Thile Tone

[mandomaniac]

Opinions on this? I like his tone and phrasing, I grew up listening to much thicker, robust sounding guys like Sam Bush and David Grisman. His tone seems to be cleaner and more defined than most.

[Thilefan]

Right on! Thats exactly why I like him so much! He's completely in control of all his music...he lives it. To me, somebody like that is the best there is. I try not to sound like good ol' Bill and more like Chris, but its hard. I guess because I know how much time he spends getting his music perfecto, I have a lot of respect for Chris. I haven't ever heard him error in his solos either, have you? One time, I heard him take somebody's solo accidently thought (Lol). He is a refined musician...the world needs more mandolinists like him.

Robin

[mandomaniac]

I agree. For years I was locked that thick, rich Dawg tone but I like Thile's tone because it's (to me) original and more inventive. His whole pick holding theory has sort of got me in a bind, though. He uses those big triangle picks, holding the face of the pick against the curled-under middle portion of his index finger. For years I've used the three fingered approach (thumb, index, middle) using the thumb as a pivot to move the pick at an angle to the strings for a meatier tremolo.
Mandos rule!

[Thilefan]

I hold my pick the same way you do, and funny, when I was talking to him last year, I asked him about his pick...then he gave me one...its pretty hard to use (and get his tone!). So I'm still trying to figure out how he does it.

Pickin' Rules

--R

[NickelCreekFan1]

i hold my pick the same way! ive been trying to hold it like him but im too used to how my father hold his guitar pick..lol i guess its heriditary! j/k

[mandomaniac]

whatever method you choose is just what you should run with. Been trying his method but it's hard to do when you use Dawg-style picks (the kind I use). I'm pretty picky about plectrums so I make my own.

[roswellalien475]

i used to hold my mandolin pick like a guitar pick, but found when playing really long songs my fingers would start to hurt, so one of my dad's friends who plays showed me how to hold it without getting a cramp in my fingers.

[Thilefan]

I don't know how he gets the tone and ease of playing even on his mandolin...I've personally played his mandolin with one of his picks and sounded like heck! At that point, I found that it wasn't the mandolin that gave him the Thile sound...its all the way he holds his pick I think...

Robin

[mandomaniac]

I think that every player develops their own way of playing the instrument, If you were to give ten guys (or gals) the same setup (picks, strings, instrument, everything) you'd hear ten different tones.

[mandolinlove]

i'm new to this conversotion but i have a solution for all. JAZZ PICS
i started using them last year and have found that i play with much more ease and control than with other pics i have used

[Thilefan]

Where do you purchase such a thing???
R

:confused:

[bugamile]

I just have to share my recent experiences with someone who might appreciate them!!! (This new forum is a little confusing to me. It's limiting at least . . . but, oh well.) First, let me tell you about last night! I got to see Chris play with Bela Fleck, a two man show, in my home city, Charleston, WV. It will be aired as part of the Mountain Stage program on Public Radio International. It was unbelievable! Breathtaking! They played a few classical pieces from Bela's new CD and Chris played two selections from his CD: Riddles In The Dark, a duet with Bela who Co-wrote it. Chris mentioned that it is based on the Hobbet's dangerous bout with the Riddles. And, Chris did Laurie Luna as a solo. He mentioned that it was based on musical inspiration from a Bela Fleck song from Tales From An Accoustic Planet, and life experience from France. While in Paris, Chris said, he met a girl who came to be the first he ever bought flowers for. It is one thing to listen to Chris play mandolin. It's another thing entirely to experience it live. To see him feel the music and express himself through his body language and expressions along with the music is Sumum Bonum (the ultimate).
After the show I got to talk with him for a while. He remembered me from concerts past! I've seen them five times now, and I always stay after to see them afterwards. I have just about everything refrenced to N.C. autographed, so, this time I just got a pic with him. I get nervous talking to such a musical GOD! But, I played it cool and I was really happy about it.
Here comes the embarasing part. . . My brother had flown up to New York City for the weekend, so, I had to go to the airport to go pick him up this morning. As I was leaving the airport I saw Chris hefting his luggage out of a cab. He was all by himself, wearing the same hat he had worn at the concert. I said, Oh my God! There is Chris! So, like an idiot I yelled out, Hey Chris!!! And, he looked around to see who was being the retard. He was polite of course and said, Hey man! and waved. I think he recognized me a little. But, I'm sure he didn't feel enriched by the experience and I felt like a fool!
So, there you have it. My awesome Sunday night, Monday morning experiences. Good thing is I get to see the whole Creek band on March 2nd. Maybe I can make amends? We'll see . . .