I humbly learned a helpful trick this week. I like to make my own backing tracks in the key of A. I am mainly a 5-string banjo player. I recently bought an Eastman 505CC mandolin and am very happy with it. The tuning keys turn easily, which is why I bought the 505 rather than the 305. I love the mandolin, but am still a novice at it, so the heavier 4th strings tend to twang when I don't press down hard enough when forming chords. I think it is important to build finger strength, so I wouldn't recommend doing this all the time; but just for recording, I retune the fourth strings from G to A, which allows me to forget about the 4th strings. Now I can just heartily strum across the 4th strings open without worrying about missing the chord. I'm not sure if this is not a recommend thing to do, but it works for me.
If any players have some thoughts, I'm appreciate your wisdom. I was playing mostly two and three finger chords. Retuning my 4th string from G to A now allows me to include the 4th strings. I'm curious if others players do this too. God bless and thanks.
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