https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/mandolin-basics-pick-hand-mandolin-beginner
Pick hand technique is crucial to get going early on the mandolin!
Discuss the Mandolin lesson: Mandolin Basics: Pick Hand
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@BanjoBen you mention two resources during the lesson:
Pick-hand foundations course
Pick-hand Study (in guitar section)
Seems to me it would make sense to have links to them in the resource section for the lesson. What do you think? Or did I miss something?
Yes @perkinscharles Charles. The work / time involved. @BanjoBen has a tiny window to plan, record and publish each lesson. It’s no hardship to go seek out these lessons and in doing so students learn to navigate the site and find other great lessons to study.
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Here you go! I don’t have a way to put it on the lesson page, but should’ve linked them here in the forum thread…you are correct.
Pick Hand Foundations
Pick Hand Study
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Just looking for clarification so I don’t start any habits I will need to correct.
In this lesson you suggest that we make contact on the top of the bridge of lightly touch the strings behind the saddle. In the Pick foundations course “Arm and hand position” JD suggests that we play free hand so we aren’t stuck on anything. He mentions that a palm on the bridge or on the strings restricts movement. I’m sure the answer could be " do what works for you" , but right now I’m just trying to figure out what is the best habit to create. Nothing right now really feels very natural or comfortable so I’m just trying to practice what you would suggest might be the better practice long term. This lesson was two years ago and the Pick foundations was 10 years ago so maybe this newer information is more applicable?
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It’s a great question. I didn’t catch that potential inconsistency. I’d like to clarify that when I say my hand touches it, it is extremely light in such a way that it doesn’t inhibit the movement at all. I’d say it’s better, if you have to have a rule, to not touch it. But, it’s ok to lightly brush or touch as long as your movement is not getting impeded and you’re not muting the mandolin by any means. I hope that helps!
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This might sound weird, but I think that is an awesome place to be. It’s much better to have a blank slate like that than to try to undo bad habits. Keep on picking!
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Thank you.
Thanks. I have faith that one day it will feel natural and comfortable. 
I just want to make sure I’m not practicing things I will need to change one day.
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I think you are on the right track. I wish that I had gotten more feedback before I got habits that are still with me decades later. I highly encourage posting videos to get feedback from Ben.