Tech: mandolin fingering problem

Subject: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 11:55 AM

My fingers are too thick for me to hold adjacent strings at the same fret, so I use my 3rd finger to do partial barres. I use that finger for the A-shape barre on guitar a lot, and it's okay, but on mandolin it gets really severely sore after a while, bending back, doing mostly double-stop barres on the top two courses.

   Anyone have this sort of trouble? Can you work out the fine fingerings and get better? Seems impossible for me, just yet.

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: GUEST,Baillie
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 12:16 PM

...Wouldn't you be better off doing barres with your first finger which is usually stronger anyway? and take heart, I've known some brilliant mandolinists who had fingers like Cumberland Sausages!
...practice makes perfect!

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: Fingerbuster
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 12:20 PM

I have the same problems with (fat)fingerings, unfortunately it seems you either have to suffer it or buy a mandola.

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: Wesley S
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 01:23 PM

Fred - I may be reading your problem incorrectly. But what I would suggest is barre the frets with your first finger and go up two more frets and play a G chord using your pinkie on the highest string { three frets up from your first finger } and the ring finger on the second fret of the A string. Assuming you are tuned to EADG high to low. Have I confused you compleatly?

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: GUEST,Les in Manchester
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 01:49 PM

Why not try a Mandola anyway? I bought a Vintage Mandola from Hobgoblin and I haven't so much fun since granny brought the badger home

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: Wesley S
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 02:11 PM

I love the sound of a good mandola myself. But from what I can see if you plan to play with other folks a lot it will be easier to play in similar keys with a mandolin. Just my opinion of course. That doesn't mean I don't plan to get a mandola someday. I already have 2 mandolins and an octave mandolin.

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: Bernard
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 03:51 PM

Your fingers aren't too thick - mine are like a pound of pork sausages, yet I manage fine. The mistake most people make is to play with the fingers at the wrong angle...

Your fingernail should run as parallel to the edge of the fingerboard as you can, and NOT parallel to the fret as I see many people do. You will also find you can stretch further this way - after practice!!

Subject: RE: Tech: mandolin fingering problem
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 08:07 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I do normal barres with the 1rst, but if i'm doing a Am7, I do low to high A E with the 1rst then C G with my third finger double-stopping those top two. I'm going to try adjusting my hand position again, but can't seem to work it. Ouch.