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

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