Getting Started

Before you can play the mandolin, you will need to learn to hold the mandolin.

 This is more important than you think it is. Don’t skip over this section!

Mandolins sound much better when they are in tune so here is a quick and easy way to get your mandolin sounding sweet.

Two basic wrist actions: one for picking and one for strumming.

Don Julin

 This video lesson demonstrates some picking techniques that will get you headed in the right direction.

With these five chords you can take on the world! Maybe not, but you can play hundreds of songs using only these five chords.

Making Some Music

You may know this melody as "Love Me Tender" but it is much older than that. Elvis put words to this traditional folk song and made millions.

Dividing the beat by two, three, and four. AKA 1/8 notes, triplets, and 16th notes.

Ahhh... Beethoven. Nothing like a bit of the old Ludwig Van.

Which finger goes on which fret?

Skip, Skip, Skip to my Lou 

The Red River Valley is a good old cowboy song. Picture yourself out on the trail with an old dusty mandolin, a campfire, and a can of beans and your trusty horse. In black & white of course, as many of the great cowboy films were done before color film was standard.

 This is an old civil war era song by Stephen Foster. Some folks call this tune Angeline The Baker. It has become a standard old-time fiddle tune that almost everyone at the jam session will know. This is a great choice for your first fiddle tune.

The Flop Eared Mule is a great place to start your exploration of the world of fiddle tunes. This one is fun and fairly easy to play.

Soldier's Joy is a jam session favorite that you should know.

The Guitar Boogie is an easy way to start putting a little blues in your mandolin playing.

Preview

Tara Linhardt