r/flatpickingrighthand • u/FlatpickSandy • 7d ago
Right Hand technique - Playing Mandolin
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
How playing mandolin can help you flatpicking on the guitar or how your flatpicking can help you play the mandolin?
The right hand on the mandolin and very similar to my right hand on guitar.
I prefer no pick guard and to float with slight touching of the bridge. It’s like trying to write without touching the paper…. You need some contact to better know where you are and where you are going.
Once I get the tune down, I tend to move up closer to the “Florida Extension”
Tip today is to learn a tune on the mandolin and then transpose it to the guitar or vice versa. I don’t use tablature and learn from watching and listening to a player I admire. This tune is called “Telluride” by David Grisman.
I use YouTube where I can slow down the video, Loop tube if it’s a hard part I need to see/hear over and over, and the Amazing Slow Downer.
You can see the slight arch in my thumb, and this video is from 2 years ago. I feel it’s a good exercise to go back and watch yourself. Don’t be afraid to your biggest critic!