Playing cool sounding backup

[Jeffers]

I've been playing almost a couple years now and have recently got the the Chris Thile video. While there's lots of lead playing the concentrate on, I thought his backup playing in Hop the Fence sounded very cool but there was no instruction on that part! I'm also a big fan of the mando backup he plays in Fox on the Nickle Creek album.

I've also noticed that when seeing live bands play, eg Yonder, the mandolin chords seem to be all over the fret board in patterns that I completely fail to recognise.

Are there any books/videos/etc out there that can take me further than the old I IV V chords? Or (like so many things to do with the mandolin!) will these secrets simply be revealed to me with time and practice?

[ChrisWallace]

In addition to the "regular" chop chords, there are moveable chord patterns that can be used all over the neck. Basically, you just need to know the shape and the notes that make up the chord. It's funny, I just looked around the cafe and didn't see many of these shapes pointed out (except for "Pat's Chord Shapes" which were more geared towards jazz). I may have missed them though...

An example of one of these shapes would be if you played an A major chord by fretting the A on the 1st string (5th fret), the C# on the 2nd string (4th fret), the E and the 3rd string (2nd fret) and the A on the 4th string (2nd fret). Now, you can apply this pattern anywhere on the neck. Just starting "building" the chord from the root and use the same shape as in my initial example.

There are other shapes as well...but I don't want to confuse you anymore than I probably already have!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Does anyone know of any specific books/DVDs that may illustrate these shapes?

[Ken Berner]

There is a Mel Bay book on Mandolin Chords, which I think is rather extensive (not exPensive).

[David Horovitz]

I would definitely recommend any of the Jethro Burns books. There's one geared specifically for bluegrass, but with Jethro's more advanced harmonic bent. He lists three-finger chord shapes in every key, including major, minor, dominant and augmented and has examples of how to use them in standard bluegrass & old-time tunes.


http://music-books-online.net/0871663856.html

[RobP]

Niles Hokkanen's Guide to Mandolin Chords is a must-have book. It covers all the major chord types and also the embellishments. Its cheap and small and packed with content (as is all of Nile's materials).

http://www.btinternet.com/~john.baldry/mando/hokkanen.html

Cheers,

Rob

[Jeffers]

Thanks for all the feedback - much appreciated! I've got the Mel bay's chord book, and it comes in handy, but I think I'm gonna track down the Niles Hokkanen's book too.

Cheers! Jeffers

[Jeffers]

and the Jethro one!

[Albert Whiting]

from what i have heard the wayne benson dvd has good stuff on it. the thile dvd is awesome for technique.