watergirl
Jul-21-2009, 9:46pm
Does anyone know where I can find tabs for the song Ozilline by Indigo Girls? I've spent hours on chordie and all the others looking everywhere online, and can only find the Come On Now Social music book, which (I think) is the guitar part rather than the mandolin part of the song. The mandolin MAKES this song... I am a beginner and after many trials and tribulations finally have my mandolin in hand. I'm so excited to play and cant find these tabs anywhere! :( I'm a little overwhelemed and afraid of the WalMart like feel of Guitar Center, but if I have to go there I will... but if any of you can save me from that I would be SO greatful! Thanks...:)
R. Kane
Jul-22-2009, 4:50pm
Welcome watergirl:
You'll find lots of help here on the 'cafe, but not always exactly what you're seeking. I don't know the song you want to learn. Maybe someone will chime in with what you are looking for, or maybe I can help you anyway. Let's start with what you know about the song. Do you know the chords for the rhythm and you're just looking for the mandolin part? You're right that most published songbooks are guitar or piano-oriented, so if you already know the lyrics and chords you don't need to buy it. If not, start by figuring out the chords (or looking in that songbook and remembering them).
If you have a basic handle on the song, why not teach yourself the mandolin part by ear? It will develop your listening skills, and you'll learn your way around the fretboard faster. I use a program called the Amazing Slowdowner, which you can get online. It slows down, loops, changes pitch, etc. Put the Indigo Girls cd in your drive, it will allow you to dissect that mandolin part very quickly. Write out your own tab, or just memorize it.
I used to be limited to tab, then I learned to read notation, and now I'm working on picking up melodies by ear. Sounds backwards, but that's how it's been. By ear is faster when that's all you can go by, and it may prove to be the best for making music with others.
One last point. 95% of mandolin melodies are laid out down at the bottom of the fretboard, and the notes are easily found under the two and three finger versions of the chords that accompany the melody. There is plenty of information on chords here, just search for it. Good luck.
watergirl
Jul-23-2009, 4:08pm
Thanks so much for the tips! I think you're right, I may be able to do it by ear, with some work. :)