Tremolo on the Mandolin

Tremolo Playing on the Mandolin

Let's talk a little bit about tremolo playing with the mandolin. Tremolo is the mandolin's way of sustaining a note over a longer period.

Why Tremolo is Ideal for Mandolin

The mandolin is particularly well-suited for this technique due to its double chorus of strings. With pairs for each note (G, D, A, E), tremolo sounds even better on this instrument. While you can play tremolo on single-string instruments like the acoustic guitar, the mandolin truly excels in this area.

How to Practice Tremolo

Here's a simple way to practice:

• Choose an open string. For example, let's take the D string.
• Play back and forth slowly at first.
  • Keep your wrist loose.
  • Gradually build up speed.
  • Aim for a smooth, unbroken sound.

You can hear how this technique creates the illusion of rolling a note or sustaining it.

The Importance of Tremolo in Bluegrass

This aspect of playing, especially in contemporary bluegrass mandolin styles, has somewhat dropped out of practice. However, it's something I really appreciate about the mandolin.

Influential Tremolo Players

Some notable tremolo players include:

• Bill Monroe ? A great tremolo player.
• Frank Wakefield ? Contemporary influences.
• David Grisman ? Known for his expressive use of tremolo; it's one of my favorite parts of his playing.

Tips for Practicing

• Start off slow and work up to speed.
• Keep your playing even.
• Maintain a loose wrist throughout your practice.

You may also want to practice this as an exercise across all the open strings. Happy practicing!