Music Theory For Mandolin

[Jake Howard]

What's up! Hope you like pasta and music theory.

Just pushed out my first video of a series called 'Music Theory for Mandolin'. I'm going to be starting from the music theory I learned from my first class at Berklee and applying it to the mandolin so we can have a better understanding. There is also a free accompanying worksheet for those wanting to dive into the stuff we talk about in the video a little deeper. We will be taking a look at the basics of notation first. Hope you enjoy!

[fishing_with_john]

dang, you're really creating some great content! thanks!

[David L]

Why is this "for mandolin"? Music theory is not instrument specific.

[Sue Rieter]

The section about the "imaginary bar lines" was quite interesting. Not anything I'd ever thought about before.

[JeffD]

Why is this "for mandolin"? Music theory is not instrument specific.

I think it is shrewd marketing. There are likely many who do not know or understand the universality of music theory. "What do I need to know as a mandolinner?" Someone might go round and round in circles looking for the word mandolin in the course title.

[Jake Howard]

Why is this "for mandolin"? Music theory is not instrument specific.

You're right, music theory isn't instrument specific. I want to create a resource that helps target mandolin specifically though. For example, in the worksheet we take a look at what the four open strings of the mandolin look like on a treble clef. Those notes are universal to any musician reading treble clef but it might be helpful for someone starting mandolin from the basics of music theory to see where the mandolin relates on the staff. A lot of the early lessons I have planned for this will go over pitches, reading rhythm, time signatures, things that aren't mandolin specific. But say, if you were a mandolinist just starting out learning about pitches on a treble clef, wouldn't it be helpful to have someone say 'here is an A note on the treble clef and then here is that note on the fretboard!' I think it helps to make connections and exposes people to thinking about these things. I'm sorry if it comes across as music theory is just for mandolin. I just want to help incorporate it so people interested in it can get a running start on the mandolin!

[TonyG]

Very well done. And entertaining!

[mbruno]

I think this is a great introduction to standard notation for musicians in general - and totally understand why you'd have it as Theory for Mandolin on a mandolin focused site haha. While theory is universal, its application can be instrument specific IMO depending on the topic and exercises to teach that topic.

Great job and thanks for sharing

[Kenny]

Perfect time to drop this, Jake. Just yesterday in Tim Connell’s Zoom session the imaginary barlines were a topic. This explains it very clearly, thank you. I’ll share this thread with them.

One suggestion, you should add your name and contact info in there. After all, credit where credit is due when it’s shared.