Irish Mandolin Lessons / Tuning

Mandolin Lessons And Tuning For The Irish Mandolin. This is a guide to get you started, once you learn the 

basics you'll soon be on your way to reading standard sheet music. 

Mandolin Scale

Playing tremolo on the mandolin is really what the 
mandolin is all about as it's a melodic instrument.
Melodic meaning the mandolin plays the lead melody
of the tune or song. Playing real sustained tremolo
takes plenty of practise.
Tremolo is where you play rapid re-ireration on each
of the notes in the tune. The aim is to get these notes with the plectrum very fast as to make the mandolin strings give a continuous sound.

The mandolin is tuned the same way as the Irish tenor banjo is tuned, the violin is also tuned the same way. The only difference is there are double strings producing the same note.

Start slow with your wrist held loosly and play with one down stroke marked like the figure ''n'' to each note, the symble that looks like the letter ''U'' is the upwards stroke which is played towords your head with the plec held firm but not too tight. Remember to keep the wrist loose.

Mandolin / Banjo Tabs

Chords On The Mandolin
 
The mandolin is also use to play chords which are mostly used to accompany songs rather that tunes. The songs on this site use mostly three or four chords. The diagram of chord shapes are the ones used the most here. There are many alternative ways to play these chords on the mandolin but the shapes I have below are the easiest way.