Pure Fire

While the beginning and end of a phrase can always be more clearly defined when the tremolo is used, yet it is possible to indicate slurs on guitar and mandolin with the down and up strokes. This method is best adapted to the two note slur, and requires a slight accent on the first of the two notes (down stroke), while the last note of mandolin slur is made with a very light up stroke. This up stroke must be perceptibly weaker than the down stroke and the desired effect will be better obtained if but one of the pair of strings is touched. This method of slurring or obtaining the slurred effect is occasionally met with particularly mandolin music, but its use and effectiveness are somewhat limited. Those studies should be carefully practiced, however, so that the effect may be used whenever there is an opportunity.