aldocruise - Posted - 07/28/2014:  13:04:35

Just a beginner but managing most things reasonably well. Except for playing both strings. I can't quite get them to sound as one. Whenever I make a real effort to make sure I am playing both they sound like two individual strokes. I'm sure that's not the way they should sound. Any tips? I figure I'm doing something wrong with the pick angle or maybe it's the wrong pick? I'm using Fender Heavy.

TSSN - Posted - 07/28/2014:  17:01:59

A sound clip would help.... 

I remember when I first started and I could discern the sound you are referring to.  I was playing very slowly then. 

Also, are you using all downstrokes, or an alternating down-up-down-up?

aldocruise - Posted - 07/28/2014:  17:28:30

Mainly down strokes. Up strokes are even worse. I recorded myself this morning and it didn't sound as bad as I thought it would.

TSSN - Posted - 07/28/2014:  19:50:30

My instructor loved the phrase "unrelenting down-up-down-up". If you are going to play faster down the road, you will need to work beyond the constant down stroke approach.



Don Julin has contributed to the MHO before, and he has a great YouTube video on this topic that you should have a look at.

Rob Beck - Posted - 07/29/2014:  00:57:44

I'm sure that things will improve as you go along, but my first thought on reading your post was hearing both strings (albeit quite subtly) is actually part of the defining sound of the mandolin, and was part of what drew me to it in the first place.  

I would also experiment with your plectrum grip a little.  if you are holding the plectrum too rigidly, it can make it hard to hit both strings smoothly, a lot of people think that a loose grip is a good thing.  I'm sure this will be covered in the videos that TSSN has suggested.  Good luck!

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/29/2014:  05:38:27

I had the same problem when I first started playing mandolin.  It eventually worked itself out as I became more proficient and had more practice time.  Occasionally I will still hear both strings, but it doesn't happen nearly as often as it did a couple of years ago.   I think as you learn the songs and become familiar with them and your tempo increases, that the dual string sound will diminish. 

I found that for me, using the rounded side of the pick made it easier to hit both strings evenly -- don't know if that would help you or not, but you might try it.  Also, what helped me a lot was loosening my grip on the pick and letting my wrist move rather than keeping it rigid.  I don't know if that's right nor not, but it works for me.

aldocruise - Posted - 07/29/2014:  13:48:42

Thanks for all of that. I'll keep on keeping on and hopefully get better. Read somewhere else that I shouldn't worry about it too much. It will work itself out and all of a sudden the two strings will sound as one.