Mandolin for Cellists and Bassists

Date: Fri, 28 May 2004 12:03:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Similarities?

Folkwood,

I was just wondering whether the mandolin has the same
fingerings as the bass guitar, cello and bass. I know
cello and bass are the same also bass but is mandolin?
Other than the fact that it is in treble clef and the
others are in bass.

Thank you for your time,
Jenna

Greetings Jenna,

The mandolin is entirely different:
1. A different tuning than bass and cello: GDAE...the cello comes close since it's tuned in fifths at CGDA...the bass is tuned in fourths...
2. The scale length: the scale on a mandolin is far shorter allowing for easy reaches for melodies, chords and scales.

3. The thickness of the neck...the neck on a mandolin is easier for a smaller hand to grasp...

So, there are many differences...in my opinion, the mandolin would be quite a bit easier to learn than both Bass and Cello on a basic level...i.e. learning chords and a few simple melodies...on an advanced level, they're all difficult to learn....

Mickey