I have been playing mandolin for a few years now (self taught). My main instrument was the whistle, but I have been playing the mando more because you can practice after the kids are in bed. I have got reasonable I suppose except for one thing: my little finger and that top B.
When I am playing my little finger seems to want to tuck itself back, so when that top B comes in it has to make a quick stab from some distance and misses quite a bit of the time. Because the frets are so close the target area is quite small.
I have got big hands, so reaching is not a problem. I play the guitar and using that finger has never been a problem. I guess it may be something to do with the angle of my left hand, but I have tried all ways without much joy.
Okewhistle,
I’ve seen this type of problem with some of my students. It seems to be caused by the notion that the strings are harder to fret than is actually the case. Some folks tend to pull back their unused fingers, move their thumb toward the nut and use arm movement as a way of leveraging more finger pressure on the fretboard. If your hand position is correct this is never necessary.
Whatever the reason, the way to correct the situation is to slow down your playing and watch your left hand to make sure that your pinky is in place above the fingerboard with your other fingers. Play scales and easier pieces that utilize all of your fingers but always play slowly enough so that keeping your pinky in position is not a problem and watch what you are doing to make sure that you don’t subconsciously revert to your problem. Its an easy fix (to say) but breaking the bad habit will require some concentration and tenacity. Good luck with it - I hope this helps. Kevin
Yeah, what he said.
Make sure that the action on your mandolin is set low enough to make fretting easy. Devise some easy exercises to work that B note. For example, anchor your position by fingering A with your ring finger then slowly and repeatedly play Bb,B,Bb,B etc. You’ll get it eventually.
Hey KBR (potassium bromide?? )-- we’re practically neighbors-- I live down in Cohoes. Do you play at sessions around here? Tried the Fiddler’s Tour?
Okewhistle/Paul,
I usually use that exercise you (Paul) describe to help with stretching fingers to higher notes…another thing to consider is the attitude of your hand. When you move your left elbow toward your body and use your thumb as a pivot point, it moves your pinky closer to the fretboard which helps with the stretch…
Yes, we are practically neighbors. You can catch me most Wednesday evenings playing at the Saratoga Springs Pan Celtic session…tomorrow night at the Parting Glass, 7 - 11. Its a very friendly session and all are welcome. I haven’t checked out any sessions around Albany yet but probably should…maybe when the weather gets better. I’m the guy usually playing the BanTar. Maybe I’ll get to meet you at some point. kbr
)-- we’re practically neighbors-- I live down in Cohoes. Do you play at sessions around here? Tried the Fiddler’s Tour?
Maybe I’ll get to meet you at some point. kbr 