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Thread: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

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    Default "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    I was browsing the Red Bear website and saw what is described as "Classical Mandolin Plectrums in the Embergher-Ranieri style. These plectrums are approximately 3.25mm thick, 17.5mm wide and 67mm long." They are quite different from the standard triangular picks I am accustomed to in that they are like an elongated oval. Has anyone used a pick such as this? Do they have advantages over a standard shaped pick?

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    These are the "Roman" style picks...I've tried them, they are supposed to have a good balance and help with certain picking, but I find them large and awkward and prefer the Neapolitan picks.

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    Registered User tkdboyd's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Got a Red Bear yesterday. It will take some time to get used to, get proper technique down, etc...

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    mando-evangelist August Watters's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Like anything else, it helps to see and hear people using it to fully comprehend the possibilities. Too late for me to change horses, but for those who have gone this way, breathtaking!

    Last edited by August Watters; Jan-31-2015 at 8:53am.
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Quote Originally Posted by tkdboyd View Post
    Got a Red Bear yesterday. It will take some time to get used to, get proper technique down, etc...
    Is it the style I referenced?

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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Quote Originally Posted by August Watters View Post
    Like anything else, it helps to see and hear people using it to fully comprehend the possibilities. Too late for me to change horses, but for those who have gone this way, breathtaking!
    Interesting. So you hold it across the narrow axis. I was thinking you held it across the long axis along the length of your curled index finger.

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    If you search the forum there are a few threads on those long plectra.

    The players in August Watters's video are quite good, but I don't think there is anything in the playing that cannot be done with a standard Neapolitan pick.

    Just to let you know, I have played a variety of other instruments like oud, tar, tambur, etc. that use specific picks that are not like normal mandolin-guitar picks, so I am open to other types of picks - I just have not gotten to where the Roman pick offers me any advantages.

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    mando-evangelist August Watters's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    I just have not gotten to where the Roman pick offers me any advantages.
    And probably none of us will -- without studying that tradition.
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    MandolaViola bratsche's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Here is an interesting old thread, if you haven't already found it:

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...lectrum-choice

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Here is my Red Bear. I have had it for while and put it to good use. It took a while to get used to, especially the tremolo, and I still don't think I am doing it right, but I can get a nice sound with it.
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    Registered User zedmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Years ago in a pawn shop I bought an assortment of picks-I found some picks with sayings on them, some triangle picks with the sharkfin style bumps on them, and a couple of long pointy ones.
    I didn't know what they were, but bought them because they were unusual--they were Herdim picks.
    I still have them, and I tried them out on my new mando purchase--but didn't like them too much, they felt odd--I have found I prefer the regular pick shapes--maybe with a sharper tip.
    But then I've only been playing for a week, so I will keep experimenting, but for now I'm mostly using a horn pick.
    Would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Quote Originally Posted by August Watters View Post
    And probably none of us will -- without studying that tradition.
    Yes, perhaps if I had an instructor of the Roman school, I may learn why they use them - but many other classical players don't use them either - think of the shape of the Pettine picks, for example.

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    Registered User tkdboyd's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Classical Mandolin Plectrums"

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    Here is my Red Bear. I have had it for while and put it to good use. It took a while to get used to, especially the tremolo, and I still don't think I am doing it right, but I can get a nice sound with it.
    This is the one I recently purchased and do like the sound I am getting from it, but I attribute it to Red Bear properties than its shape. This is my first Red Bear purchase, and I am impressed with them.

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