Learn How to Play the Mandolin

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The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
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Stick your right hand out in front of you, as though you were going to shake someone's hand.
Stick your right hand out in front of you, as though you were going to shake someone's hand.
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Now, while keeping your other fingers pointed straight out, bend your index finger inward as shown.
Now, while keeping your other fingers pointed straight out, bend your index finger inward as shown.
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Then balance your pick on the first joint of your index finger, with the tip of the pick pointing straight to the left.
Then balance your pick on the first joint of your index finger, with the tip of the pick pointing straight to the left.
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Slash marks indicate where to strum to keep the rhythm going.
Slash marks indicate where to strum to keep the rhythm going.
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One way to make this easier is to hold your left thumb against the back of the neck and squeeze the strings between your thumb and fingers.
One way to make this easier is to hold your left thumb against the back of the neck and squeeze the strings between your thumb and fingers.
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Hold your left index finger on the third, or D, string at the second fret, and strum the bottom three strings.
Hold your left index finger on the third, or D, string at the second fret, and strum the bottom three strings.
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To keep your pick from falling on the floor when you play, lay your thumb on the middle of the pick with enough pressure to restrain the thing.
To keep your pick from falling on the floor when you play, lay your thumb on the middle of the pick with enough pressure to restrain the thing.
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How about a waltz?
How about a waltz?
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The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
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The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
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The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
The mandolin, sometimes referred to as the 'tator bug, is a distant relative of the lute and the guitar.
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To create a G chord, fret the second, or A, string at the second fret with your index finger, and push the first, or E, string down on the third fret with your middle finger.
To create a G chord, fret the second, or A, string at the second fret with your index finger, and push the first, or E, string down on the third fret with your middle finger.
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The author.
The author.
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It's important to learn a few scales, because they contain the notes you'll need in order to play melodies.
It's important to learn a few scales, because they contain the notes you'll need in order to play melodies.

Some people call it a ‘tator bug because of its traditional round back, but most people know it as a mandolin. The instrument, a distant relative of the lute and (even more distantly) the guitar, was brought to America from eastern Europe during the last century. It wasn’t exactly an overnight success, though — probably because the import’s bowl-like back made it frustratingly hard to hang onto to play.

But in the late 1800’s, an instrument maker in Kalamazoo, Mich., named Orville Gibson designed an easy-to-hold, flat-backed model that dramatically increased the mandolin’s popularity. Mandolin societies and even mandolin orchestras sprang up everywhere and flourished. The Gibson company went into full production, building not only regular mandolins but also banjo mandolins, mando-cellos, mando-basses and even tiny piccolo mandolins.

The instrument’s heyday continued up until the time America entered World War I. Then “hot” music became the country’s passion, and the mandolin was usurped in bands by the tenor banjo, which of course was louder and could more easily compete with horns in the new jazz orchestras. The mandolin was put away to gather dust.

A Turning Point: The History of Bluegrass

A couple of decades later (in October of 1939, to be exact), Bill Monroe walked onto the stage of WSM’s Grand Ole Opry for the first time and not only ushered in a new style of music, which we now call “bluegrass,” but also rescued the mandolin from near oblivion. Before Monroe demonstrated the vast possibilities of the mandolin with his dazzling virtuosity, the instrument had played only a fairly minor role in country music; it had always taken a backseat to the fiddle and guitar. True, many of the old-time brother duets of the 30s (probably the most notable of which was Lester McFarland and Robert A. Gardener, better known as Mac and Bob) did use the mandolin for both lead and accompaniment. But for the most part, it was played in a rather laid-back, subdued fashion.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1985
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