play with a loose wrist or is my motion stiff with lot's of forearm?

2.) Do all of my alternative picking strokes have even volume or uneven volume?

3.) Do I have a nice pick angle when playing up and down strokes?



So no matter what style or how you play if you're able to keep a loose wrist have even volume on your up and downstrokes and are striking the strings at the right pick angle, you should be ok. However don't discount right-hand technique. I personally feel the left hand is important but less so. The "right-hand" is everything in mandolin playing and if you suspect something is just not right or aren't getting the tone you want, take a look at your right-hand.

Edited by - ErikForGod on 09/30/2013 09:37:17