Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Discuss the Mandolin lesson: Learning Open Mandolin Chords: G, C, & D

https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/learning-open-mandolin-chords-g-c-d-mandolin-beginner

I’ll teach you the basic mando chords to get you started on your journey! I have a great exercise for you and we’ll even learn our first song together!

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Great lesson! Thank you Banjo Ben!!:blush:

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Would it be ok to use the middle finger on the 4th string and ring on the 1st instead of index and middle on the open D chord?
I have small hands and find it difficult to bring that index over to the 4th. But I will if it messes up proper technique.
Thanks for your help.

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I would recommend using the first finger for that fourth string, because whenever you play lead that’s what you’ll do, and it’s nice to be able to just grab that chord anytime while you’re playing lead. Also, anything that challenges you is good to try and push through, cuz it’ll grow you as a player.

All that said, if AFTER you’ve learned to use the index finger on it, if you still find it to be more comfortable you can definitely play it that other way, but I would only do that if you know you can use the first finger

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I do not totally disagree with Gunnar’s advice, but I’ll be quicker to tell you to use what works best on that chord.

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Thanks. That makes good sense. I’ve been forcing myself to use the index and it’s starting to feel a little stronger.

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I also found that i didn’t need to press as hard as i was initially. As a beginner, it’s just getting used to it. Thank you for y’all’s input!!

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Are all closed chords transferable up and down the neck?

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@msuttles yep! And I’m releasing a lesson next week that teaches this very thing!

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Excellent!

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Does that apply to guitar too? I’ve heard some people say you only need a few hand positions for guitar to play any chord out there. I’ve always wanted to learn how, but never knew where to go.

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If you know the closed positions, yes- that’s essentially what the “CAGED” system is based on. If you take the open chord positions of C, A, G, E, and D and move them up the fretboard (by barring all or some of the open strings to make a closed chord), you can map out each position of each major chord across the neck. In bluegrass, I’d think about this more while soloing than while playing rhythm, since bluegrass rhythm is supposed to be mainly the simple open chords.

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That makes some sense. I’ve never been able to play bar chords, though. My hands are pretty small, and they always get too tired to hold the chord well enough for a clear sound.

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Not being able to make bar chords is not a problem; it sounds like open chords, or using the CAGED chord system are perfect for you. Granted, the CAGED system also includes bar chords, but you dont have to play all six strings of the chords. For example, the D chord at the 2nd fret becomes an E chord at the 4th fret. However, once you move past the 2nd fret, you’ll have to add a fourth note on the fourth string for a base note. But if barring is a problem you don’t have to.

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Hmm, this is very interesting, but I’m not sure I totally understand how it all fits together. Does anyone have a video or resource I can go to to learn more? Or hey, @BanjoBen could this be a potential lesson? I am very interested in this, but not sure where to go to learn how to use this system practically in my playing.

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Is there a specific aspect/point that’s confusing you? I’ll do my best to explain it until Ben can make a lesson if he wants.

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@theCrazyEight Did you see the application video segment where we put it into practice with Amazing Grace?

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No I hadn’t seen that one. I’ll be watching it in a few seconds though!

And @Michael_Mark, I simply have only recently heard of this CAGED system and therefore and still trying to find resources that will help me add it to my regular chord progressions. So the same hand position (say, for G or C) becomes the other chords when moved up the neck? A chart would definitely be nice!

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Yep! It’s the exact same theory as capoing, essentially. If you play a C chord capoed 2, it’s a D chord, so if you play the C shape up two frets from the open position, it’s a D chord.

Here’s a video explanation just from YouTube:

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Haha, I have a chart on the lesson page showing that, yep! Yes, download the charts, watch all the video segments in the lesson, and it should be very clear. Thanks!

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