Learning mandolin chords

Subject: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST,Mary V.
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 04:17 PM

I bought a mandolin and I'm learning to pick the melody and
could anyone share their learning experiences as far as....
Did you learn the chords first ?
Or picking the melody ?
I don't really want to take lessons right now
because of a time issue to fit lesson in.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Alex.S
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 04:49 PM

I too just picked up the mandolin. I think your initial experience with it depends to a large extent on your musical background. I am a fiddler, so I had little trouble with the fingerings, but using a pick has humbled me, so that's what I've been woring on.I still have to work on picking out tunes (but more for pick control than for fingerings), and I've been learning a few chords simultaneously. Work on both a little bit, and no harm is done. Chords seem easier to me, so I spend less time with them. Another issue to consider is your goal as a mandolinist: are you going to play the lead in a bluegrass band, or do you want to be able to accompany yourself singng? For the former, concentrate on picking, but obviously you'll want to play chords if oyu intend to sing along!

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 04:59 PM

Both at once. Learn your scales, starting with G, D, A, and C. Practice `em. Get a chord book to start with, but learn the notes that make up the chords and work out several variations. If you're going to play bluegrass, learn the full stopped versions (fretting all strings) so you can do chop chords.

Above all, have fun with it. It's a great instrument.

And check out mandolincafe.com.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST,Mary V.
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 05:52 PM

Thanks for the good suggestions. I did buy one of those how to play videos and it has helped me alot. I play guitar a lot so the mandolin doesn't really seem that difficult.
I would like to learn the chords as I sing , but the melody is so fun to pick that it would be really nice to concentrate and learn both.
Thanks again....

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 06:35 PM

Same here I learnt chords and tunes as I went along. I found one of the best chord book's around (and there are many) is an Alfred handy guide, the thin one's that fit's in your back pocket. As far as tunes are concerned, any of Simon Mayor's material is spot on, and I think he has a video out. But and just have fun with it

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: open mike
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 12:40 AM

i like playing the melodies from fiddle tunes...
old timey and irish....this gives my left hand a work out!

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: moocowpoo
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 02:33 AM

I was told a good piece of advice years ago: "Learn everything" If you learn as many possibilities as you can on your instrument, the more comfortable you'll feel with it,, no awkward silences.
An example of this is with picking direction, down up down for jigs down up with reels and making patterns up as well. Practicing direction changes will also give you more of a range of chord-strumming patterns...mandolin is a great li'l instrument!
mookowphoo.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 08:20 AM

Mary, it was around 35 years after I first tried putting aside my guitar for a mando before someone pointed out this simple truth to me: the guitar goes E A G G [B E], while the mando goes G D A E, so all you need to do is flip over the fingering of the bottom four strings to convert from guitar chords to mando chords. It's actually easier said than done, but it certainly speeds up the learning process.

Don't forget to check out the Mandolin Cafe for everything you need to know, including chords "up the neck" -- once you can play reasonably including open strings, start playing in those awful "pianist's" keys like B-flat, E-flat and so on. You'll enjoy feeling smug when you make those guitarists reach for their capos!

Steve

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 09:25 AM

Simon Mayor's CD and book set is excellent. I even listen to the CD in the car - his voice is so friendly and the tunes are great even without the book.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: UB Ed
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 10:35 AM

I just bought a mandolin as well and am learning the scales and chords. I am more concerned however, about developing the "proper" technique for holding and picking. Apparently the left hand and wrist should not be touching the instrument and be parallel to the strings?

Ed

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 02:37 PM

I will just repeat what has already been said. Picking tunes is fairly straight forward ONCE you know which tunes you want to pick, but the chords are always useful as well for when someonwe else is playing the melody and you are accompanying. Whatever, enjoy it and have fun.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 05:09 PM

Ha ha. Thanks for bringing up a pleasant memory, UB Ed.

I remember sharing a few beers in a pub in Goderich, Ont a few years ago with Simon Mayor and Hilary James and Simon relating stories of mando-snobs attacking him for not keeping his right wrist straight (you meant right, didn't you, UB Ed?). Apparently there was one rather vocal classical mandolinist of fascist mindset who drilled this approach into his disciples. Simon would bump up against them frequently and began to recognize the expression on their faces and had them made before they opened their mouths. They called him names like "bent-wrist bastard" and such.

His own attitude was "whatever works for you". But a good tremolo technique originates from the elbow; it's less tiring and more consistent that way.

I also highly recommend Simon Mayor's teaching books and cassettes. An excellent approach, whether you want to play Celtic, Bluegrass, or even Classical. He's a master of all.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: UB Ed
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 06:02 PM

Yes right, the other left.

Great links!

Thanks Cluin.

Ed

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 02:51 PM

As Cluin says, G & D are great to start with- and a capo is frowned upon but very helpful to begin with! Sessions it can be quite difficult to hear the mando, which in my case was an advantage...Good luck

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST,Gato
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 07:39 PM

I too recently got a mandolin...must be something in the air! I play the guitar so the last thing I expected was how sore this innocent looking instrument makes my fingerpads! Anyone else find this?
Guess I need thicker skin.
Gato.

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: moocowpoo
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 12:02 AM

After a while you'll find you've got very little sensitivity in your fingertips!, I can't SEE my calluses but they're super chunky.
So don't despair the thick skin will soon be there!

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Alex.S
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 12:29 AM

Gato, I come from fiddleland where the strings are smoothe and loose and one doesn't get or need calluses...Imagine my pain! I find the worst to be the index finger when I play a Dmin chord-- I just can't bear it for very long. I suppose I should toughen up in a week or so, but an unpleasant week it undoubtedly will be!

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 04:23 AM

You should take up the banjo -- you develop a thick skin very quickly!

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: DaveP
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 08:53 AM

If you want ot get tunes together for mandolin the ABC format is useful.

Some ABC's have chords as well!

Look for a a great piece of software called ABCplay2.EXE written by a guy in New Zealand. The software allows you to play ABC files and select tunes you like.

Then turn the tunes into TAB (if you are a non music reader like me).

I've written an ABC to TAB converter if anyone want to try it.

Then play till your fingers get sore!

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 09:27 AM

Or if you want to go straight from the dots to tab (or vice-versa), try TablEdit. (Sorry Dave!)

Subject: RE: Learning mandolin chords
From: GUEST,Gato
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 06:16 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.
Gato