More chords

[John Bertotti]

Well I'm trying to learn to play more chord and switch between chords. What sort of rules apply to chord progressions. I mean switching from one chord to the next. Do you usually follow one type of chord with another specific type or just what sound good to your ear. Are there Chord Etudes? Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[JimD]

Hi again, John,

No there aren't any rules. There are common chord progressions and these are the types that are emphasized in most harmony text books. To discuss those would take a post -- well, about the size of a text book.

When composing or improvising you should just make progressions that are pleasing to your ear.

By chord etudes, do you mean peices to practice changing chords? There are usually things like that in most method books. Depending on the kind of music you are interested in, it is probably a good idea to simply take some "real-life" progressions directly from pieces that you want to play.

[psann]

You Might find this to be helpful.

http://www.musicdials.com/ma.html

[John Bertotti]

hey Jim thanks again thats pretty much what I figured.
psann have you used that tool, if so what did you think of it? thanks John

[psann]

John - yes, I have used it and found it quite helpful. I do not necessarily use the formations he shows but the progressions and theory were very helpful and the cd was a tremendous help in learning rhythm and practicing making the changes. It is designed so you hear the chords quite strongly over the melody. Others on this list have also recommended it as this where I learned of it.

When I first picked up the mandolin I just started learning melodies from tab. As a result I had/have a real void in my timing and ability to play with others. IIf I could go backwards, I would start with a metronome and learn those things first.

Pat

[John Bertotti]

Thanks psann this is going to be my next mando helper then. I totally agree about the metronome. The easier bits I've played I do alright on but the odder timing is killing me. I have a metronome and only just decided I need it after working on Terry Penders Italian mandolin and our own Victor Kioulaphides arrangement Mandolinatas. I was also worried about different keys but the Fret Board Roadmaps is pulling me through that hurdle.
Everyone have a great labor day. John
I see that mandozine has a mandolin chord encyclopedia. I think Scott even helped write it. There are a lot of chords here does anyone know if this book has more than is available here? Thanks John

[solerydr]

Ive got an Alfred Handy Guide Mandolin Chord Dictionary that has a really cool accompaniment chart at the back. I dont use it much, but its similar to the dial.

[Ras]

I am a beginning player with 5 string elect. mando. lower string tuned to c. I am looking for a chord chart. Can anyone help me? Ras

[John Bertotti]

Well here already are two good books and a reference disc that has some good remarks. Did you know there are a bunch of chords here also? heres a link. http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/chords/ch.pl

I am curious just how many chords are there for a mando? Thanks John

[JimD]

[QUOTE]I am curious just how many chords are there for a mando? Thanks John

You'll be sorry you asked this question.

There are a huge amount of chord types. The number that will be useful depends on the style you are playing. For instance, a jazz player will need a greater chord vocabulary than a celtic player but #even within jazz, different "substyles" (is that a word?) will require different vocabularies.

It all seems more finite if you realize that there are 12 major and 12 minor chords (one for each chromatic pitch--though some have 2 common names). therefore, there are, theoretically 12 of each other type as well.

The other issue is that there are many ways to finger each different chord, some more useful than others. This is why one can never know "all the chords" and why many serious mandolinists, guitarists and pianists (including me) don't consider a day complete without learning a new chord or at least a new voicing of a chord.

You definately have the right instinct to learn many chords and get right down to using them. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Welcome to the great harmonic quest.

[John Bertotti]

Welcome to the great harmonic quest.
Jim Can I use that line? I see a new Shirt in my future. Some notated chords a nice mando maybe a fret board. Thanks John

[JimD]

[QUOTE]Welcome to the great harmonic quest.
Jim Can I use that line? I see a new Shirt in my future. Some notated chords a nice mando maybe a fret board. Thanks John

Be my guest. Didn't think to copyright it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[John Bertotti]

I started a chord theory thread many months ago. There was some great info in that thread. I saved it to my hard drive but now find that I can't find it. Such is life. Most of the info was way beyond my understanding at the time. Things like how to determine what type of chord it is. How to make your own chords. What makes it a dim or sus or aug chord etc. I'm old enough to know I can't learn it all at once but that doesn't seem to stop me from trying. here is one link I saved.
http://members.aol.com/teesch/Economics.html

Thanks all John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Dave Wendler]

Here's a clip of an all electroCoustic quartet...Brett Hodges has the lead line on the electroMando...
www.electrocoustic.com/audio/Iwill.mp3

Just an illustration of some of the tones of the electroCoustic series.