Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

New Mandolin Player asking for tips

#1

I’m a beginner mandolin player. I am running into a serious slow down as far as learning. I’m working so hard on “Not having bad habits” but I may be creating more problems for myself in learning.

I am having two major issues:

  • I can’t play loosely like JP Schafer suggests without loosing a ton of volume. He says to play relaxed like you are shaking water off your hands after washing them. Also, he says to hold the pick just enough to keep it from flying across the room. Perhaps I need to use a little more force than that??

  • I’m getting a lot of “click” with the pick. Perhaps I hear it more than someone else listening to me. I am using a Dunlop Prime-tone Triangle 1.4mm Sculpted Plectra. I am waiting for the Banjo Ben Store to get Blue-Chip CT55 in. Seems like everyone in the world is out of those.

Again, I am in the “Beginner section” looking around.

Any thoughts at all?

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#2

Hi Bama, and welcome to Banjo Ben’s forum! Just wanted to say, I think it’s great that you’re putting a lot of time and thought into getting a good foundation right from the start, you’ll be so glad you did! I’d recommend posting a short video if you’re able to, as that would definitely make it easiest to give you advice!

  1. Yes, it’s super important to hold the pick as loosely as possible. You really don’t want any tension at all as that will hinder your speed, tone, etc. More volume will come as you get more confident holding the pick, right now it probably feels like it’s about to fall out of your hand so it’s hard to play confidently and with any power.
  2. Is your pick angled at all, or hitting parallel to the string? I’d recommend having it at a slight angle, I’ve found that minimizes the click some and also gives a warmer tone.

Hope some of this helps! And again posting a short video would be helpful too! :slight_smile:
-Lucy

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#3

Thanks so much for the reply. I am basically doing everything that JP Shafer said to do in the video on this issue including hold the pick at a slight angle. I think you are correct in saying that time and practice will bring about confidence and comfort. I’m a stickler for detail and structure so perhaps I just need to keep going and one day everything will just start to click.

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#4

Hey Bama remember this is suppose to be fun. Its not a sprint, its a life long jorney with peaks and valleys. Take your time and enjoy. It is so much fun to see yourself get better. In a year you will look back and be amazed at how much you have improved. Just remember consistency with the practice and keep your mandolin in a place where you can pick it up easy and maybe even practice for 5 min while watching TV or whenever you have a minute. I pickup my banjo whenever I am waiting for my wife to get ready. Lots of practice time waiting for her.
Good luck

2 Likes
#5

Thanks for the encouragement. I play almost everyday. Each time I figured something new out.

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#6

Hey @Bama, some great advice here.

To repeat what’s been said, there are so many variables and a short video of you playing where we can clearly see your pick hand would go a long way. You can post it in the Video Swap category. I look forward to seeing it!

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#7

Here’s a short clip of my progress and volume as you folks requested. Take a look at what I’m doing and see if I’m on right track. My hands are small so I am having difficulty keeping space between thumb and neck. This video represents a comfort zone for me. Here’s the link. The file was too big to upload here.https://youtu.be/So4ri7UAhME?si=kculT3Rs6kNOz49U

#8

Here you go, buddy! You’re doing good!

https://youtu.be/PRSiQCcWqLQ