Mandola Chords

[mandomurph]

Been playing the mandolin for several years but am new to the mandola. So far it seems to me that open chords are more effective on the mandola than closed or chop chords. Is this true? I have an oval hole vintage Gibson and like the round full sustain, but may be limiting myself by following my personal preference. Any advice?

[Mandobart]

Open chords are a little easier to finger due to the slightly longer scale. I do like the sound of open chords on mandocello and OM, and on mandola as well, particularly as I go up the neck. I've been known to play open chords on the mandolin as well. Here is a re-post of some chord ideas that I think work well, originally posted for mandocello but since mandola is just an octave higher it will work as well.

Note I use ( ) for double digit fret numbers. (10) is 10th fret. For G and G variations I like 2002, 2052, 2055, 709(10), 009(10) and a 2452 barre. C I like 0023, 0523, 0053, 0553,0057, 4503, 09(10)(10). F I use 0230, 0233, 0078, 5578 0(10)78. 0223 uses the root, 3 and 5 for a F triad. For B I use 2301 and 2331, as well as a 5785 barre, (10)788. Also B 5301 or 5331. For Dm, 2230 or 2235 sound good.

Using barre chords: A good set of barres for the I, IV, V of almost any key that works is as follows, example key of G on mandola:
I G 2452 Instead of playing the 2nd frets on the C and A strings with 2 separate fingers, lay your index finger across the neck on the 2nd fret.
IV C 4523
V D 2245

This can be moved up the neck for several keys. You can play around and see how easy it is to get the 7ths with slight mods of these shapes. So you can chop along on a BG tune if you want without ever moving the barre.

[mandomurph]

Very helpful. Thanks. I'll try these suggestions.

[taboot]

Here's one I use constantly: 4224 (A major on mandola.) Index finger on the two inner strings, second and third fret the C and A strings. Add a pinky to make it 4254 for a seventh, slide the pinky up to six for a major seventh. The minor shape for this one is 4223, minor seventh 4253. Move it anywhere you like.

[Tom Sanderson]

I think "open" chords sound better on oval holes ( mandolin & mandola) . F hole mandolas sound good with both "open" and "closed/chop" chords. I have some cool mandolin/mandola fretborad chord charts in PDF format that I worked out long ago. if you are interested I would be glad to share them.

[Mandobar]

You can also use 1220 for A major. I think it all depends on the instrument and the tune. I play barre chords on the 'dola for blue grass and jazz. All the same chord shapes apply from mando.