Ask me which weird musical instrument you should learn this summer

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Ask me which weird musical instrument you should learn this summer

Ratatozsk: Mar 6, 2007; Had we turned left instead, we may have encountered something like this...

I've recently started toying around with an old mandolin I dragged out of the basement. I've got a few chords down and there's a fair amount of tab to be found out on the internet to keep me busy. But for the life of me, an A chord is damned difficult. There's no way I can fret two adjacent strings with just my index (or middle) finger, but it's also a challenge to cram both of them in there to get the G and D on the same fret.

# ¿ Jul 1, 2011 18:46

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ May 1, 2024 05:37

Ratatozsk: Mar 6, 2007; Had we turned left instead, we may have encountered something like this...

TapTheForwardAssist posted:

I was momentarily confused, until I managed to envision what you must be doing. I take it you're trying to form the chord 2245, yes? And you're trying to use the tip of a finger to cover the 22 part. Try instead barring all the way across the 2222 with your index finger, middle on the four, ring on the 5.

I'd though this was pretty much standard, but found thread at Mandolin Cafe that discusses s few options. Though I still think barring is easier for a lot of the up-the-neck chords. Do note that you can take that A shape and slide it up one fret to be a Bb, another two to C, etc.

Speaking of such things, this book (mentioned earlier in the thread) is the absolute best book on mandolin chords I've ever seen. It's not so much a chord dictionary, as a little booklet about broad concepts allowing to relate and create all the possible chord formations. It's only a couple bucks, so advise you get a copy ASAP and keep it in your case. If your strings are at all tarnished/nasty, you can just get the book sent from the same seller as some fresh strings to save shipping; you might want to get a light gauge packet of strings since you're starting out.

If you haven't checked it out yet, Mandolin Cafe is the massive central forum and site for mandolin issues.

I'll have to see if I can hunt that book down. I've been using Mandolin Cafe and a basic Mandolin for Beginners book I picked up from a store. I think that a big thing as mentioned a few posts up is that I'm new to stringed instruments and just need to build up some finger strength before I can do a whole lot. There's no way in heck I can bar two strings with even my index finger at the moment.

Thus far I've been mostly just working on two finger chords (like 2002, 2200, 0023) and occasional single-note tabs to keep those around me and myself sane in the midst of endless transitions. I'm prepared to wait for a little while until fingers 3 and 4 are ready to join the party.

This thread is dangerous, though. I know there's an old Appalachian dulcimer sitting unused in my parent's basement that I really don't need around to distract me from getting the mandolin basics down.

# ¿ Jul 2, 2011 22:32

Ratatozsk: Mar 6, 2007; Had we turned left instead, we may have encountered something like this...

Not that we're anywhere near to exhausting the list of weird/less common musical instruments, but any chance at a write-up on jaw harps or harmonicas?

# ¿ Jul 13, 2011 02:39

Ratatozsk: Mar 6, 2007; Had we turned left instead, we may have encountered something like this...

ashgromnies posted:

Look at this dude owning on a melodica and ukelele and bass guitar and bass drum and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbPYmGq74eI&NR=1

I'll see your melodica/ukelele/bass/drum and raise you a drum/tin whistle/guitar/accordion/water glasses/baking sheet/vocals/panpipes/santa hat

# ¿ Jul 21, 2011 16:19

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Ask me which weird musical instrument you should learn this summer