alexislaurenxoxo - Posted - 08/12/2014:  05:03:40

Does it make a difference?

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 08/12/2014:  05:22:06

When you are standing it makes a great difference ..holding one with your elbow against your rib cage is possible but difficult, Jethro Burns managed it just fine, and it will involve actually using your noting hand to balance the instrument.. sitting not so much...with a foot on foot or a case as a foot rest the F style mandolin can rest on your leg by it's lower point..... A style is a different matter. .but still can be balanced there....... The thing about a strap is that using one while sitting and / or standing allows the player to locate the mandolin in the same playing posture for both positions without a lot of fidgeting. R/

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/12/2014:  05:26:48

I always use a strap on my mandolin, whether standing or sitting.  It helps keep the mandolin in the same position each time you play and lets your hands/fingers be free to move on the fretboard or on the strings.   I guess what I'm trying to say is:  it's more comfortable so you can concentrate on what you're picking.

alexislaurenxoxo - Posted - 08/12/2014:  07:16:13

Thanks! I'm currently using one and I have noticed it was a little easier to focus on my picking, I'll keep using it. :)

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/12/2014:  07:46:28

Now you have to make the choice of whether to hook it over your right shoulder or to stick your head through the strap.  I use the right shoulder for mandolin.  My son Clay often sticks his head through, but when he borrows my mandolin he uses the right shoulder because of the strap length.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 08/12/2014 07:57:43

Clayton Yates at Port Hope Bandshell

Jim with Eastman 605 at Harry's Little House of Bricks

 

 

Ben Venuti - Posted - 08/12/2014:  11:08:06

Tough call --Dave Apollon, Red Rector did not use straps and are notably two of the all time best mandolin players ever. Most players do though. I never thought about it when I started, I just used a strap. You, on the other hand, did think about it ! I'd try it both ways if I were you and see what comes of it--

SteveZ - Posted - 08/12/2014:  15:29:41

Holding it without the strap means the back of he instrument is usually plastered against the msician's torso, dampening the instrument somewhat (unless there is a Tone Gard or equivalent). With a strap the instrument is "freer" from one's torso.

Edited by - SteveZ on 08/12/2014 15:30:23

alexislaurenxoxo - Posted - 08/12/2014:  18:47:38

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Yates

 

Now you have to make the choice of whether to hook it over your right shoulder or to stick your head through the strap.  I use the right shoulder for mandolin.  My son Clay often sticks his head through, but when he borrows my mandolin he uses the right shoulder because of the strap length.

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I stick my head through, but I will try it just over my shoulder and see which of the two I prefer. Thank you!

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/12/2014:  21:03:22

Richard mentioned that Jethro Burns played a strapless mandolin.  While he did start using a strap later in his carreer, he played a lot of pretty complicated stuff without it.  youtube.com/watch?v=o0mGFjAySTw

dhbailey - Posted - 08/13/2014:  03:14:31

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveZ

 

Holding it without the strap means the back of he instrument is usually plastered against the msician's torso, dampening the instrument somewhat (unless there is a Tone Gard or equivalent). With a strap the instrument is "freer" from one's torso.

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It's interesting that you say that with a strap the instrument is "freer" from one's torso -- I found that with a strap or without a strap the mandolin's back was against my torso.  I asked my wife (a violinist) if she could hear a difference between my normal standing posture (I was using a strap at the time) and when I purposely held the mandolin away from my body.  She could hear a clear difference so I bought a ToneGard and now my mandolin's tone is the same whether I use a strap or not.  So now it's really a comfort issue for me whether I choose to use the strap or not .

Susanne - Posted - 08/17/2014:  14:54:26

I always use a strap. Then the mandolin hangs there and I don't need to focus on holding the thing, but to play instead. Lately I try to hold the mandolin a bit out of the body, to make the sound come out better, and I wouldn't be able to do that without a strap.

phiddlepicker - Posted - 08/17/2014:  19:47:22

Strap

(unless I'm sitting down)

DHopkins - Posted - 09/11/2014:  18:46:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by Texasbanjo

 

I always use a strap on my mandolin, whether standing or sitting.  It helps keep the mandolin in the same position each time you play and lets your hands/fingers be free to move on the fretboard or on the strings.   I guess what I'm trying to say is:  it's more comfortable so you can concentrate on what you're picking.

---

What he said.

Donnie - Posted - 09/12/2014:  10:44:53

I use a strap everytime, unless I have access to one of those classical guitar foot rests. I'm getting a little "rounder in the middle" so my carved back "A" kinda slides a bit.... maybe time for a "reverse Ovation" bowl back!

Victoria - Posted - 09/18/2014:  07:34:18

I always use a strap, whether I am standing or sitting. It is more comfortable and easier to play that way. I find it more comfortable for me to stick my head thru the strap, and hold my mandolin like a guitar because I am so small! lol (: Others find it easier to put it over their right or left shoulder. (:

Edited by - Victoria on 09/18/2014 07:34:53

Matt Bowe - Posted - 10/03/2014:  21:42:00

Go strapless. It adds an air of je ne sais quoi.

IanGwyther - Posted - 10/04/2014:  13:42:07

Just got a button and a strap put on mine noticed that it seems a lot easier to concentrate on playing and getting my fretting right rather than trying to balance mandolin.