Plectrual Infidelity

Subject: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 04:42 PM

I was sorting through my plectrums today (mostly recycled strips of high-strength packaging tape, versions of the "risha" or "mizrap" used in Middle Eastern music) and realized - I've got a heck of a lot of these.

There are some people who find the right plectrum for them and stay with it forever. For me, I just don't find one is enough for all my needs. In fact I seem to be a plectrum slut. It isn't just that my relationship with plectrums was formed by cultures where polyplectrymy is traditional - I was in a bluegrass session a couple of weeks ago sitting next to one of Scotland's best-known mandolin players, and saw that he has just as many as me, though all of the Western type (and all snuggling up cosily together).

Does this bother the monoplectrual types on Mudcat? Do you boycott performers who practice polyplectrymy?

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 04:44 PM

:-) - Perverts all!

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Acorn4
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 05:23 PM

The problem is my plectrums don't understand me!

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 05:50 PM

Ron Thomason (Dry Branch Fire Squad) tells a story about ordering an instruction book for wannabe mandolin plays and being transfixed by the opening sentence, "grasp plectrum firmly between thumb and forefinger."

I guess you had to be there.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 06:18 PM

I use old credit cards, mostly for my Autoharp - the other ones are too small for my clumsy fingers to hold onto. I'm thinking of moving up from a Gold Card to a Platinum Card. Will it improve my playing?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Tangledwood
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 06:40 PM

I'm thinking of moving up from a Gold Card to a Platinum Card. Will it improve my playing?

Maybe not, but it could boost the level of interest and you'll get credit for trying.

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 06:57 PM

And why have we never seen this autoharp at the Getaway, Joe?

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 07:06 PM

...because you wouldn't want to hear it.

-Joe, who plays only for himself-

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 07:30 PM

If you play without a plectrum will you grow hairs on the palms of your hands?

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: melodeonboy
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 07:37 PM

Call me old-fashioned, but I remain faithful to my 73mm ones. (No rude comments, please!)

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Jayto
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 07:40 PM

I lose them too fast and always just grab whatever is in my pocket which whatever I find laying around. Thumbpicks though I am monoplectural I hate all but mine.

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: JennieG
Date: 26 Jun 09 - 09:07 PM

Guest Russ, the firmness of the grip is most important, you wouldn't want it slipping out of your grasp - would you?

We won't say anything about the depth of soundholes......

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Jayto
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 12:43 AM

Good one JennieG

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 12:52 AM

hmmm... this is an interesting adult conversation..

On the understanding this is a discrete meeting place
where no wives will ever know...



I've been extraordiarily faithfull to my favourite plectrums;
some for 20 or 30 years..

but am ashamed to say,


uncontrolably promiscuous with guitars,

and the mando family of instruments...

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: open mike
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 01:10 AM

do not open this page if you are bothered by seeing naked picks

i like a pick with "grip"
some favorites include ones
i call "mud and snow" ones
with a good tread or texture.

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 02:23 AM

These are a bit scary: plectra dentata

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: eddie1
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 02:59 AM

These are the type used by Jimi Hendrix.

Eddie

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: doc.tom
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 07:25 AM

O.K. - I confess - I stick with Gibson Ts for the mandolin and Jim Donlop nylons for an accompanying sound on the mandola!

But, as this thread will obviously attract plectraddicts, where O where can I get a left-handed thumb pick for using on the Harpeleik?

TomB

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 08:21 AM

Hey, no FAIR, Joe!

I used to sing only for myself, and y'all dragged ME out of the closet!

Bring the damn thing with you next time. You can do like some of us do, and only play the things we're unsure of quietly in the woods : )

Dani (who admits to checking this thread only because she doesn't know what a plectrum is and wanted to learn about one more way of sinning in this world ; )

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Rumncoke
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 10:48 AM

I picked up the red plectrum I use from the carpet of the White Swan next to the Theatre Royal in Portsmouth. No one claimed it, so I put it into my bits bag with my capo.

That was about 35 years ago, maybe more.

When I lost my original plectrum - it was 'tortoise shell' and fell onto a brown patterned carpet somewhere in another, I started to use the red one.

Oddly enough the timing of plectrum use fits almost exactly with my two marriages.

Anne Croucher

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: jeddy
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 10:50 AM

hey jack those are the ones i like!!   you get volume control with those, if you want it quiet you use the small skicky out bit and if you need a bit of welly you use the proper bit

gotta go

jade x x

Subject: RE: Plectrual Infidelity
From: Janie
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 06:40 PM

Joe,

Suggest you bring only the platinum card plectrum to the Getaway where your three lovelies will await you.