Mandolin: Playing Chords Chording Chordal Techniques

Subject: Chords
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 16:34:49 -0800

Dear Mickey,

Greetings Pam,

Hi! I just received my Weber Y2K3 on Wednesday! I was originally going to get the Johnson MA120N but couldn't wait and your salesperson James talked me into the Weber vs Morgan Monroe or Kentucky , which seems right. It is a beautiful instrument. I played guitar previously so have been able to start off with some facility. However it seems for me it is easier to play individual notes(melodies and scales) than chords. (Is this strange?)

Not necessarily...it could be as simple as a mental block...one way to look at this is that melodies and scales are the basis for chords. Chords consist of scale intervals...for instance, the G Chord is based on the First, fourth and fifth tones of the major scale...the G chord is a G B D Major Triad...on the mandolin this chordal triad is very easy to place...and, you probably already know this formation...my suggestion would be to find inspiration in playing chords through a personal instructor or a video that teaches chords and how to fit them together on mandolin.

I am surprised at how hard it is to play chords, not the g, d or c, but any that have more than 2 strings. I am glad this is not the first instrument I have played. I love the sound and am working on crosspicking and all as in your video and book. I guess I am surprised at how hard I need to press for chord sounds. Will this get easier and/ or am I making it harder than it is? I thought since it was only four(eight strings) vs 6 string guitar it might be the same or easier. Please advise.

Okay, it sounds like you've already pursued what I suggest above...sorry I didn't read ahead...
So, the real problem is pressing the strings down so that the chordal tones ring true:

Try playing each chordal note with the very tips of your fingers...and, be sure to be pressing down directly behind the fret. On most steel string instruments, there's also a transition period where your callouses have to be built up...to add comfort to pressing down harder. Keep in mind, when playing with the tips of your fingers, and keeping your thumb directly behind the neck, and focusing on fretting directly behind each fret, the chords should become somewhat easier to play...and shouldn't need the same force to press down.

Hope something here helps, Mickey

I do love the instrument and will keep at it daily.
Thanks!
Pam Stoutenburg