How To

How to Play the Mandolin Using Basic Note Structure

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

Although small in size the mandolin is big on sound, making it a fun instrument to play. Using basic note structure, the mandolin is a fairly simple instrument to play for a beginner. The mandolin's rich history and unique sound make it a great addition to country, folk and bluegrass music.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Hold the mandolin against your stomach with your left hand on the neck and your right hand on the strings.

  2. Step 2

    Pluck the bottom strings or the fourth doubled string from the top of the mandolin face. This note is an E.

  3. Step 3

    Play each set of double strings going in this order: E, A, D and then G.

  4. Step 4

    Move your hand along the neck of the mandolin and feel the fret markers. Each fret represents a note in the scale.

  5. Step 5

    Press the double string E in the first fret on the neck of the mandolin and pluck the string. This note is now an E flat.

  6. Step 6

    Slide your finger up the string into each fret marker, pressing the string and plucking each note as you go along. The scale you are playing is E, E flat, D, C sharp, C, B, B flat, A, A flat, G, F sharp, F and then E again.

  7. Step 7

    Play these notes all the way through once more to play an entire octave.

Tips & Warnings
  • Use these same steps on each one of the double strings to understand the note progressions for each key.
  • The strings on a mandolin are doubled in order to produce a fuller sound. Work on your hand position carefully, especially if you are used to playing a guitar.

Comments  

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on 6/24/2008 fwiw, the first note on step 5 is F not E flat.
For step five, the notes progress with each fret as follows: F, F sharp, G, G sharp, A, B flat, B, C, C shart, D, D sharp

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