Re: Learning Musical Theory
It's tuned in fifths, for one thing. That gives you a certain inkling of what's going on that other instruments (like guitar!) don't. There is an even pattern in fiddle/mandolin tuning that makes it seem like the harmony and stuff ought to be right on the tip of your tongue...but it isn't. So eventually you start wanting to learn it.
I have sort of a "standing order" so to speak with my mandolin teacher to point out little bits of harmony within the tunes I'm working on in lessons. Plus sometimes we spend 5-10 minutes at the end of a lesson doing simple ear training exercises so I can start hearing chord progressions and such. It really does come easier when playing a mandolin than with a guitar. Still not all that easy, alas!
The first man who whistled
thought he had a wren in his mouth.
He went around all day
with his lips puckered,
afraid to swallow.
--"The First" by Wendell Berry
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