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Hi folks,
A mandolin is tuned in fifths (from bass to treble: G-D-A-E). A mandola is also tuned in fifths (from bass to treble: C-G-D-A). Therefore, the same mandolin chord shapes can be used on a mandola (but the resulting chord sound would be different). I've played fiddle for about 25 years and I've tinkered around with mandolin (which is tuned the same as a fiddle). I think my brain would over-heat if I'd pick up a mandola, play mandolin chord shapes, and have to remember what chord was actually coming out of the instrument!!! "louisiana"  "louisiana" |
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And the Mando-Chellow is also CGDA but an octive lower.
------------------------------ A bunch of Collings, a few of Merrills and some others. |
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Weezy, I was just thinking the same thing. So the first-position G chord on a mandolin would become a first-position C chord on mandola?
'99 D1A / '07 CWMhAVarn / '07 D2HBaG / MT |
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yes.
it's even more mind-boggling if you're reading music written in bass clef. this is common for cello music. |
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But for the reading music aspect of it, I find the mental exercise switching between mandolin and mandola to be good for trying to get a rudimentary understanding of theory and "music speak." As a basically self-taught player for 35+ years, picking up mandolin/mandola (and lately pedal steel !!) has done more for my "music knowledge" than anything else.
An overheated brain is a terrible thing to baste...but great for building enthusiasm for music! ______________ I own some guitars & other musical stuff |
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Think of it this way:
Mandolin = violin Mandola = viola 1967 Martin D-18 2005 Collings OM2HG 2007 Collings 000-3 Weber Fern Brentrup 21V National RM-1 Smart Mandola Davy Stewart octave mandolin |
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It would just take some getting used to think. I play all the time in Bb with a capo on the 3rd fret. I used to transpose everything but now when I see Bb I automatically play a G, Eb is C, and so on. I'd think the mandola would be the same; after a while it would be second nature.
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In addition to the question about tuning, and I hope I'm not hijacking a thread here, I'm curious about strings for a mandola. Are they mandolin strings? If so, what are the guages? Thanks.
Jim |
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i've used d'addario and pearse mandola strings. i don't remember seeing a string gauge for either of them. (i sold the mandola last year.) the pearse strings seemed a little lighter gauge and were easier to play. i really liked the sound of the d'addario strings.
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For whatever it's worth, here's a handy mandola chord chart from Mandozine.
I had a mandola come into my life a few weeks ago. This should save me a lot of grief converting the chords. |
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