I have a confession to Make...

[Keith Erickson]

Okay Folks, Some of you might want to break out your "8_String_Keith" voodoo dolls again.

Let's go right to the heart of the matter: I've been using a capo on my Mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif ...yes, ...yes, I know it's wrong. But many times I was in a bind and I didn't have a way out when playing in different keys.

Some of the songs we play in our choir have been quite unusual keys from time to time. Yes I've noticed that I was playing in tune with the capo, but I've found that the chords didn't sound genuine.

Last night at practice, we went over one of our songs. It was in the key of Eb. I didn't care if I didn't play the chords totally correct and I might of cheated a little bit, but I wanted to play without the capo. I must say that what I was playing sounded more genuine and natural that playing with the capo. Difficult- yes; disspointed- no!!!

I've been consulting the chords secion of the cafe website and it's helped me tremendously. Any other suggestions on playing in other than normal keys?

I'm all ears!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

P.S. Please be gentle with the voodoo dolls http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Much Oblidged

[Ted Eschliman]

Any other suggestions on playing in other than normal keys? #
Yup (http://www.mandolincafe.com/eschliman1.html)...

[Tom C]

That's a great page Ted. Any practice tips?

[Ted Eschliman]

That's a great page Ted. Any practice tips?
Spend 10 minutes every morning on this before playing anything else. Do one of each scale, going around to each finger position, and start half on the G string, half on the D. Mix them up every day so that in the course of a couple weeks, you've covered all 12 keys.
Keep the tempo slow enough that you can keep pure, sustained tone, maximize the "sweet spot" between the frets all the way up to the start of the next note.
When these are comfortable, move them up the fretboard, first finger on the 5th & 7th frets and above. Again, tone is king; do nothing to sacrifice tone. Speed is secondary, and will come later.
Many who have used this have reported back to me after several months that not only is their tone and finger strength more secure, they find their improvisation improving. It's as if notes are coming to their fingers from nowhere.
Well worth the time!

[Keith Erickson]

Any other suggestions on playing in other than normal keys? #
Yup (http://www.mandolincafe.com/eschliman1.html)...
Ted,

I can't wait to get started. Thank you so much for your help.

Much oblidged to you Sir http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

We have all done it before. I don't use one much now but when i started i put a capo on a bunch. Exsepcially in F or E. Those keys are easy now though.