Mandolin Tablature And Videos
If you are thinking of buying a mandolin you will find recommendations to help you compare and decide.
Mandolins have been around a long time, but the way they are made and played today is relatively new. In the 1920s, a man named Bill Monroe changed the world of music and in particular that of the mandolin when he developed a new style of music, bluegrass.
Bluegrass has come a long way since those early days, but the mandolin has remained one of the most loved and required instruments in bluegrass. Of course the mandolin is not limited to bluegrass music, but can be used in nearly any genre. In fact, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has recorded songs using a mandolin.
How To Play The Mandolin With Tablature
Tablature is the absolute best way to learn how to play tunes on your own. If you have a recording of the song and you practice with the tablature you can soon be playing along.Tablature is very easy to read, you don't have to know anything about reading music. You start out with 4 lines, each representing a sting. The number on the string/line is the fret number.
The top line of the tablature is the first (the thinnest) pair of strings. On a mandolin the string you see at the bottom when you look down at the fret board is the first string while the one closest to you is the fourth. In a way this seems backwards, or upside down, but it is important to understand when you begin using tablature.
Most tablature will indicate the timing, but you can judge the timing by the distance between the notes, just a rough idea. The best way to get the timing and phrasing right is to listen to a recording of the song. Most tablature books come with a CD so you can hear the tunes you are learning to play. A lot of them will also have background tracks with which you can play along.
Notations Commonly Seen In Tablature:
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
Shenandoah Mandolin Tablature
Here is a short example of how tablature is used to represent a piece of music. It starts with the bottom (thickest) string at the second fret and then the third string open three times.
The Mandolin Primer
This Mandolin tablature book comes with a CD that includes all the songs recorded at two tempos, slow and normal. Play along with the slowed tempo version until you feel like challenging yourself with the full speed version
Mandolin Primer
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $14.95
Songs include Worried Man Blues, Wildwood Flower, Cripple Creek, John Hardy, Red Haired Boy, Sally Goodin, Soldier's Joy, 8th of January, Billy In The Lowground, Blackberry Blossum, Bill Cheatum, Old Joe Clark, and Salt Creek.
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The Eighth Of January ~ Mandolin Tablature
Here is another mandolin tune for you to play with. This one sounds good no matter what tempo you play it at, but it is meant to go fairly fast.
More Mandolin Tablature
Teach Yourself to Play Mandolin
Amazon Price: $11.65 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $12.50
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Beginning Mandolin (Book & Cd)
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $19.95
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Hal Leonard Mandolin Method
Amazon Price: $12.47 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $15.99
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Mel Bay Deluxe Encyclopedia Of Mandolin Chords
Amazon Price: $11.07 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $12.95
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Mandolin Primer
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $14.95
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Mandolin Scales - Improve Your Playing Skills
Practicing scales is very essential and will go a long way in improving your playing skills. Many times when someone starts learning to play an instrument they do not realize how important scales are.Remember that speed is not the goal. Sure you want to be able to go back and forth through the scales as quickly as possible, but the important thing is your timing. Do not practice the scales by playing faster than you can smooth. Work on your timing so that you can go through the scales both quickly and smoothly.
Everybody wants to learn some neat riffs and runs and that's fine, after all, scales are boring. If you make a commitment to practicing scales every day you will be amazed at how much it helps you in your overall playing skills. Scales are a great exercise for both the fingers and the ears. The fingers because they develop strength, speed and aim; The ears because you will develop an "ear" for the different tones and the timing.
Here are the three most widely used Mandolin scales:
Mandolin Scales
Mandolin Scale Finder
Mandolin Scale Finder: Easy-to-Use Guide to Over 1,300 Mandolin Scales, 6 inch. x 9 inch. Edition
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $5.95
Used Price: $3.26
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Mandolin Chord Charts
Naturally, you want to know some chords so you can mix in a little rhythm. Here are the major and minor mandolin chords:
Mandolin Major Cord Chart
Mandolin Minor Cord Chart
Mel Bay Mandolin Chord Chart
Mel Bay Mandolin Chord Chart
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $3.95
Used Price: $4.43
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Sierra Hull And Ryan Holladay - Salt Creek
Sierra Hull is amazing! Watch how this 12 year old girl burns up this mandolin.
This video is from several years ago. Sierra Hull is now 16 and plays even better.
The Music Moose Free Music Lessons
Recently I found a website called Music Moose
This website is GREAT! You can watch and download instructional videos for mandolin as well as banjo, harmonica, guitar, fiddle, and more. All the lessons are completely free. This site also has a really nice forum. If you play, or want to play, a musical instrument check this site out and join the forum.
Mandolin Tablature Websites
Mandolin Cafe has a collection of over 1700 mandolin tabs.
How to Read Mandolin Tablature is a page that explains it all.
Simple Gifts Mandolin Tablature Archive with MIDI files to help you play more accurately.
Learning To Play Mandolin With Videos
Mandolin instructional videos can be a great tool to help you learn to play new tunes and styles. Generally you will get to see and hear the song or lesson played at the normal speed and then have it broken down and explained step by step. You can sit in front of your computer with mandolin in hand and follow along.
Bluegrass Stomp Mandolin Lesson
The instructor is a young guy, but he is a good player and teacher. He plays it first at regular speed and then he breaks down each section explaining how it is done.
Blackberry Blossom Mandolin Lesson
A great version of Blackberry Blossom with step by step explanations.
More Mandolin Lessons On Video
How to Tune the Mandolin
Buying A Mandolin
If you are just beginning and you want a good mandolin just to learn on you should think of getting a cheaper one. Buy yourself a mandolin for around a hundred bucks and challenge yourself to learn to play. When you get to the point to where you consider yourself a good player and you are still serious then get yourself a nicer one.
When you buy a mandolin don't forget to get a strap, some tablature books, a new set of strings, and a case. Often you can get some or all of these included with your mandolin.
Here are some of the most popular mandolins available:
What You Need To Know To Buy The Right Mandolin
On this page you will find out what you need to know to help you make the best decision when it comes time for you to get yourself a mandolin.-
How To Buy A Mandolin
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If you are looking to buy a mandolin you are probably having a difficult time deciding on which one to get. There are a lot of different makes and models and prices can range from as low as $50 up to the tens of thousands! Yes, that is quite a big ra...
Kentucky KM-340S Artist A-Model Mandolin
The head has the classic style Kentucky mother-of-pearl inlay and a snakehead peghead with deluxe tuners.
Kentucky KM-340S Artist A-Model Mandolin
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $395.00
A-style mandolin with solid spruce top
Flamed maple back and sides
Maple neck with adjustable truss rod
Extended 29-fret bound and stained rosewood fretboard
15th fret neck/body joint
Lower Priced Mandolins
Keep in mind that the Kentucky suggested above would be considered a premium mandolin but not as much as a Gibson or some other prized mandolin models.
The mandolins listed below are not of the highest quality, but they are fine for learning to play on.
The Rogue RM-100A
Rogue RM-100A A-Style Mandolin, Sunburst
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $149.00
The Rogue RM-100A is a well-built, traditional A-model mandolin.
It features clean workmanship throughout and projects a bright tone with lots of bark. With an easy-to-play neck and adjustable bridge, the RM-100A is perfect for beginners.
Finishing touches include chrome tuners and nickel-plated frets.
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Kansas K-MA1B Mandolin
Kansas K-MA1B Mandolin, Sunburst
Amazon Price: $67.00 (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price: $99.95
Maple back and sides to project the sound.
Adjustable rosewood bridge enables you to set the string height to your liking.
Carrying bag.
Sunburst finish.
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Rogue RM100F F-Style Mandolin
RM100F F-Style Mandolin (Standard)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009)
List Price:
F-style body
Spruce top
Maple back and sides
24-fret neck
Extended ebony fingerboard
More Mandolins To Consider
Dean Tennesse A Mandolin
Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $324.99
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Epiphone Electric EFMB Mandobird IV, Vintage Sunburst
Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price:
Epiphone MM-30E Acoustic-Electric Mandolin, Antique Sunburst
Amazon Price: $199.00 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $332.00
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Epiphone MM-30 Mandolin, Antique Sunburst
Amazon Price: $179.00 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $298.00
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Saga Appalachian Mandolin
Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $119.99
Laugh at the Crazy Hillbilly Crackpot
This blog is a hilarious look at Hillbillies and Steretypes
If you enjoy reading really funny stuff you should check out this blog.
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Learn How To Play Banjo
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Whether you want to learn to play the banjo or you already play the banjo but you want to improve your playing style tablature and instructional videos are the way to go. The best banjo tablature includes the songs and lessons on CD so you can hear...
If You Like Bluegrass Check These Guys Out
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J D Crowe
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J. D. Crowe's full name is James Dee Crowe. J.D. was born in Lexington, Kentucky on Aug. 27, 1937 and is well known for his fantastic banjo playing. J.D. Crowe started playing the banjo when he was 13 after hearing Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs on t...
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Del McCoury
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Del McCoury, full name Delano Floyd McCoury, was born in Bakersfield, North Carolina on Feb. 1, 1939. When he was still very young Del's family moved to Pennsylvania. Del's big brother turned him on to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and in 1950 he bo...
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Bill Monroe
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Bill Monroe's full name was William Smith Monroe. Bill was born on a farm outside Rosine, Kentucky on Sept 13, 1911 to James and Malissa Monroe. When Bill Monroe died on Sept 9, 1996 the world lost one of the greatest and most influential bluegrass...
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Jimmy Martin
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Jimmy Martin was born in Sneedville, Tennessee on Aug. 10, 1927. His full name was James Henry Martin and he is called the King of Bluegrass. Jimmy died a few years ago. In May of 2005 he ended a long fight with cancer. Jimmy Martin had continued to...
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Ralph Stanley
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Ralph Stanley was born in Virginia on Feb 25, 1927 to Lee and Lucy Stanley. His full name is Ralph Edmond Stanley. As amazing it may sound Ralph's mother was the one who taught him to play the banjo. Lucy was among 12 children all of whom were accomp...
Visitor Comments And Feedback
What do you think about mandolins? Can you play one? Do you like to hear them?
jpetals wrote...
Being a blue grass fan, I love the mandolin!! What a wonderfully thorough lens. =)
Posted November 21, 2008
Kleppins_Kitchen wrote...
Interesting lens. I really enjoyed the journey. We have a Mandolin, four guitars, banjo, violin, Irish Bouzki, hammered dulcimer, hog nosed psaltry and at least 20 other instruments. Congratulations on your Graduation.
Posted November 15, 2008
chefkeem wrote...
I really like it how you provide a great introduction to this wonderful instrument and then follow up with lots of resources for folks who want to take it to the next step. 5*s and a hearty SquidAngel Blessing!
Posted November 07, 2008
LauraSchofield wrote...
Fantastic lens. That Sierra Hull is amazing. I've forwarded this on to my husband - he's a guitarist and loves bluegrass. Thanks - inspires you to pick up a mandolin.
Posted November 07, 2008
CCGAL wrote...
I love bluegrass music, and I play the mandolin (though not nearly as good as the little gal in your video!) and guitar, and collect other musical instruments. I enjoyed this lens tremendously. Good Job!!!
Posted November 06, 2008
by htsherpa
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