Is there a faq?

[Curtis]

And if not can people make one?

1) What are the tunes everyone should know? Possibly with divisions in them for different styles.

2) I'm trying to learn my I-IV-V in the most common keys. . . both with open but also closed voicings. How do you close an F in order to chop it?

[AlanN]

Last question:

F major:

2-3-3-5
5-3-3-5
10-7-8-5
10-10-12-13

any will do.

[Tom C]

You can also use
2-3-X-X
Or

5-3-0-1 and use the heel of your palm right hand to dampen strings. -takes some practice.

[mandelect]

I also use 5-7-8-8 using all four fingers,

or take the third out and use a pinky bar:

5-3-8-8, which then covers Fm as well.

PS. Of course the chord ceases to be F major (or F min) without the third; it's a useful alternative nevertheless.

Thought I'd better qualify my suggestion before the pedants jump on me #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[squirrelabama]

Just don't use a capo.........:O

[Curtis]

Interesting. . . looks like the voicing might change depending on what key you're in in order to make switching from one chord to another interesting. . .

I've noticed the Mando is more about patterns than any other instrument I've learned. . . I just can't figure them all out yet. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandelect]

Just don't use a capo.........:O

My preference is to tune the G and D strings down a whole step, leave the A string as standard, then tune the E strings up a semi-tone ......before I use the capo http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandelect]

....at the 12 fret, of course! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif