Bouzouki and Octave Mandolin Chording Techniques and Inversions

Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 19:57:18 +0000
Subject: Mandola/Octave Mandolin scale length

Hi Mickey,

I make string instruments for a hobby. Recently I completed an electric
mandola or octave mandolin depending on how it is tuned. Scale length is
18-1/2 inches. I chose that scale because it is short enough that most
mandola/mandolin closed chords can still be fingered in first position.
Also it is long enough to string and tune as an octave mandolin. In octave
tuning a capo at the fifth fret for mandola tuning was also in mind.

Presently it has standard medium gauge mandolin strings on it. It sounds
great with mandola tuning. A slight increase in tension is noticeable, but
is no problem. Needless to say, down tuning to octave tuning leaves a lot to
be desired in tone; there being almost no tension on the strings. It's
somewhere around nine or ten pounds I think. The string tension calculator
on the www.mcdonaldstrings.com/stringxxiii.html web site recommends for this
octave mandolin tuning as follows; E-.014, A-.022, D-.034 G-52.

My problem is thus. I play mandolin rhythm backup for the church praise and
worship team. We recently lost the guitar player by his moving to the lower
48. The bass backup is what we call a snow bird up here in Alaska. That is,
he flies south for the winters. This leaves me to do mandolin backup
chop-don't sound to good solo does it. The idea is to do guitar style
chords on an octave mandolin or a mandola. What are your thoughts on the
situation? Sincerely, Richard

Greetings Richard,

I believe the Octave tuning fills in very nicely in most any band setting...and can take the place of guitar back-up...especially if you ride the bass with moving lines that harmonically support the melody lines. I used to play a lot of mandolin back-up for a duet. And, no doubt, the chop only works within short passages. It's best to play a bass strum pattern...such as in 4/4 you would play the bass on the downbeat...and then on the second beat do a down/up strum...and then repeat this with the 3 and 4 beats. Usually, this works best by playing mostly in the open position when backing up one other instrument, while using more closed position when playing in a full band...in the closed positions, you'll want to let the chords ring for a fuller back-up and use the comping, where you deaden the chord directly after the strum, when wanting more of a drum or syncopated effect.

I would lean towards the octave for a better low end over the mandola. Hope this helps, Mickey

Subject: mandolin vs octave mandolin

Hi Mickey,
I'm getting the Johnson octave mandolin, and already have a mandolin. Everyone I've asked says that the chords and fingering should be the same. Is this true? I wanted to get the instructional video, but it makes it sound like the way to play it is completely different. I can learn that way if it may be better, but do you know if I can play it the same if I want to?
Also, you have such a great website which is so helpful! Thanks, Ellen

Greetings Ellen,

Glad to assist if I can:

The chords are somewhat different on the octave as compared to the mandolin...the scale length of the octave demands completely different inversions...(an inversion is a chord formation)

For instance, when playing two-finger open position chords such as G or C, you'll find them to easily match up to the octave fingerboard...however, when needing to play full chords, or closed-position chords, you'll end up with entirely different fingerings due to the stretch required...

I have produced chord charts of which I've included as an pdf attachment...

Here's a link to the PDF File:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3049.htm

Hope the above helps...Mickey

Subject: Bouzouki and Octave Mandolin Chord Chart
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 06:44:23 -0400

Hi Mickey
My name is David Allen Slusser. You posted a question of mine on the Internet about Fiddle strings. Well I have another question. I am trying to learn the Bouzouki, and since I play the Mandolin anyway it seem the next logical step ( and I love the sound. ) So here's the problem I'm having, I need a chord chart. I am using the standard GDAe mandolin tuning and the chord configuration for standard mandolin chords is too much of a stretch on some of the chords. So I was wondering, is there an alternate set of chords for the Bouzouki in the GDAe tuning, or do I have to retune the instrument and is that going to cause a problem for me with the current set of stock strings??
The instrument arrived already tuned ( somewhat closely) to the GDAe tuning. So if you can help I would appreciate it greatly and can you tell me where to get a chord chart off the net? I've searched every where. I have found links to some, but I don't seem to be able to open them or they're not for the tuning I want.
Please point me in the right direction. Your help with the fiddle strings was right on the mark.
Thanks
Dave

Greetings Dave,

No need to retune the instrument...I, myself, play zook in this tuning.

I have some chord charts for the GDAE tuning for Octave Mandolin...most all of these inversions would apply directly to the Bouzouki. The focus on this first section is the open position inversions that fit for long scale instruments. I'm hoping to add to this chart for closed position inversions. This chord chart, along with further instruction on chording, can be found on the new "Intro to Octave Mandolin" video.

Please find attached the entire chord charts laid out for longer scale Octave instruments in the GDAE tuning in PDF Format.

Octave/Bouzouki in Octave Tuning Chord Charts

At your disposal, FOTW