Left hand technique/Posture - My left thumb and my mandolin strap
So when I was looking to buy my mandolin, I took the advice of Baron Collins-Hill over at MandoLessons.Com and made sure I also got a mandolin strap. And I use my strap all the time while playing, even going so far as to leave the strap on the mandolin, even while it is it its case.
Now I didn't buy the recommended D'Addario Leather Mandolin Strap. Instead, I made my own genuine Redneck Engineering mandolin strap out of two 72" rawhide bootlaces that I wove together.
When I play my mandolin I have the neck at roughly a 45 degree angle, with my right forearm on the arm rest and the Tone-Gard keeping the back off of my tummy.
I keep my thumb on the back of the neck, roughly behind the 5th fret. And there's the thing, I press with my thumb until the mandolin is pulling away from my body, to the point where my strap is taught and pulling the mandolin back to me.
I find that with the mandolin thus suspended I can run scales quickly and cleanly and produce good tone. It also keeps my left wrist straight because no other part of my left hand is necessary to support the mandolin neck.
Does anyone else play this way?
Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)
And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.
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