The mandolin is traditionally played with a flat pick, other the year many musicians have experimented with different types of picks. Some have used thumb and fingers successfully. The issue with standard finger-picking is the volume of the mandolin. The mandolin is a relatively quiet instrument. The flat pick can overcome some of the physical limits the mandolin permits. Like anything in music, there is no hard and fast rule, and you could get away with playing with your fingers if the room is quiet. If you wanted to play with other musicians, ar accompaniments, then this may become an issue. There may not be enough volume and attack for the notes to be as audible as needed.
Table of Contents
Do you use a pick for a mandolin?
The majority of mandolin players use a pick for playing the mandolin. The standard pick will help produce a better overall sound and help with playability. The mandolin’s dual string tuning can be quite hard on the fingers, and the mandolin’s size will further diminish the volume. The pick or plectrum will help accentuate the sound.
The mandolin is famous for using tremolo techniques where the individual strings are played up and down at speed. The technique uses a pick, and the pick is a part of the sound. It would be challenging to get this sound without a pick.
Do you strum or pick a mandolin?
You can strum or pick a mandolin. The mandolin, like guitar, can be played for melody or chords. The mandolin though is mainly a melody instrument, and many of the techniques are based around this premise. There is one technique called duo-style, where tremolo and chords are played at the same time. This gives a unique sound. A mandolin player called Evan J Marshall uses this technique extensively. Evan has developed this technique through the years and has performed many cover songs by playing the accompaniment and the melody together.
Can you fingerpick a mandolin?
Yes, many mandolin players play with a fingerstyle. They do tend to use the plastic or steel fingerpicks to clarify the sound. As mentioned earlier, the mandolin is a quiet instrument, and fingerpicking without dedicated finger picks may not produce a loud enough sound if performing with other players.
Some mandolin players like to use different combinations of finger picks. Some will use thumb and index finger only while some will use; thumb, index finger and middle finger. This 3 pick combination is similar to standard guitar fingerstyle. Many banjo players also use this finger combination.
Many mandolin players gravitate towards cross-picking, which can produce similar sounds but with more definition and attack. Cross-picking is a flat-picking technique that incorporates a kind of pattern syncopation across 3 strings. Cross-picking is regarded as an intermediate to advanced technique and, many musicians struggle with the difficulty of mastering it.
Are mandolin picks the same as guitar picks?
When it comes to picks or plectrums, the choice is so vast it can almost feel like there is nearly every variation. There are different materials, gauges and shapes, which can ultimately mean there is an infinite amount. The mandolin doesn’t have a dedicated pick, they may be sold as a mandolin picks, but each pick could be used for any stringed instruments, and a lot of the time comes down to the preference of the mandolin player. Thicker picks tend to have more attack and will pronounce each note more clearer. Many mandolin players tend to go for this thicker style. The material can vary. Some will last forever and will not wear, and some will start to warp after a few sessions. Many mandolin players suggest having a sharper tip but with just enough curved edge to use the tremolo technique. These type of picks can easily be used for guitar just as the mandolin. They also could be used for many other types of instrument. I personally use the same guitar pick for guitar and mandolin. Mainly just for ease of use. I already have a large collection of picks, so I will just use which I feel will sound better for the job, whichever makes playing more comfortable.
What gauge pick is best for a mandolin?
A good rule is, the thicker the pick, the harder you have to pluck to get a better tone and the harder you pick, the thicker pick you need. A good starting point would be anything over 0.75mm. 
Anything lower than this may be difficult to drive through both strings with each string being double-coursed. Also, the thinner the pick, the quieter it will be. This may be preferential dependant on the song or location of the performance. Additionally, the gauge of the strings matters a great deal. If you are using a heavy gauge pick but soft or loose strings, the mandolin’s playability may be affected and the tone. The clarity of using a heavier pick will also not cut through. Using a heavy pick sometimes will add to the twangy nature of the mandolin. You may hear the plastic on the strings quite prominently, which may not be what you want to hear. The only way to find the sweet spot between sound and playability is to try as many of them as possible and give each pick a chance. Sometimes it takes a bit of time getting used to the rigidity of a pick. Also shifting your playing to the characteristics of the pick to find a good balance. Another reason the mandolin requires thicker and denser picks are that the strings are under higher tension. The pick has to be thicker to move the strings under this tension. If you are using a lighter pick, as you hit down on the string the note will play but the pick will have bent and made it difficult to catch a good solid note on the upstroke.
Conclusion
Picks and plectrums can be used across multiple instruments. The mandolins shape, size and overall tone demands a thicker pick with rigidity to its structure. The sharper tip will allow picking strings with precision, and the curved edge of the tip will allow playing with the tremolo technique without it catching. The material is chosen on durability, preference and cost. If you would like a pick that could last you a long time you can find pick made from heavy-duty materials such as acrylic. The choice of the pick for the mandolin relies heavily on playability.
