Being a guitar player has advantages and disadvantages when you decide to learn mando.
The Mike Marshall video on mando essentials has been a huge help. I watch it almost weekly just to remind myself of how it's done.
The toughest part of the video is about how to hold the pick. It looks like he uses his thumb and forefinger only, with his thumb pointed toward the headstock, his forefinger curled back toward the bridge, and the other three fingers curled back toward the bridge, too. He's sort of making a loose fist.
Guitar picks are held with the thumb and first two fingers, sort of like holding a pencil, with the forefinger pointed more or less at the fretboard.
Mike also seems to hold the pick more loosely than a guitar pick is held.
Anyhow, I can't seem to get the hang of it. It's not just awkward. It feels out-of-control, unstable, imprecise. And with such close-together strings, I want more accuracy, not less.
I'll keep working at it, of course, but if you have any suggestions beyond "Hang in there, man!" I'd love to read 'em.
Thanks!
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