Mel Bay Deluxe Encyclopedia Of Mandolin Chords
by John Baxter
Book Summary Information
Author: John BaxterEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2000-03-13
ISBN: 0786647973
Number of pages: 72
Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
Book Reviews of Mel Bay Deluxe Encyclopedia Of Mandolin Chords
Book Review: QUICK START FOR CHORDS & CHORD TONES
Summary: 4 Stars
Showing Bluegrass , Jazz & moveable chords - excellent for beginners to intermediates, with contributions by Scott Tichenor (chord types) & John Bird (practice tips).
The following tips are by a layman for the layperson.
So where do you start ? Why use chords, which chords do you use, why so many variations, what is the best way to practice, what chords go together, why cant I get a simple answer to my questions (the Russian Doll syndrome).
THE MAGIC NUMB3RS:
5 - 'Pentatonic Scale' - (5 Notes) the ancient 5 note scale (a, c, d, f, g) - the same scale in ancient Celtic, Greek and Chinese music - the black-keys on the piano.
7 - 'Natural' notes - the Harmonics frequencies found in nature from which A to G notes were developed. You have seven days a week, seven primary colors, seven letters ('naturals'- notes without flats/sharps in a scale- A to G - the white keys on the piano.
12 - 'Chromatic Scale' - includes subdivisions on the Naturals that Western ears can distinguish (Eastern music has upto 24) and includes the sharps/flat notes.
KEYS
The key of the melody, is the most important note of the melody and is usually the last note and with the chord of the same name.
The Key of G (KoG) there are seven melody notes, without the sharps/flats, the KoA seven notes are A, B, C#, D, E, F# and G.
Most melodies will finish on the key note this then becomes the Key Chord.
For American music the key notes frequency order is GACDEFB.
For Irish tunes the KoC will comprise of 80% of folk tunes and will finish on a C note and 90% of them will have a group of 3 related chords or chord set (CFG) for the key of C.
The chord set relationship of chords is called the 'I-IV-V' chord progression (major chords built on the 1st,4th & 5th note).
So if the chord progression is in the Key of G - you most likely will have cords G,C, D or D7 (1,IV,V).
So from the Key of `G' (KoG) to the Key of `A' (KoA), you can think of seven main groups of chords that go together (depending on the Key).
In terms of frequency of use: KoC-CFG, KoG-GCD, KoD-DGA, KoA-ADE, KoE-EAB, KoB-BEF#, KoF#-F#BC#.
CIRCLE of FIFTHS
A pattern of Chord relationships with the previous and past chords emerges as follow -
This relationship of the 7 Natural groups of chords can be expressed in the circle of chords (12 major chords including flats/sharps and double this for the minors)..
Note that some chords are the same (Bb=A#, Eb=D#, Ab=G#, Db=C#).
In an alpha order (not the circle of 1/5ths) KoA=1 to KoG=7:-
KoA 1-ADE, KoE 5-EAB KoB 2-BEF#, KoF# 7-F#BC#, KoC 3-CFG, KoG 4-GCD, KoD 5-DGA.
Rag Time Chord Progressions usually follow -
3-6-2-5-1.
For example if in D (1='D') - then F#,B, E7,A7,D
Folk Music chord progressions usually follow -
1 - 3/6(minor) - 2 (minor/major) - 5 - 1
WHERE TO USE CHORDS:-
---------------------------------------
You use chords to provide backup harmonies/melody to a singer. See the Nashville Numbering system for a systematic approach to playing by ear.
Listen to a recording of a good bass player/guitarist and practice against their style. Get a form that you are comfortable with.
Variations of the same chord occur due to ease of chord shapes, harmonies, ascending and descending melodies.
For the absolute beginner - try 'Fun with the Mandolin' below.
USE OF CHORD TONES:-
-----------------------------------
You may wish to embellish a melody (especially slow airs) to avoid `typewriter' style by exchanging a few melody notes with chords.
A Triad chord is made of 3 notes, with 4 strings you can have up to 4 notes in your chord.
Your chord can have 3 main variations (also others) -
variation1=1,3,5,1octave (as above), variation2=3,5,1octave,5octave and variation3=5,1octave,3octave,5octave (Remember those Arpeggios ?).
The chord 7th is another variation with the 7th note (= `F' if in this case if `G'=1) and hence `G7'.
So from the melody note you can substitute a variation of the notes (1,3,5 & Extensions 7,9,11,13) or octaves.
If your melody note is `G' for example (this becomes =#1 or root), your 3rd note is `B', 5th is `D' and 7th is 'F'.
So then with the four strings try various combinations of (Notes: 1,3,5,7 or 'x'-not used) on the strings to see which compliment the melody note being replaced.
You will find a sound and configuration that will be comfortable.
You should DRAW out a TAB diagram of the stings with the notes upto at least the 12th fret.
Start collecting the chords you use and note the sequence (1,3,5,7 and other notes).
Google your favorite tune name and chords to find a starting point for the chords.
Chord Shapes and Practice:-
--------------------------------
Start with 2 finger chords (see on MandolinCafe website). The FFcP/4FcP (four finger closed position -i.e. no open strings) allow you to go up the neck in a Chord scale.
Practice each day starting with 30mins/day.
Relax the fingers and think of where to move.
1st move the `Luidin' (pinkie), then slide along any using the same strings, then place the other fingers on new strings. If a finger is crossing more than one string make sure your thumb is providing the counter pressure opposite the location of that finger (to give it added strength).
Practice the different groupings (starting with the KoC/KoG above). Do 4 strums in a steady `Tick Tock' grandfather clock rhythm with a steady right hand arm movement and maintaining without a pause while you change chords on the 5th strum.
When more proficient go clockwise and then anticlockwise around the Circle of Fifths.
Practice chord progressions from the Delux Encyclopedia'' (Mc Cabe and Music theory pages 70 & 71).
Practice your personal chord variation list to hear the differences in each chord variation.
Practice the Perpetual Motion chords (lessons on MandolinCafe site).
Suggested Reading :-
------------------
(Top Class Overview DVD) 'How Music Works' by Howard Goodall [www.Howard.Goodall.Com]; Howard Goodall's Big Bangs [2008] [Region 1]DVD ~ Howard Goodall ASIN: B0017HEY98; Big Bangs: Five Musical Revolutions by Howard Goodall 070116932X;
Reference booklet `Music Theory 101' by Larry McCabe ISBN:0786659491;The AB Guide to Music Theory Vol 1 by Taylor, Eric ISBN1854724460; Evolution of the Art of Music by Parry;
The Nashville Number System by Chas Williams 0963090674;
Mike Marshall Mastering Chords & Theory DVD ASIN: B0013UQUV4;
Niles Hokkanen's GUIDE TO MANDOLIN CHORDS ( AND HOW TO USE THEM) by Niles Hokkanen . ... ISBN:
Mel Bay Deluxe Encyclopedia Of Mandolin Chords by John Baxter 0786647973;
The Mandolin Chord Book by James Major 0825622964(possible chord sets for each key);
'Fun with the Mandolin' by Mel Bay (9780871664501-without the CD, 2 finger chords);
Also -
You
Mandolin by Ear by Jack Hatfield 0786607149
Folk Harp music Arrangements' by Silvia Woods ISBN:093666102X;
Chord Tone Soloing (Guitar) by Barrett Tagliarino 0634083651;
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