I'm Learning the Mandolin
I've been recruited by my bandmates to learn the mandolin parts on Going to California. We know our John Paul Jones is supposed to play them, but our Plant already has the guitar parts down, and we thought I might pick up the mando parts quicker. Our Jones recently bought one and loaned it to me so I could learn these parts and teach him in the future.
I've never played a mandolin before. I knew there were four courses (pairs) of strings. I didn't know it was tuned like a violin. I assumed it was tuned with the same intervals as a guitar and I'd have all the fingerings down. Good thing there are no chords in Going to California; I'll need to learn them all anew. I found some really helpful and accurate mandolin tablature for the song though. I can pick up most of it by ear, but that should move things along. I'm excited for Battle of Evermore.
Next step is to learn to play like this guy:
Sans Direction (3 Nov 2009 at 9:59am)
Mandolins are fun, and once you get your head around it, you'll find that tuning in fifths makes the fretboard layout much more elegant than guitar layout for melodic playing. And, until you get your bearings, it works to think of the mando as the low four strings of a guitar flipped over for chords.
And Chris Thile is just a monster, isn't he?
Joe (4 Nov 2009 at 4:14pm)
I'm seeing the elegance already. No more hiccup between the 2nd and 3rd strings.
As for flipping over guitar chords, ew. I'll get my bearings ASAP before I have to resort to that. Cool tip, but it seems like an addictive crutch I'd rather avoid.
Sarssipius (13 Nov 2009 at 6:40pm)
Might be the next instrument I would try... You're shredding the mandolin!! :-)
gorehound1313 (20 Nov 2009 at 10:23am)
Doubling on another string instrument forces you to think of the notes, before you play them. It gives you a chance to re-learn scales and chords.
I find this is a good teaching tool. My students are naturally interested when they see a Banjo, Dobro, Lap-Steel or Uke. Learning a scale on a another instrument, WILL make you a better Guitarist.
Have you tried Open G mando tuning(GDGD)?
Sans Direction (20 Nov 2009 at 4:04pm)
Going to lap steel, you also have to start developing your intonation as part of your ear and your hands, rather than something you set with a screwdriver and tuner when you get new strings.
Joe (21 Nov 2009 at 9:52pm)
Never heard of open G mando tuning. Seems like it could sound really cool.
The intonation issue comes up on slide playing too. I've never practiced it much, but I better get on it since Jimmy had a few slide solos.
Update on the mando: I performed Going to California with the band last Saturday. It was poorly miked, and I don't think anyone could hear the mandolin parts, but at least I knew what I was doing. We'll take the time to get a better sound next time. Meanwhile, I've returned the bassist's mando, and I'm looking for my own now, perhaps with a built-in pickup and output.