G
Mandolin · Standard0023
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Beginner mandolin chords
Three chords, G, C and D, play a great many mandolin songs, and each needs two fingers. Learn them first, then Em, A, E and Am. A mandolin has four pairs of strings, tuned G, D, A, E from the lowest; each pair is fretted and played as one string.
1G and C
Two-finger chords: press both strings of each pair with one fingertip.
C
Mandolin · Standard0230
- G (0023): First finger on the A strings at fret 2, middle on the E strings at fret 3.
- C (0230): First finger on the D strings at fret 2, middle on the A strings at fret 3.
G and C
I | IV | I | IV
G to C and back.
2D
With D you have the three chords of a great many folk, bluegrass and country songs: G, C and D.
D
Mandolin · Standard2002
- D (2002): First finger on the G strings at fret 2, middle on the E strings at fret 2.
G, C and D
I | IV | V | I
The three-chord trick in G.
3Em
Em adds the minor colour: with it, the four chords of pop in G.
Em
Mandolin · Standard0220
- Em (0220): First and middle fingers on the D and A strings at fret 2.
The four chords
I | V | vi | IV
G, D, Em, C.
4A and E
With A and E (and D) you can play in A, a favourite key of fiddle tunes.
A
Mandolin · Standard2240
E
Mandolin · Standard1220
- A (2240): First and middle fingers on the G and D strings at fret 2, the little finger on the A strings at fret 4.
- E (1220): First finger on the G strings at fret 1, middle and ring on the D and A strings at fret 2.
A, D and E
I | IV | V | I
A, D, E: the three chords in A.
5Am
Am is A with one note lowered a fret.
Am
Mandolin · Standard2230
- Am (2230): First finger on the G strings at fret 2, middle on the D at fret 2, ring on the A at fret 3.
Am, G and C
vi | V | I | I
Am, G, C: a minor start, home on C.
How to practise
- Tune first. An out-of-tune mandolin makes the right chord sound wrong: the mandolin tuner listens through your microphone.
- Practise the change, not the chord. Pick two chords and switch between them for one minute, counting the changes. Do it every day and keep the number: it climbs fast. The chord change trainer times it, counts it and keeps your scores.
- Fingertips, just behind the fret. Press with the very tips, close to the fret wire, knuckles bent so each finger touches only its own string.
- Slow and in time beats fast and stopping. Strum four down strums to a bar and change on the first, even if the new chord is not ready yet; then try the strumming patterns. The metronome keeps you honest; start at 60 beats a minute.
- A little every day. Ten minutes a day does more than an hour once a week, and is kinder to sore fingertips.
Print it
The beginner mandolin chord chart puts the first chords on one page to keep by your music stand, free as a PDF (A4 or US Letter). The chord chart maker makes a sheet of any chords you choose.
Where next
See the chords in every key, use a capo to play these shapes in other keys, or browse chord progressions to play along with.
Questions
What are the first mandolin chords to learn?
G, C and D: two fingers each, and together they play a great many songs. Then Em, A, E and Am.
How do I press two strings with one finger?
Each pair of strings is so close that one fingertip covers both. Press just behind the fret, with the tip, and check that both strings of the pair ring.
How is a mandolin tuned?
G, D, A, E from the lowest, each a pair of strings tuned alike: the same notes as a violin.
Is mandolin easy to learn?
The chords are small and many need only two fingers, so the first songs come quickly. Fretting pairs of strings takes a little more pressure at first.