I wonder if he ever really got over it?

I don't play the mandolin but the guitar, but this is equally applicable to guitar playing in my book, at least regarding relaxation and loose pick grip. I also experience a better tone with more treble with a loose grip thanks to the increased friction against the string.

He's got an instructional DVD he made when he was like 14 and it's also amazingly helpful haha

This really helped me master the leg-placement component of my pick grip.

Great point, and thank you for that clarification.

😂

I did that today

I do every time I roll back on to my stomach

Lol it ain't hard do let me tell you

Literally

Judging by the acoustics, it’s definitely real

Doesn't sound like your little finger is that unusual. Everyone has moments where they think there is something wrong with their hands that will prevent them from playing, but unless you have a major deformity it's usually not true. Practice using your little finger as much as you comfortably can, and practice stretching. Learn a four finger G chord and then go up the neck where the frets get closer together until you find a spot where you can achieve the chord comfortably. Gradually work your way down the neck over time, so that you are increasingly stretching your fingers as the frets get farther apart. Combine this with four finger scales,up the neck at first, then work your way down. Over time two things will happen, your handspan will increase, and you will learn wrist/hand angles that better allow you to reach farther on the fretboard. There is no shortcut for this, and it can't be rushed. It can only be achieved through dedicated practice and patience. Hope that helps.

marbelizer1 LOL so true...but that buckle rash will someday part of what made it “Thile’s Loar”, sort of like Monroe’s with the carved out Gibson inlay and other examples of his possession. I guess when he’s so unlikely to ever part with that instrument buckle rash just makes it his own. But man the smallest nick in my instruments makes me crazy...

He's using a ToneGuard on the back of the instrument so I would suggest that the buckle would not get to harm it.

He's very much so. Takes time getting used to at least for me.

This is an old comment and I don't know where you are in your musical journey, but I would advise you to look up Sierra Hull and Johnny Hiland. Sierra has very small, thin hands, whereas Johnny has massive meaty paws. Both would seemingly put a player at a disadvantage, but both are masters of their instruments. As a music instructor, I can tell you that hand anatomy is often cited as a concern by most players starting out. In reality, unless you have a major deformity, your hands aren't likely to limit your potential in music.

@@bobthabuilda1525 And even you one does have a major deformity, people like Django show how that can be incorporated into a unique style of playing.

@@TheRamsberg Very good point. Django has always been a favorite of mine, and his mastery of the guitar was so complete that I honestly forget that he didn't have a fully functional left hand.

i could help you there

True, but if there's gold in an area it's worth the dig. Gotta put in some effort for this free gold we have here. That effort is is simply listening and being patient.

A tiny bit more patience and you probably would have made it through the video just fine with some basic but very good information that isn't always easy to convey.

I mean this in a good way, but if you can’t focus on something for even 4 minutes, then maybe you and Chris both share some sidetrack issues... :) I have ADHD but this guy’s lesson was worth the 3 times I had to watch it. (My fault, not his..l) I now keep the link and review often. Give it a go. The guy is a genius and although he loses track a tad at the 3 min part, he gets right back in it by 5:00. It’s not often we get a free lesson from a guy like this :)

No. But your brain is😊

+Lars Hanssen maybe ear plugs would protect you?

Lars Hanssen I’m pretty sure there was some honest play wear before he got his mitts on it.

Hey just like with the pick-hand you gotta relax, go easy on yourself. Everyone sucks when they start, but you'll get better

Hey the best musicians were always pretty high or drunk I've played my best music on drugs and alcohol (LSD had the coolest and craziest effect on my music back when I did things like that) and alcohol made me good at singing the blues and folk I can belt out my notes in just a different way, now I just smoke weed and it just makes music sound more full I hear a shit load of over and under tones I used to not notice as much before I started smoking weed and when ever I stopped I couldn't hear em' and it definitely effects the way I play when I improvise.

cool story bro

kungfuasgaeilge then he must have ALWAYS had a few lol this is normal Chris to me.

But does your audience hear the same thing you're hearing? We've all been to a bar where a drunk want's to get onstage and play. Doesn't mean they can when they're fucked up. Not being critical but that's how your mind processes things under the influence. Been there done that.

I can't speak for people with that IQ level, but somehow I don't think that's true. When you are that intelligent you tend to notice things other people don't. Even the simplest things are, in reality, filled with rich complexity. I don't consider myself as particularly "smart," but I am naturally very curious and that is something that I notice about the world. Very little is actually boring.

Thile has a Tonegard fitted which stops direct contact.

What did he say?

I would like to know that as well. Plenty of people complaining about his attitude but I'm not really seeing this issue.

Ian Huffer - huh? Not reading any arrogance in his demeanour or lesson at all. Some eccentricity and definite nerves - and attempts at humor to overcome them, but he seems v down-to-earth here and in all other videos I’ve seen him in...

@@Shelsight I don't know what I saw in his demeanor three years ago, but I don't see it now. Him being a bit uncomfortable seems more likely now that you mention it- I definitely confused the two. Love his stuff, and he's definitely a down to earth dude

You don't need a long thumb. People of all hand sizes have become accomplished musicians.

And you had to complain. Didn't help anything. Get over yourself 😊