You're Playing Loud the WRONG Way I Mandolin Lesson

You want to be able to hear yourself play, but your mandolin is really quiet. So you play harder, and you still can’t hear yourself. So you play harder than that. Now you’re louder, but the tone is bad, and you’re out of tune. Sound familiar? Here’s what to do instead. - Nate
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[@johncrosley1557]

This is the best explanation of mandolin picking techniques I've ever heard

[@PlayNately]

Wow, thanks John!

[@EverybodyLovesAnOutlaw]

SUCH GOOD ADVICEEEEE PLS KEEP EM COMING

[@Peter-sk5vg]

Excellent advice. An ACCORDION player...ugh...has arrived amongst us. Its a NIGHTMARE. This is great advice. No more tears...especially when we...remove..him

[@PlayNately]

Maybe bring an electric guitar or some bagpipes. Win with volume.

[@raouldelarue6033]

Awesome

[@PlayNately]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@robtsologtr]

Re: “the scooping motion.” I have students visualize a figure 8 that has been “bent” at the lobes, creating an arch (what you describe as a scoop). Imagine a continuous motion, making the turn at the ends of the figure 8, conserving your momentum as opposed to a mechanical stop/start as pick direction changes. It takes less effort and facilitates playing with a bouncy swing as opposed to rat tat tat rhythm.

[@PlayNately]

Love your thought-out approach Robert! Btw, have you checked out Troy Grady's "Cracking the Code" site? It's a fantastic resource. I'm planning to switch out some of my terminology to match his. Some of the common terms used by mandolin players aren't clear and easy to remember. - Nate

[@robtsologtr]

Another way to think of conserving momentum. To play louder, you are trying to exert force to the string. Force = Mass X Acceleration. When you dig in, your adding weight, or mass. By conserving momentum you require less effort to accelerate into the string. Basic algebra, f = ma. > a requires < m to get the same f. Start by doing exadurated figure 8s while strumming chords, then gradually shrink the motion to where you play over 3 string pairs, then 2, then one.

[@PlayNately]

@@robtsologtr You're definitely the first to respond to a comment in algebra on any of my socials, haha! That's a very interesting explanation, and I'll take your word for it on the algebra part! Thanks for sharing you thoughts on this, Robert! - Nate

[@ssgiddyup]

I keep finding useful videos I haven't seen. My mandolin learning is very sporadic because I focus on fiddle. But this will get me learning proper technique before I can learn bad technique. Thanks! Sheryl

[@PlayNately]

It's worth the time to master this early. Glad you're making some time to fit it in around your fiddle practice, Sheryl! - Nate

[@calebellismando]

I need this! Awesome video

[@JustFiddler]

matur suksma

[@PlayNately]

You’re welcome!

[@grahamwren6385]

Nice slab! I love mine--best picks on the market. I have a few and the 1.4 tri is def my favorite. Such an amazing boost to my mandolin tone. This video helps me make the most of it!

[@PlayNately]

The slabs really rock! I’ve been using the tri and the tweener 3 round. Both are fantastic. I want to try Frank’s signature pick too. - Nate

[@doctormimi9486]

Love that -pick 2 of 3 --hahahaha it’s like Schrödinger’s equation which Heisenberg took to form the ‘uncertainty principle’ hahahaha -where you can only pick ONE of 2 --I guess I wanna pick in tune and faster -I’ll give up loud to you pros 🎶

[@PlayNately]

Ha!

[@ReadThroughTime]

Certified dank. Straight to the point. +1 sub.

[@PlayNately]

Wow! This comment really made my day! Thanks for taking the time to tell me you enjoyed it. Certified dank is exactly what I was going for! - Nate

[@DieterLo1]

Thanks! I play different instruments and started with Mandoline 2 weeks ago. Love if it sounds as good as possible!

[@PlayNately]

I'm so glad you found the mandolin! It's fun and rewarding. I think you will enjoy the journey. Keep me posted on how it goes! - Nate

[@DieterLo1]

@@PlayNately Right, enjoying it and play few simple German Traditional songs and try to become better and better gradually and listen to the advises in KZbin. Try my best to understand and realize it. Greetings from Germany near Airport Frankfurt.

[@williammead9966]

This technique can also be applied to guitar as well. Enjoyed the vid.

[@PlayNately]

That's great to hear! My technique is heavily influenced by Jake Workman, and he's a fantastic guitar player. I think his guitar and mandolin technique are pretty similar. - Nate

[@battlehrfred]

Hi Sir, I like your style of explanation and great information!! great!100-100 , i have a few questions you can possibly give your opinion. (1) i have a LM-520-VS E loar f style mando that i purchased 3 years ago from my local independent music store. i did the reviews check and feel this one fit my price range as a beginner, i have been using GHS LS250 Strings on this mando with, i feel ok success, compared to the originals. i purchased another 2 sets a few days ago and realized i purchased/or was mistakenly given GHS A250 (LIGHT), i noticed that those strings are 10-15-24-36 sizes as the LS 250 was 11,16,26,40,, i am wondering what is the difference and advantages/disadvantages,? what are you thoughts? should i use them on my mando, also what do you think of the tone cage you has installed on your Pava mando ty Sir

[@PlayNately]

🙏 😊 Happy you liked the video! Thanks for reaching out with questions! Here's the breakdown on the strings: - The LS250 strings with have a bolder/louder tone, due to the heavier gauges. They are a silk and steel set, and the silk and steel sound is on the round and slightly muted side. The combo of those makes for a really nice sounding string. - The A250 with be much easier to play, due to the light gauges, but the volume will suffer and the tone will be less fat. They are phosphor bronze, which makes a bold tone. They will not feel as slick as the silk and steel. A good alternative to try out if you like these is the A270. It's a great set. I've been using the Tone-Gard for over 20 years, and to me it's like a part of the mandolin. The difference in resonance is HUGE. I also like how it adds a little weight to the body, which balances out the weight of the mandolin and makes it easier to hold. Plus, in a pinch you could use it as a grill 😂 - Nate

[@battlehrfred]

@@PlayNately . ty Sir for your great indepth knowledge. i will try the A270 and see how it goes and also the tone guard is in the future bucket list ty very much!! keep up the great vids!!

[@TimothySweeney]

how does that apply to tremolo?

[@PlayNately]

Hi Timothy! I use the same technique for tremolo. It makes a nice tone, and it doesn’t require as much effort as other things I’ve tried. And, of course, it makes more volume when I want it. Thanks for watching, Timothy! - Nate

[@TimothySweeney]

@@PlayNately just seems when playing tremolo wide pick would slow it down, short clicks with the pick seems more like it.

[@PlayNately]

@@TimothySweeney haha, counterintuitive, I know! I used to do exactly the opposite, but I found I could play faster and with better tone this way, both with normal picking and tremolo. Sometimes I use narrow strokes to make a quieter and less robust tremolo though. - Nate

[@inthegreen32]

Chris Thile is a genius talent. The rest of us are guessing...

[@PlayNately]

Thile sure is an amazing player! - Nate