I've been playing guitar ... bass ... ukulele ... steady for 5 years now ... longer off and on playing ... When it comes to the mandolin I am having trouble and it is blowing my mind! I've been playing it off and on for years now. I can get clear notes when playing other instruments, but I CAN'T get a clear notes with the mandolin! ...
The frets are shorter than the guitar ... and bass ... about the same on the ukulele ... but on the mandolin everything sound plucky.
The F chord on the mandolin is the same shape as the C chord on guitar ... I have no problem getting a clear sound on the guitar .... but on the mando ... it's impossible!!!! All plucky!!! WHY? What am I doing wrong?
It doesn't make any sense to me. I just don't get it!
I am also a beginner and I think for me it was the tension on the strings and the pressure you need to press down the strings, but I have strong hands so it was not really a problem for me for long.
Juan Solo
I'm just an old woman in comfortable shoes ... I find I need to press harder with the mando and my hand gets tired and sore.
Right now I'm just practicing with on or two fingers ... I can get clear sounds mostly doing that.
You may need to arch your wrist a litte bit more, use the tips of your fingers and fret as close to the fret as possible. This may help you with clean, clearer notes/chords.
As an aiside: I still occasionally have a problem making full chords and can often get that clunky sound. In a jam/band situation, playing backup, it probably won't be noticed.
To quote one of the contributors on Mandolin Cafe...
"Its like playing a cheese slicer."
I am limited to two finger chords and can only make 4 of those.
I have been tinkering with nylon string mandolins for several years.
Its like trying to get good sound from spider webs.
Try lowering your action; you will need less pressure to note.
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