How to play the mandolin

The mandolin is a stringed instrument of the lute family, distantly related to the guitar and the banjo. With four 'courses' of two strings, typical mandolins can have a round or tear-drop shaped soundboard and may have a round sound hole or f-holes. Typically associated with traditional or folk music, the instrument has also featured in many rock songs.

Basics

The first step to becoming a mandolin player is learning to tune the instrument. The four courses of two strings each are tuned as follows. The bottom, thickest strings should be tuned to note 'G', the next to 'D', the next to 'A' and the thinnest. most high-pitched strings to 'E'. A reliable 'A' note should be obtained from a pitch pipe, tuning fork or another instrument. Once this is done, hold the 'A' strings down at the seventh fret until they sound an' E', the top course of strings can be tuned from this note. Then, hold the third strings down at the seventh fret so they sound an A, adjust the second strings until they mimic this note. Hold the fourth strings down at the seventh fret, until they sound a D, adjust them until they sound the same as the third strings played open with no frets. Once you have tuned the mandolin strings satisfactorily, making sure that it has at least in tune with itself, you can learn some mandolin tunes and techniques. Hold the mandolin on your knee or hang it from your shoulder on a strap, making sure that your arm is horizontal from the elbow.

Making a Start

You need to make sure that you choose the right plectrum (pick) to play mandolin. Most mandolin players use a light pick. Clamp the plectrum between your thumb and the first and second joints of your first finger. Make sure that the pointy bit is towards the strings. Don't hold too tight and start to practise your picking technique by slowly picking notes on strings. Pluck slowly and don't rush, practising up and down strokes until you feel confident. A good way to practise your picking techniques once you are more confident is to learn scales. Before that, find a good mandolin tutor book from which you can find the fingerings to make chords. Mandolin tablature (easy to read music) is also available commercially and online to help you pick out the tunes you want to play. A good range of mandolin books is also available now.