Q&A for How to Play Mandolin

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Question

It never sounds right when I play. Any advice?

Community Answer

It takes a while to get used to pressing down on the strings, and it may hurt at first, but keep at it, eventually you will get used to it. To make the mandolin sound better, try pressing at the end of the fret instead of in the middle, and try strumming closer to the neck instead of at the bridge.

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Question

Could a mandolin be played like a bass guitar?

Community Answer

No, a mandolin has a high-pitched sound, the strings are very tight and incapable of sounding or playing like a bass.

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Question

How do you fix a burst string?

Community Answer

The best option is just to buy a new set of strings (they are usually less than $10) and restring it. If it is broken near the tuning pegs, you can try and tie them together (there are quite a few tutorials on the internet).

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Question

I do not have a tuner for my mandolin, cannot buy one, and the microphone on my school laptop is disabled by the school. My piano is also way out of tune. Do you know of any other way to tune?

DZ0110

Community Answer

If you play a violin, consider using a violin tuner. Violins and mandolins are tuned to the same notes (GDAE).

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Question

I’m just starting, are there any websites or apps that would be best for beginners?

Kim G

Top Answerer

There are several programs on YouTube teaching beginners how to play mandolin. Check out Jamie Anderson's Mandolin for Beginners to start with. There is also a website called Play the Mandolin created by Bradley Laird.

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Question

Do you play through both strings when picking down and then up? It does not sound right.

Rebekka Rian

Community Answer

Yes, it's important that the strings both sing together. If it doesn't sound right, it may be because the strings are slightly differently tuned.

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Question

Whenever I press down on a fret, the note made seems to always be very out of tune even though the same string played open is in tune. Is there a specific way to press down on the string to stop that?

Community Answer

No. The frets are probably spaced wrongly or the bridge needs to be moved. Try taking it into a music store, they can usually help fix such things.

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Question

Is an 8 string banjo mandolin plated with ukulele cords?

Community Answer

If you are referring to a "banjolin", I would think not. A " banjolele" would be played with ukulele cords.

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