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Thread: Converting guitar chords

  1. #1

    Question Converting guitar chords

    Hi! I am new to the mandolin (and I don't read music), so am struggling a little with self-learning! I have learnt to strum a few of the basic chords, but am getting frustrated at not being able to learn any tunes well, or find music to my taste!

    I really want to learn Manu Chao's Desaparecido, but can only find the music for guitar. It is seemingly very simple (only three chords) https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab..._chords_539052, but can't find an easy for a beginner to understand explanation of how I convert these three chords (Am, E, Dm) for the Mandolin to get me going...

    Can anyone kindly help?!

    Thank you

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  3. #2
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    I know we’re not “supposed” to refer to a mandolin as an “upside down guitar” But if you just invert the shape that you’d play on a guitar that should work.

    So:

    Am = 2200 (Low to high)

    E = 1220

    Dm=0231

  4. #3
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Check out the "Learn/Listen" section of the Mandolin Cafe. The have all the chords to get you started:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/chords/ch.pl

    Then hang out here for a decade or two...

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  6. #4
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Many thanks for the suggestion, LucyLuna, I like that song. I'm thinking of doing some vids this week, I'll include it if I have time.
    Have a look at the vid I did on the C minor harmonic scale. The vid is in C minor harmonic but you can just shift everything you see in the vid down by three frets to get it into the A minor harmonic scale -the scale of the song. The roots are the 4th string, 2nd fret and 2nd string 0 fret.

    (Just remember that the mouth of the old wolf starts on string 2, 0 fret, and you can use the top three strings for chords)

    -actually I've just seen the vid on C minor harmonic. It's visual and tactile but quite technical. It would be simpler if I did another on the A minor harmonic along with the chords. Will try and post it this week.
    Have fun!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MplXwcUJ-s
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qew9cYR3t0g

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  8. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    An Am chord is an Am chord, an E chord is an E chord, and a Dm chord is a Dm chord now matter what stringed instrument it is played on. Probably 99% of popular songs are based on three chords. Go to the Mandolin Cafe Chord Library and get the chord pattern for the chords you need. There may be more than one way to play the chord.

    You have to start someplace.

    Am

    E

    Dm
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  10. #6
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    -also remember that the recording of the song, at least here on YouTube, is up to a quarter tone sharper than A which why it's a little more difficult to work out by ear the melody and riffs.
    I'm not sure why it's not exactly in tune.

  11. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Quote Originally Posted by atsunrise View Post
    ...I'm not sure why it's not exactly in tune.
    This used to be very common, might still be in certain circles. It generally happens when people tune to each other assuming one of them is actually in tune. Try playing along with almost any recording of the band Poco. You probably won't be able to. In my word we all carry digital tuners and people still get it wrong. I had one friend that was always taking his tuner out of 440 accidentally.
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  13. #8
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Quote Originally Posted by atsunrise View Post
    ... not exactly in tune.
    Especially if it's a recording with piano involved - meaning one with actual strings rather than IC boards? If the piano in the studio (or more likely, the night club, living room, back porch, etc.) has been sitting around A= 438 or 443 for the last decade or so, nobody's going to re-tune it just for some silly little recording!
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  14. #9
    Registered User Jonathan K's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    The website chloride.com has a little widget that will transform the chords for a song between multiple instruments including guitar and mandolin.

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    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Seems like the OP has chord names for which she wants wants mandolin fingerings. As Mike pointed out, all she needs is a source that gives fingerings for the common chords; not a matter of "transforming" or "converting" anything, just of learning chords on mandolin. (See post #5.)

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  18. #11
    Registered User Jonathan K's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    OP specifically asks how to convert guitar chords for a specific song.

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  20. #12
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Chords is chords. They are three or more tones in a specific relationship to one another. Yes two chords can have the same tones and have different names and porpoises in different keys. But mostly three chords of three tones each will get you through. Chord charts carried in cases, apps in smart phones in this gen even / often show what works together. That makes up the basic math of music. So look up those mandolin chords and get going. Play on! R/
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  22. #13

    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Here ya go:

    https://www.google.com/search?lr=&as...&bih=983&dpr=2

    Also, the app GuitarToolKit has a function where it will either list chords for you to learn or name the chords you are fingering.
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  24. #14

    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Oh, that would be amazing! Let me know if you do do it!
    In the meantime, thank you so much for your kind and very helpful advice

  25. #15

    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Hi Jonathan, that would be really useful! I think the link you posted is not correct? It takes me to industrial solutions webpage?!

  26. #16

    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Thanks, Mike. It's just that I'm such a novice it all seems like learning a new language (well I suppose that's exactly what it is!). Perhaps I'm being too ambitious with song choice before I know how to play basics! For example, I am now trying to practice the Am, E and Dm on the links you shared, however, all are different to the sound on the song I want to learn...

  27. #17
    Registered User Jonathan K's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Drat! Sorry! Chordie.com

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    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    If the chords listed on this site aren’t enough, go to www.mandozine.com and click ‘chords’ on the home page. A very good resource.
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  30. #19
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Quote Originally Posted by Lucyluna View Post
    Thanks, Mike. It's just that I'm such a novice it all seems like learning a new language (well I suppose that's exactly what it is!). Perhaps I'm being too ambitious with song choice before I know how to play basics! For example, I am now trying to practice the Am, E and Dm on the links you shared, however, all are different to the sound on the song I want to learn...
    I understand but you need to realize that mandolins are not guitars. There will be a difference in the sound just because of that difference. The good side is that chords appear all over the fretboard in different shapes. Good luck.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Am = 2200 (Low to high)

    E = 1220

    Dm=0231
    No one has said anything so maybe I'm not reading this right. But the Dm looks a little suspect. There are many ways to play it but 235X might work with those other voicings.
    Bobby Bill

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  33. #21
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Is this the version you're listening to, Lucy?



    If so, try these:

    Am: 2230
    E7: 4650
    Dm: 235x or 2350

    Hope this helps!

  34. #22

    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Quote Originally Posted by bobby bill View Post
    No one has said anything so maybe I'm not reading this right. But the Dm looks a little suspect. There are many ways to play it but 235X might work with those other voicings.
    The Dm is shaped for guitar, not mandolin.

  35. #23
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Quote Originally Posted by David L View Post
    The Dm is shaped for guitar, not mandolin.
    Am = 2200 (Low to high)
    E = 1220
    Dm=0231

    The top two are `converted' forms from the bottom 4 strings of the guitar. The Dm is a `converted' form of the top 4 strings of the guitar - which do not relate to the mandolin fretboard.

    As a substitute, the 2350 as a D minor alternate is incorrect as it includes the open E - not the half-step-up F that belongs in the chord [D - F - A]. I would play Dm as 235x or 2351 [or 2001, 7351 or 7355]
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  36. #24
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    Quote Originally Posted by Markus View Post

    As a substitute, the 2350 as a D minor alternate is incorrect as it includes the open E
    Sounds good though in the context of the song the OP is asking about.

  37. #25
    Registered User mmuussiiccaall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Converting guitar chords

    For the song in question give these a try.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by mmuussiiccaall; Apr-18-2019 at 12:35am.

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