Holding the Pick

...and right-hand technique in general

I've mentioned a few times that I took three months of guitar lessons two years ago, and what a rewarding experience it was. I still work on the basics that he had me drill in. But there was one thing he told me repeatedly that I never "got."

I held my pick with my thumb on one side and two fingers on the other (the index and the middle.) He said that was just plain wrong - and I've also heard that in other places. But it's habit and it basically works for me - though I know my picking technique is a weak spot, so why not try to do it right?

Anyway, he wanted me to hold the pick between my thumb and my curled index finger. I tried, and it never felt remotely comfortable - so when I stopped the lessons, I reverted to my old form.

Fast-forwarding to last week, I saw a set of YouTube mandolin basics lessons spoken highly of. I took a look, and one of the lessons was right-hand technique. She said the same things my guitar teacher said, and when I tried it, it actually felt good. I guess something just didn't click two years ago, but I think I get it now.

I'm trying to hold the pick this way exclusively, both on mandolin and guitar. The old/wrong way of holding it is a deeply ingrained habit, but I'm trying to play scales and finger exercises on both instruments every day, in the hope of burning in a new habit.

A New Mandolin

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was interested in upgrading to a better-quality mandolin. Well, things came together as I hoped they would, and I now have a Kentucky KM-150 mandolin (stock picture at right.)

First things first, I sold my Ibanez mandolin on Craigslist. As that was happening, I was reading the forums at Mandolin Cafe for advice on a decent quality budget mandolin. I say "budget" because I learned that high-quality mandolins are more expensive than high-quality acoustic guitars. In an ideal world, I'd love to get a really nice mandolin, but in this non-ideal world, it doesn't make sense to spend too much on an instrument I like - but that will always be secondary to the guitar.

Anyway, a number of posts about good budget instruments talked about the Kentucky "A" models ("A" referring to the teardrop shape.) A number of posts also highly recommended The Mandolin Store. Looking at their website, I liked that their instruments came with a hard case and a setup. The setup is essential - I don't know where I'd find a mandolin tech, and I'd rather not have to try to find one. I want an instrument that's properly set up from the beginning.

Making a long story short, I phoned The Mandolin Store as soon as I had the cash in hand from selling the old one. I was prepared to go a model or two higher on the Kentucky lineup, but the guy I talked to said the entry-level KM-150 was the better instrument. Better and cheaper is a combination that works for me. A few days later, USPS brought it to my door.

The short review is I love it. Granted, I don't have much to compare it to, but it feels better, plays better, and sounds better than the Ibanez. It's in my hands as often as possible. So now there's the small matter of getting better at playing it.