Learn Every Major and Minor Chord - Mandolin Lesson

Website: www.MandoLessons.com
Join The MandoLessons Academy: academy.mandolessons.com/mand...
My Comprehensive Mandolin Course: academy.mandolessons.com/the-...
Buy Me A Coffee: www.mandolessons.com/donate
My Favorite Gear: imp.i114863.net/mandolessons
Newsletter: academy.mandolessons.com/newsl...
Play Along Tracks: MandoLessons.Bandcamp.com
My Albums: www.mandolessons.com/store
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DISCLOSURE
MandoLessons is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Sweetwater Affiliate Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
If you purchase something from my affiliate links, I will get a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my videos!
I do not collect, store, use, or share any data about you.

[@HBSuccess]

Guitar is my main instrument so this is a tip for others trying to figure out the Mando. What you have is the lowest 4 strings of your guitar - upside down. So take any guitar chord shapes on the bottom 4 and flip them over - voila..Mando chords. Not perfect voicing maybe but beats making a fool out of yourself at the Sunday jam.

[@MandoLessons]

Good thought! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnharreld4875]

That just blew my mind! I had a similar epiphany when I tried to move from guitar to ukulele, how I could translate all the chord shapes I already know and didn't have to memorize anything new. Thanks to this I had the same feeling moving to mandolin (which I inherited two I can't yet play). GOLDEN, thanks!

[@SteveMeiers]

I do the same, works great for me. That with the two finger shapes for G, C, and D major and E & A minor got me off and running quickly on the rythem and finger-picking side. This lesson adds the barr chord versions of those two-finger shapes allowing play in any key. Scales next. Good stuff!

[@wiidlbeetle3857]

Damnit! Coming to mando from guitar too and that didn’t even occur to me! Thanks for the tip!

[@larryrhindress2972]

It is so confusing with the mandolin strings in an upside down order compared to a guitar. I guess that it will just take time to get it!!!

[@willmarona4188]

Well....lots of guitar players here. Me... I’m a banjo player( old time) and love the symmetry of mandolin. Ill be running through this a couple more times as I’ve been at this for 3 weeks. Got to say I’m having a blast with this instrument. Thank you for your whole series !!!

[@jack002tuber]

Great lesson. Knowing the I IV V chords can get you playing most all common folk, bluegrass and gospel songs

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks! I agree!

[@HugoWestfield]

For my mandolin playing this has been one of the most helpful videos I’ve found. Thank you very much for sharing and teaching!

[@acidwizzardbastard]

In a couple of weeks I'll be getting my own mandolin, so I'll definitely keep checking out this channel.

[@kimw6698]

Thank you thank you. I am a brand new player and I struggled a long time tonight trying to get the A chord. I think this just saved my sanity!!

[@nicholassansouci2840]

Very helpful for a guitar player who doesn't know much about the mandolin! Thank you!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@adonisjosue7509]

I dont mean to be off topic but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me!

[@casonwaylon8780]

@Adonis Josue instablaster ;)

[@adonisjosue7509]

@Cason Waylon i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@adonisjosue7509]

@Cason Waylon It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@charlesullian1475]

This is an excellent approach to learning mandolin (or fiddle double stop) chords. It cuts through the over accumulative and confusing rhetoric of music theory and gives you a clear mental image of chord patterns, all from only two shapes; one for major chords and one for minor chords. It is applicable theory reduced down to it's most basic (applicable) form. This is undoubtedly the absolute fastest way for someone to become a mandolin player. Thanks so much for this lesson.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks, that is what I was aiming for! I'm glad it helps!

[@jacobhurley9587]

Dude. You nailed it. I have 17 years of experience with guitar and just got a mandolin. This shit had me baffled until I saw this. Now with zero training and in less than 10 mins I am a passable mandolin player

[@jamesrex2814]

Thank you so much for a great clear lesson. No nonsense or showing off, just chords as we need them. The Best lesson I have found. Well done.

[@skinnykarlos710]

After years of all styles of guitar and violin, I decided to tinker with the mandolin. Your lessons are helping me enormously. Thank you.

[@mrbrown6421]

Great to reboot my brain: Around 2006 I abandoned the guitar and picked up the fiddle where I learned (finally) how to play and READ sheet music (Music of the Scottish Highlands, for some reason). So now, in 2019, I abandoned my fiddle, dusted off the Ibenez guitar, removed 2 strings, shuffled some around, and tuned it to fiddle GDAE (which is the same as the mandolin). So NOW, I can play all my Scottish music on my electric guitar, but I needed a primer on chords, and you delivered flawlessly! Thanks again! North Central Florida

[@maidenracer1]

That was a very good lesson, for someone who doesn't have a clue on what to do on a mandolin, made it very clear and simple

[@drmarymusic]

I got my first mandolin yesterday. Have played guitar for many years and your little lesson is very helpful and helps cut to the meat of playing. Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to make this a no brainer! :0)

[@MandoLessons]

Woohoo! Welcome to the world of mandolins!

[@laurarichardson807]

This is exactly what I needed to take my knowledge to the next level, thanks!!!!!!

[@You-can-fix-it-yourself]

X-C-Lent video. Simple instructions that open a whole world of beautiful music and tons of fun. The Mandolin is one of the funnest instruments to play and you have doubled it.!!

[@karendelury5581]

Thank you so much for this lesson! I’ve been struggling trying to learn the basic chords. I find it’s much easier to memorize patterns from one shape by using the basic musical alphabet. Much appreciated:-)

[@danstraussmusic]

Wow, thanks! Went through lots of intro mando lessons and this is the most straight forward and helpful.

[@ronniecraft3895]

this lesson helped a lot , now hook a melody from chord to chord ! thanks for sharing

[@mickk5006]

Hey awesome stuff! What you posted last year just helped me a ton just now. The 'aiming for the middle strings', when playing the G/D strings to get a full sounding chord really helped me.

[@MandoLessons]

Excellent! I am glad you found it useful!

[@thesuddenheir]

Super helpful video. I hadn't seen such a clear description of the movable chord shapes. Placing the finger between the two courses provides a much cleaner sound than trying to bar the neck. Thanks for the videos!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@mariozammit521]

One of the most instructive mandolessons out there. Great job. .

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks so much!

[@irishguy13]

I wish every teacher were as empathetic and clear. Thanks.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you are enjoying the lessons!

[@ruthfuraus2853]

Wow! Thank you! That was fantastic! I can't believe how much I just learned!

[@lukebrinkman759]

Never before have I wished that I had thicker fingers.

[@smollilsquish6981]

Tell me about it :3

[@oldiesaubrey1989]

I have super small fingers :(

[@wiidlbeetle3857]

@@oldiesaubrey1989 if you play then keep playing until you get callouses on your fingers. The hardness of the callouses make a big difference, I’m new to mandolin but I’ve been playing bass guitar for almost 30 years. Not that you asked for my advice lol

[@omarbarba4729]

I have been looking at cords in a book. Could not get index finger to press both sets of strings and hold down the pinky and ring finger. Your video has made it easy to hold the form and play a nice clean tone. Thank you, sir,

[@MandoLessons]

Woohoo! I'm glad it is working out for you!

[@waynereneea7520]

Omar Barba Same for me too!!

[@bloodontherosewood2805]

I play guitar and bass and some other instruments over 10 years, now I thought I take a new one for try, and thanks to this I managed to learn all the Major/Minor chords in 2 hours :-)

[@johngault5214]

I will look at mandolin chords in another way now. Good lesson. Thanks

[@jerrysimon6938]

I just found this tonight - and what a great resource it is! Thank you so much, tutors like you are so generous, putting up good quality teaching for free. I will able to also use these lessons to help me learn to play the beautiful tenor mandola I bought in the summer as well as my mandolin, Thanks again.

[@MandoLessons]

Jerry Simon Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you are enjoying the site!

[@jfordfiddlesstl]

Been struggling with the instrument for a year. Can't get the chords... Now I think I've got it. Where have you been all my mando life?

[@MandoLessons]

Hiding in the deep dark recesses of the internet! Thanks for watching!

[@PictureMontereyTV]

This is really clear and useful! It opens so many ways to get passed same ole g, c, d tedium!

[@rosedixie8272]

That's a brilliant lesson, thanks for taking the time to explain that, it's really helpful. Just bought the mandolin and have played guitar for a while and this has unlocked the A, E patterns from guitar that we can't do without. Thanks for sharing. Lx

[@MandoLessons]

Great! They are definitely very helpful shapes to have under your fingers. Thanks for watching!

[@TheWaveydee]

Yes I agree - perfect intro to basic chords for this instrument - Thanks.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks!

[@thisiscarlymac]

This was a very helpful lesson, thankyou so much. I play uke and just started mandolin. This has broken down a lot of shit that will make it possible to jam around with it. 'preciate, man. :)

[@louisdutoya857]

Please can you make a tutorial about improvisation or pentatonics please? Your way of teaching is very clear :)

[@Yumabillion]

Thank you, this is just what I needed. I already play several wind instruments and know the music theory behind playing, so it's very nice to just show the technical portion of playing.

[@pablo6305]

Thank you mister mandolin. Was at dead end road heading nowhere and you have opened a new path . i think i sound like bottom of steaming pile

[@srtakilmer]

Brilliant. Thank you! This was very well organized.

[@MandoLessons]

srtakilmer Thanks!

[@GrantRamone]

Thanks so much for these videos. They're great! I'm hopefully buying my first mandolin in a couple of weeks and I already feel like I know my way around the neck well enough to start playing some basic stuff. I would have been totally lost otherwise.

[@MandoLessons]

Excellent! You'll get the hang of it in no time!

[@McAfeeMichelle]

THANK YOU!!!! Your lessons are super effective and incredibly helpful :)

[@mandobaron]

Thanks for watching!

[@clawhammer704]

Learned something today.....thanks........it's a right angle

[@bknutson6]

Great lesson. Thanks. I was looking for a lesson on moveable chords for the mandolin and this was perfect.

[@MandoLessons]

+Bill Knutson Glad to hear it, they are definitely handy things to know!

[@billdavies6158]

Brilliant video,very informative I've learned so much thank you for sharing.

[@michaelkato642]

basic chords ...this is instant filling it...I heard Les Paul describe playing as keeping is simple ....and being on time...I have purchased a mandolin for my grand daughter and your lesson is perfect for fundamentals ...keep the instructions coming....nicely done

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks, I'm glad you like them! New lessons every Thursday! Thanks, Baron

[@ToddLorencUkuleleMusic]

Wow this is excellent teaching my friend

[@vegtamvanderveg]

This is incredible helpful!

[@josephbarker6075]

thankyou im a guitar player who started a few weeks ago on mandolin i love it great lesson

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it! It's a great instrument!

[@janadobson9647]

Very helpful! Thanks so much for making this video.

[@THETYMEKK12]

Great video, it really made everything easier.

[@shakyhandpictures2185]

Thank you, beautifully done!

[@casperquinn5142]

thanks a lot I've just started and this was really helpful

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@dotarajagot7916]

osm .......elder brother... your teaching are vary help ful for us..... thank you thank you

[@zippityzoop2576]

Holy crap this blew my mind and made everything click, thanks a lot. Great approach!

[@MandoLessons]

So glad to hear it!

[@hollymoran4535]

So helpful! Thank you.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks!

[@bradleylaird]

Good sounding mandolin! Nice work... Good luck with the site!

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks, Brad!

[@Watcher-op9pi]

Thank you , thank you !!

[@ben_raem]

Thanks, this was the lesson I was looking for!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@valisprochazka2597]

Good lesson. Thanks!

[@harrymiller1413]

Thanks so much for this, very helpful!

[@Hello-pl2qe]

I will pick up my mandolin tomorrow morning and become Jimi hendrix. Thank you

[@reckonimokie123]

Another great lesson

[@drmarymusic]

I'd love to see your video on playing fills, if you have one! Maybe if I search your uploads I'll find one. Thanks, again.

[@MandoLessons]

There is a whole series of them in the works! I am going to start publishing them once the beginner series is done. Thanks!

[@michaelfrancisco7238]

Fantastic lesson!

[@RobCastro]

Nicely broken down. Thanks for sharing.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks for watching!

[@jsphillip60]

Awesome lesson!

[@battlehrfred]

EXCELLENTTT ,100-100

[@Seaguld]

very well done sir. Thanks.

[@MandoLessons]

Thank you very much!

[@bladesaint21mr]

Excellant info!

[@4dixieland]

great post thanks

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you

[@jeffanderson8384]

This is awesome!! Thank you!

[@gulumayroz]

absolutely great format. when going up from first to the 4th chord (from g to c shape) why not press both E and A strings, on the same fret, with the same finger (pinky for me)for a 4 string chord, instead of playing without the e string? (same for the minor pattern?)

[@EvanDD0127]

Awesome! Thanks for this!

[@megalopolis2015]

Maybe if I watch this enough times it'll seep into my subconscious. One can only hope.

[@hadleymanmusic]

Luv it!!

[@Mandolin1944]

The patterns are cool -- obvious once you see them but handy to have!

[@MandoLessons]

Mandolin1944 Exactly! Thanks for watching!

[@TIMSTRUMENT]

cool i'm on my way good job!

[@lindan9255]

great lesson-so helpful!!

[@MandoLessons]

Linda N Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffreyogden8802]

Good lesson. Thx.

[@mendadent]

great lesson!

[@flyacessna]

sick dude, thanks. That was way helpful!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it!

[@95jokerman]

Great stuff

[@EnriquedeMesa]

awesome. Thanks a lot!!!!

[@tamaralefevre7694]

thank you!..this was so helpful!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@BeeS-uj4hq]

sorry if you've already covered this somewhere but do you use specific mandolin picks or a guitar pick (it looks like a guitar pick here?)? do you find any particular gauge works best? And how do you hold the pick (I've played the guitar for years and never learnt to hold the pick "properly", new instrument gives me motivation to actually re-learn this basic thing!!) Thank you for making these videos, I find your channel so helpful!

[@southerncomfortuk]

Great explanation thank you so much 🙏👏👏

[@theonesickman]

I need finger yoga to make them bend that way.

[@darrelsalmon3305]

Excellent video man. Thank you for sharing

[@MandoLessons]

Darrel Salmon Thanks for watching!

[@darrelsalmon3305]

Your welcome

[@mirekklemens662]

New Subscriber 👍 My regards from New York. ❤👍👍

[@dzaneh]

excellent lesson !!

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks!

[@seasharpdeflat]

Good lesson.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks!

[@Epsilon1247]

thank you so much

[@MandoLessons]

Josiah Nelson Thanks for watching!

[@CliveWebbAustralia]

First class lesson mate

[@samen.3580]

Wow thanks this really helped!!

[@MandoLessons]

Sammy Vlogs Glad to hear it, thanks!

[@reckonimokie123]

Good lesson

[@jdlgwood06]

Very helpful!!!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear it!

[@debarajdiary8186]

Helpful for new learnee

[@ckillgore]

So on the A chord shape you show, when you move the 4-5 frets to the D and A strings to create a D chord, you don't play the E string. But you could do the same thing you do with the 2nd fret on the A chord on the fifth fret of the D chord, playing the fifth fret on the E string and A string together. My question is, why don't you do this? Is there some music theory reason why this would be bad? I know it would be doubling up on the fifth in the chord instead of the root, but I really prefer playing all four strings in my chord shapes. I have been building my own chords for the most part, just looking at the scale, and where on the fret board those notes are, and picking a shape I like best, or think sounds good to me. By not taking octave into account, am I building bad chords? Should the root always be lowest? Does the third always have to be in the middle, and the fifth the highest? Is it bad to double up on the third or fifth if your fingers can't reach a root? Like I said, I really don't like chords that only use three strings, and I tend to try to build the chord as low on the fret board as possible since I am trying to play modern rhythm guitar songs and not music written for mandolin. For instance, I would play a Dminor as 2-0-0-1. Am I making a huge mistake, and should I just get used to this pattern and get accustomed to not playing the E string? Or are the chords I'm building acceptable chords if they work for my purposes? Also, I use my thumb on the g string a lot? Is that bad? Sometimes I use it on the D string too.... And I have even used it on the A string to play a Asus2 as 2-2-2-0. Am I doing something wrong? Please help.

[@Wolffe5151]

by far the most helpful video I have seen to advance my "jamablity". thank you, Sir!

[@MandoLessons]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! May your jamability prosper!

[@Antnelson13]

AWESOME VID

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks!

[@clawhammer704]

I saw Bill Monroe use this shape also along with full cords within the same song.

[@andrewpeterson5882]

Good way to change up the voicing. The standard bluegrass chop chord shape is a very closed voicing (the notes are about as close to each other along the scale as possible) which gives a very specific sound, this voicing gives a more open sound. Just depends on what you want to do!

[@Docleegb]

Is it bad technique to barre chords as is commonly done on guitar? I will do that for b minor, barring the lower two strings