The mandolin is used in several musical genres, including bluegrass, classical music and folk music. Playing the mandolin is not a particularly difficult task, but you will need a lot of practice to master it. After you have everything prepared and familiarized with the instrument, you will need to learn some common chords and practice some notes.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare
Step 1. Buy the right mandolin
The mandolin is a centuries-old instrument, and several types of mandolin have developed over time. Choose the one that best suits your tastes.
- There are three main types of mandolin: Neapolitan, A and F.
- Neapolitan mandolins are mostly used in classical music.
- A mandolins are used in bluegrass, traditional Irish music, classical and rock music.
- F-shaped mandolins are used in bluegrass. As these are quite expensive and ornate, they are less practical for beginners.
Step 2. Find a pick that is comfortable for you
The only real way to find the right pick is to experiment with different sized picks until you find the one that's right for you.
In general, the picks commonly used to play the mandolin are of thin or medium thickness. However, there are no hard and fast rules about it
Step 3. Invest in some CDs
One of the most effective ways to get used to the rhythm and, in general, the sounds of the mandolin, is to try to play along with professional mandolin music recordings.
- Focus on the mandolin styles that interest you the most, but listen to different songs and genres, so that you have a more complete understanding of the instrument.
- Make sure you switch from ancient mandolin compositions to newer ones. Newer techniques and styles have been created on the basis of previous ones, and understanding the older styles will make it much easier to learn new ones.
- When you learn a new song, stick it firmly in your memory by listening to it over and over again. You will have time to develop your own style later, for now you need to know the song enough to know how it should sound when played correctly.
Method 2 of 4: Familiarize yourself with the Mandolin
Step 1. Hold the mandolin correctly
You have to hold the mandolin above your lap. The neck of the mandolin should point up and diagonally towards your non-dominant side.
- Do not press the mandolin against the torso too rigidly, otherwise you risk dampening the sound.
- The forearm connected to your dominant hand should remain horizontal and the arm should bend over the elbow.
Step 2. Know how to use your hands
Your non-dominant hand will press the keys to form chords. Your dominant hand, on the other hand, will take care of the strings as you play the notes.
- The fingers of the non-dominant hand press the frets along the neck of the mandolin for each chord. The thumb should rest on the edge of the handle and the fingers should come out from under the handle.
- You should hold the pick gently but firmly, between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand. The pick should rest on the index finger along the side of the thumb, between the first joint and the tip. The pointed part of the pick should face outward.
Step 3. Tune the mandolin
You need to make sure the mandolin strings are perfectly in tune before you start playing.
- The strings of a mandolin are arranged in pairs. Both strings will be tuned on the same note.
- The pairs of strings are traditionally tuned from the bottom up, G - D - A - E. The highest pair of strings, Mi, must be the one closest to the floor.
- Use an electric tuner for accurate results. If you don't have an electric tuner, however, you can use another instrument to help you tune the strings correctly.
Step 4. Understand the difference between chords and notes
A chord refers to a combination or family of musical tones. A note is a single tone played within a chord.
- The chords are "controlled" by the non-dominant hand.
- Notes are controlled by both the dominant and non-dominant hands.
- Both should be indicated on the score or tablature you intend to practice on.
Method 3 of 4: Learning the Chords
Step 1. Play the strings
Do not keep the strings pressed all the time, otherwise you will tire quickly. Rather, hit the fret before playing the string.
- Place your fingers for the chord before playing it.
- Just before the pick hits the string, press the string to the correct fret.
- As the pick moves away, release the strings.
- The timing of your press-and-release will change the way the instrument plays, so you'll need a lot of practice to find the right tempo - and therefore the sound - for you.
Step 2. Learn the G major chord
This is one of the three most important major chords, which you will need to learn to play most of the mandolin pieces.
- The index finger must press the first fret of the string closest to your palm.
- The middle finger must press the second fret of the string closest to the palm.
- The ring finger must press the fourth fret of the string farthest from the palm.
- The little finger must press the sixth fret of the string farthest from the palm.
Step 3. Learn the C major chord
This is another of the three chords you will need to master.
- The index finger must press the first fret of the string closest to your palm.
- The middle finger must press the third fret of the second string farthest from the palm.
- The ring finger must press the fourth fret of the second string farthest from the palm.
- The little finger must press the sixth fret of the string farthest from the palm.
Step 4. Learn the D major chord
This is the last of the three main chords that you will absolutely have to learn if you want to play the mandolin.
- The index finger must press the second fret of the second string farthest from the palm.
- The middle finger must press the third fret on the second string closest to the palm.
- The ring finger must press the fifth fret of the string farthest from the palm.
- The little finger is not used for this arrangement.
Method 4 of 4: Playing the Notes and Practicing with the Mandolin
Step 1. Choose a learning style
The easiest way for beginners is to read music on tablature.
- If you know how to read music the traditional way (on a staff), you can use this method. Either way, it can be difficult to learn at first, which is why beginners who can't read music don't rely on the staff.
- If you have a great ear, you may only learn to play by ear.
Step 2. Read the tablature lines
The tablature uses four lines - one for each pair of strings.
- The top line represents the highest note, not necessarily the highest string.
- For a better perspective, turn the mandolin sideways, so that the strings are pointing up and the back of the instrument is parallel to the ground. When looking at the mandolin below and from the side, you should notice that the highest string is the one tuned to the highest note. This string coincides with the first line of the tablature.
- For the standard G - D - A - Mi tuning (G-D-A-E in Anglo-Saxon notation), the lowest line is G, the one immediately above D, the one still above A and the highest line E. Tabs written for different tunings must be marked as such.
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Usually, the tablature will look something like this:
- E-- || ----------------
- A-- || ----------------
- D-- || ----------------
- G-- || ----------------
Play Mandolin Step 14 Step 3. Read the notes
Notes are designated by numbers. The absence of a number indicates that no strings should be played.
- When you see a "0", this indicates that you need to play an open string.
- Any other number will tell you which fret to press on which string. For example, a "1" will be your first key, "2" the second, "3" the third, "4" the fourth, and so on.
Play Mandolin Step 15 Step 4. Put the information together
By looking at the fret number and the string line, you can determine how to play the note.
- For example, a "2" on the third line indicates that you must hit the second fret on the third string (usually "D").
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In tab form it should look like this:
- E-- || --------------------
- A-- || --------------------
- D-- || --------- 2 ----------
- G-- || --------------------
Play Mandolin Step 16 Step 5. Learn how chords are portrayed on tablature
Chords are indicated by placing one number on top of the other.
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For example, C major will look like this:
- E-- || --0 --------------
- A-- || --3 --------------
- D-- || --2 --------------
- G-- || --0 --------------
- A tablature won't tell you which finger to use, however. For this you will have to practice the chord positions separately, as indicated above.
Play Mandolin Step 17 Step 6. Determine the rhythm
The duration of each note is indicated by how much horizontal space there is between the notes.
- The note type (semibreve, minim, quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth note) is not indicated on the tablature. Rhythm is based entirely on how notes and their duration are related to each other on the tablature.
- Numbers placed next to each other indicate shorter notes. A larger space indicates longer notes.
- Numbers placed at the same distance should have the same duration. When there is a wider space, the note should last a relatively longer time (a double wide space will mean that the note is twice as long, etc.). The same can be said of notes followed by shorter spaces (a space that is half as wide will mean that the note is half as long, etc.).
Advice
- Change the strings monthly. Strings wear out quickly, especially with use. Damaged strings can hurt your fingers and cause the instrument to drop out much more quickly.
- Play slowly. As you begin to learn the mandolin, practice slowly and take the time to master each note and chord.
- Take lessons for more advanced help. Many people find it much easier to learn a tool by following the lessons of a professional. Search for a local teacher or take lessons online.
