Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Chord progressions...

  1. #1

    Default Chord progressions...

    I have a problem writing chord progressions on the mandolin, I just can't do anything interesting. I have no problem on the guitar or the banjo but when it comes to the mandolin I'm stuck.

    Any hints and suggestions?

  2. The following members say thank you to Fiskleverolja for this post:


  3. #2
    Registered User neil argonaut's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Glasgow, Scotland
    Posts
    384

    Default Re: Chord progressions...

    Why don't you write a few progressions that work on the guitar or banjo, then play it back on the mandolin, and do that a few times to get a feeling for good chord progressions on the mandolin.

    Alternatively, don't bother writing them on the mandolin. There are plenty of people who play multiple instruments, but have favourites when it comes down to writing stuff.

  4. The following members say thank you to neil argonaut for this post:


  5. #3
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    24,807
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default Re: Chord progressions...

    Just about anything that is interesting on any instrument can be played on mandolin.

    If one is a creative noodle type composer - it just takes experience to find things on the mandolin when you are used to other instruments.

    If one is a follow the theory type composer - I think the mandolin has some advantages because it is so systematically and symmetrically arranged that finding your way around is easier.

    I think Neil is right on as well, some instruments speak louder to some people, and since its all music, if you can compose on any instrument, you can play it on mandolin afterwards.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  6. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to JeffD For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    3,652

    Default Re: Chord progressions...

    What do you mean by "uninteresting"? Although the chords contain the same notes, the order (inversion) is different from one instrument to the other. Most first position guitar chords contain the root as the lowest note and this is what most of us coming from guitar are used to. A progression on the guitar then often walks from one root to the other, adding a sort of melodic scale. Mandolin chords aren't always written out like this, so the root jumps around and you don't get that walking or scale effect. You can try inversions that do feature the root where you are used to it, and try that. See if it is more interesting to you.

  8. The following members say thank you to Mandobart for this post:


  9. #5
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,356

    Default Re: Chord progressions...

    "You can try inversions that do feature the root where you are used to it, and try that."

    And you can find inversions that use 3 notes to suggest the chords without the root - e.g.: the most important tones that flavor a chord are the 3rd (is it major or minor), the 7th (is it a dominant chord), and the 5th (or other flavor tones). Try a ii7-V7-I6 motion without the roots (until the I in C): 5-3-5-X (Dmin7)--> 4-3-5-X (G7)--> 2-2-3-X (C6). Lots of fun to be had, if you realize that you can suggest chordal movement without referencing the root tone all the time.

    Yes, 4-4-5-x is Bmin, but it's also evoking GMaj7 and works well in that context. It depends on the circumstances that surround it.

  10. The following members say thank you to John Soper for this post:


  11. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Kernersville, NC
    Posts
    2,593
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Chord progressions...

    It took me a while to get used to that myself. At first, songs and chord progressions that I knew on guitar seemed to lose something converted to mandolin. Chords don't 'sound' the same on 3 or 4 strings vs 6. And thats a good thing when you combine the two later.

    After a year my ear has changed and I find the chord progessions on the mandolin to be what I 'expect'. Mandolin makes simple sounds sound nice. Where a 6 string chord sounds full and rich on guitar - a simple double stop on mandoloin might just do it for me. A mandolin sounds the best with other instruments when its doing what a mandolin does best.

  12. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Mark Wilson For This Useful Post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •