Mandolin: Rhythm Techniques and Chopping on Mandolin

Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 02:04:20 EST
Subject: flat mando chops

whats up?
I have been playing mandolin for about 5 years now. I also play guitar,banjo,bass,and some piano.im havin a fit with chops.sometimes they sound right,sometimes they dont.alot of times they sound dead.no crispness, no punch.what am I doin wrong? On the down stroke i raise my fingers slightly and they sound good.but sometimes they sound better if I chop/rake the strings. I have a johnson f-style.help!

Greetings...

Glad to assist if I can:

Mandolin chopping is an art form unto itself..in your case, you're going to find a lot of variables that will determine a good final chop:

1. The strike of the pick...sometimes, I've found that if I just strike the G D A strings, and omit the E strings, I get a chunkier chop. If I want a brighter chop, I'll focus on the D A E strings...

2. The gauge of strings will influence the ultimate sound of your chop...for instance, a heavier guage string will have more bottom end on the chop...while a lighter gauge will add to the brightness of the chop.

3. Timing is of the essence: when striking the strings with your flatpick, you'll be pulling up with your fretting hand almost simultaneously...almost a fraction of a second after striking the strings, you'll be lifting your fingers slightly. When a chop is properly done, you will hear a slight echo effect reverberating back from the instrument...not a thud.

4. The mandolin itself will contribute to the ultimate chop...some mandos have good chops...others do not. To determine a good chop, again, requires someone with a discerning ear. It can take time to develop an ear for a good chop...suffice it to say, most high-end mandos, with F soundholes, will have a decent chop.

5. The type of pick you're using can contribute or take away from a chop...for instance, a light gauge pick will most definitely only create a slapping sound with no reverbating echo...a heavier gauge pick, or from medium to heavy, should work well.

Hope something here helps you out...Mickey

Let us know what you've discovered when experimenting with the tips in this section...e-mail us at: info@folkofthewood.com