I just got my first mandolin after being a recovering guitarist for twelve or so years. :)
Question is... it's got 8 strings on it - each grouping has a different note. That part I get, however - are the strings that are in pairs set to an octave like a 12 string? And like a 12-string are the high strings the same pitch?
So that would make a total of 7 different individual notes?
OR...
Are each grouping supposed to be the exact same note (no octave difference) ??
Please reply and thanks in advance!
Shawn
Feel free to comment if you know... because I'd like to actually tune the thing and play it :)
The strings should be tuned in unison, at least that's what mine is tuned.
Steve-0
Ok, next stupid question...
if the string notes are identical... why put 2 there? For depth of sound?
Volume.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
And crosspicking............ think of 'Maggie May' and the mandolin part in that....... you are able to go so fast because you pick between the strings of the same note.
Check out these links.........
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page5297.htm (Crosspicking)
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page5296.htm (Mandolin Lessons)
I have a blast with my mandolin! I hope you do, too! :D
..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-
"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"
Wow, I'm sooo glad you posted those links.
That'll keep me busy! :)
The strings are tuned in unison for volume and to assist with tremolo. The standard tuning is GDAE (from lowest to highest). Also in the folk of the wood web plethora is this link...
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2617.htm
Strange that a music store has such in depth information on their webpage...
Another thing to try on your mando are chop chords, these are used a LOT in bluegrass music and can provide a percussive element in a group. Here's a link on that...
http://www.mandolincafe.com/bluegrass.html
I really love the mandolin and have had tons of fun with it. A word of caution though, change your strings one at a time being sure to leave tension on the bridge as mandolin bridges are generally not attatched to the instrument and will have to be reset for correct intonation if you remove all of the strings at once. Hope this helps.
[Edited once by Elecktrablue]
"Let's give the boy a lift."
"What? No. We can't stop here. This is bat country."
Dr. Gonzo & Raoul Duke
"And, you know, he's got emotional problems, man."
"You mean... beyond pacifism?"
The Dude & Walter Sobchak
Yea, mandolins, being so small, have very little sustain and volume, so the strings are doubled to get more of a sound. That's what gives them a cool jangly sound.
