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Mandolin Chords
Mandolin Chord Lessons

“Move those chords” exercise #1
Key of G Major

I (G) – IV (C) – V – (D) Chord form movement

   

   

   

Play each chord for 4 beats (strums), also play different combinations of chord forms following the G-C-D-G pattern. All of the above patterns can be barred and moved to any chord or key name.  For example, if you moved all of the above forms up 2 frets the chords would be A (I) - D (IV) - E (V) - A (I).  The dominant 7th tone (the flatted 7th, can be added to the IV and V chords to add a "blues" sound to the progression.  For example G - C7 - D7 - G instead of the straight major chords G-C-D-G. 

Key of G - exercise #2
I or G – IV-7 or C7 – V-7 or D7

Chord form movement with the dominant 7th on the IV and V chords 

   

   

   

Play each chord for 4 beats (strums), also play different combinations of the above chord forms following the G-C7-D7-G pattern. All of the above patterns can be barred and moved to any chord or key name.  For example, if you moved all of the above forms up 2 frets the chords would be A (I) – D7 (IV) – E7 (V) - A (I).  The dominant 7th tone (the flatted 7th) can be added to the IV and V chords to add a "blues" sound to the progression.  For example G - C7 - D7 - G instead of the straight major chords G-C-D-G.  For minor keys substitute the minor chord (flatted 3rd) of the I and IV chord and maintain the dominant 7th chord on the V chord for example Gm (I) – Cm (IV) – D7 (V) – Gm (I)

Key of Gm - Exercise #3

I or Gm – IV or Cm – V-7 or D7

Minor chord form movement with the minor I and IV chords the dominant 7th on the V chord 

   

   

Play each chord for 4 beats (strums), also play different combinations of the above chord forms following the Gm-Cm-D7-Gm pattern. All of the above patterns can be barred and moved to any chord or key name.  For example, if you moved all of the above forms up 2 frets the chords would be Am (I) – Dm (IV) – E7 (V) - Am (I).  For minor keys substitute the minor chord (flatted 3rd) of the I and IV chord and maintain the dominant 7th chord on the V chord for example Gm (I) – Cm (IV) – D7 (V) – Gm (I)

Learn to move your chords around so you don't bore your listener with the same worn out chords.  Try playing 2 strums on one chord form and moving to another form of the same chord for the second 2 strums or beats.  Try moving between the major and dominant 7th chord forms on the IV and V chords the same way.  Learning these chord forms and their connection to each other will expand your chord playing horizons. 

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