Chords

[John Bertotti]

Ok so now I'm venturing into the world of chords. Specifically in rock music and maybe a bit of funk or jazz. Stuff like days of the new and or Dr. Hook and others. I hear the music and want to emulate it the best I can on a mandolin. Any suggestions for getting the best chords? Can I use the guitar progressions and then use a mando equivalent chord? Now I'm not sure I'm even asking the right questions here but I think you get the picture. Thanks John

[glauber]

"Mandocrucian" Niles Hokkanen (http://www.btinternet.com/~john.baldry/mando/hokkanen.html) has a good mandolin chord book. Ted Eschliman ("mandohack") has a good article (click) (http://www.jazzmando.com/mandolin_chord_economics.shtml) on how to create good mandolin chords.

[bjc]

And there is the Mandolin Chord Finder Book by Hal Leonard...it has a lot of diferent voicings, thought it would be impossible to list ALL the voicing for EVERY chord in ALL positions, but I've found it as a good place to start. And I agree that Jazzmando (AKA "THE MANDOHACK SITE") has a lot of good information.

[Bruce Evans]

Can I use the guitar progressions and then use a mando equivalent chord?
The name of the chord (C, Am, Bb7, etc.) will be the same whether you are playing guitar, mandolin or whatever. The shape of the chord will certainly be different on the mandolin than on a guitar. Get one of the chord books the other guys have mentioned.

[John Bertotti]

glauber, bjc, tocotodo. hanks. good resources and tocotodo that is the answer I needed. Thanks John

Now to search the sites listed!

[groveland]

Also, on one thread there is a brief discussion describing the algorithm to build a voicing for any chord on mandolin, and the algorithm for making all inversions for any of those voicings on the mandolin... Knowing this might diminish the need for a chord encyclopedia.
Toward the end of the thread... Building chords discussion (click here) (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=4;t=23165;hl=grovel)

[John Bertotti]

I have the Ohmson book. It goes into extreme detail about chord construction. It almost seems that is most of what the book is. My biggest concern was if a guitar piece calling for a C7 chord would mean I would use a C7 chord on the mandolin. I gather from the above posts and some of the stuff I've read that that is the case.
I wonder though if that is always the case? Will chords from one instrument always be the chords I use on a mandolin? I don't have an example but just for argument would there be a case where the guitar chord won't be desirable but maybe an alternate voicing instead? I'm trying to say not a C7 for a C7 or an augmented 13th for an augmented 13th. Does that make sense? Thanks John

[8ch(pl)]

Craig, I really like your chord building diagrams. I have printed them up and will give them a study in the near future.

[John Bertotti]

groveland just checked out that link. Thanks it'll be awhile before I full absorb it. Thanks John

[groveland]

Glen - Thanks!

John - As you said, (and like Tocotodo said) a C7 on the mandolin is made of the same set of notes (or subset of those notes) as on guitar, piano, etc. #

You can find shapes made of this set of notes (C,E,G,Bb) all over the neck of the mando. #They are all C7. #The guitar player will find completely different shapes made of these same notes. #They are all C7. You and the guitar player can play your individual choices of any of these 'voicings' of the C7 together, and they will sound just dandy.


I wonder though if that is always the case

That is always the case.

[John Bertotti]

groveland thanks this is all most enlightening. Everyone have a great fourth. John

[ira]

http://chordfind.com/4-string/

this site has been great for me. chords are simple, but there is also a way to look at more complex versions. even a lefty possibility.

[groveland]

This might help diminish the need for a chord encyclopedia. Go here: How to Construct Chords on the Mandolin (http://www.grovelandsoftwarelabs.com/modeexplorerweb/home/lessons/mandolin/chords.aspx)