View Full Version : Learning to play
Mike313
Jan-18-2011, 2:11pm
Hi Folks,
I don't play any musical instruments, I have messed about with a guitar in the past but nothing beyond the 3-chord trick and even that at slow chord change, and even that was years ago. I'd love to play music, especially an instrument where I could accompany myself singing. The sort of music I like is James Taylor, the Beatles, The Stones, Carly Simon, Tracey Chapman, Leonard Cohen etc. but also English Folk music that I've heard by Martin Carty. Now finally my question ! Can I accompany myself on a mandolin? Is there a ready source for chords etc. ? is this something other people do ? (excuse my ignorance please). I will be most grateful for any and all advice.
Best, Mike.
Martin Whitehead
Jan-18-2011, 2:36pm
Yes, it can be done, but it sounds a little "thin" if all you have is a mandolin. I recorded a couple of gospel tunes that I posted on YouTube recently. And of course you could search YT to see if you could find any others.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mgwhitehead
EdHanrahan
Jan-18-2011, 2:55pm
On the positive side, a fair number of basic chords can be played with minimal fingering. G, C, D, A, Am, Em, Dm, probably others, can all be played with 2 fingers, or even just one (covering 2 pairs of strings). That would get you through most folk and rock songs, like your preferred selection, at least in the key of G. Once you have a good start, other fingers and keys should come pretty easily.
Ya can't get real far on guitar with just 2 fretting fingers!
www.chordie.com has songs with guitar chords, but also has an option with many songs to convert to mandolin chords. Sing away!
Ian Brown
Jan-19-2011, 12:02pm
Some of the suspend chords in James Taylor songs also only require two fingers.
Mike313
Jan-19-2011, 12:54pm
Thanks a lot, Martin, Ed, R and Ian!
Martin, I've looked at the YT link, it sounds great. RRTT the chordie site looks good, I'm going to have a closer look at it tomorrow when I've got some free time.
By way of thanks, here's a link to an Irish Folk group (80's) who had a mandolin amoingst the many instruments they played, it's the principal instrument on this track. I've heard a 'proper' recording (CD) and the quality is much better on a CD but nevertheless!.
Hope you enjoy,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ0vRnwUfGQ&NR=1
Mike
joshtree
Jan-23-2011, 6:41am
hey Mike, I would say the mando might be a perfect choice for you. I is a great little intrument. I want to do the same thing but I cant sing. I have found that the octive mando is a little better for playing some of that kind of music, but for playing alone and practising and learning music the regular mando is great!
Flyboy
Jan-26-2011, 9:50am
I think the big thing the mando has going for it is the fact that it is so small & portable. Also, the SOUND of a mandolin is so ... beautiful!
I think the big thing the mando has going for it is the fact that it is so small & portable. Also, the SOUND of a mandolin is so ... beautiful!
That and how much sense the fretboard makes.
Markus
Jan-27-2011, 2:54pm
That and how much sense the fretboard makes.
I agree.
It's a fiddle for those of us who need frets and picks to play.
"Ya can't get real far on guitar with just 2 fretting fingers!"
Tell that to Django Reinhardt
Pete Summers
Jan-27-2011, 3:16pm
People have been using the mandolin to accompany singing in the U. S. for over a100 years (as well as ukulele), thin or not. As for playing genres other than old time and Bluegrass, that too. Check out this fellow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaHRstF-2qA&NR=1
Now I think of it, even slide blues mandolin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqX0SqOKvE&feature=related