"He is just "Strumming", not playing the instrument."

Where would music be without strumming? You know what I hate the most-- is those assholes that are constantly trying to show off their little licks. They tend to have no creative abilities and are just a pain to try to play with. A mandolin (as any string instrument) sounds good strummed: it also sounds good played other ways. I have learned an array of picking styles on several instruments, but sometime I just like to strum some chords. I am secure enough as a musician to do so, and I guess Paul is too. Stop your bitching :)