Series: Chord Bible

Mandolin Anatomy

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Chord BibleThis elementary chart of mandolin anatomy is given for the benefit of beginners. Though it is very basic, it is a start to learning some common terms that are used when talking about our instruments.… Read the rest

How to Read the Chord Diagrams

This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Chord BibleThis page provides a quick reference to understanding the elements of our chord charts. Thank you for viewing it! Please remember that you are always welcome to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.… Read the rest

What Is Cafe Shorthand? And Other Questions

This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Chord BibleWhat Is Cafe Shorthand? “Cafe Shorthand” is a term I use for an informal way of notating chords on a stringed instrument. It is a method that is analogous to expressing TAB or tablature notation without the typical tablature diagram.… Read the rest

C Family Chords for Mandolin

This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series Chord BibleBelow you will find our illustrated chord charts for C family chords for mandolin. For help in deciphering our chord charts, see here. Major Chords: C Major Mandolin Chords C6 Mandolin Chords Cmaj7 Mandolin Chords Csus Mandolin Chords Minor Chords: Cm Mandolin Chords Cm6 Mandolin Chords Cm7 Mandolin Chords Cdim Mandolin Chords 7 (Dominant) Chords C7 Mandolin Chords Altered 7 Chords: C7sus4 Mandolin Chords C7aug Mandolin Chords Extended Chords: C7#9 Mandolin Chords C9 Mandolin Chords C11 Mandolin Chords C13 Mandolin Chords   C MAJOR The major chord is built by stacking the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes from the major scale; those three notes are called the major triad.… Read the rest

Movable Chord Shapes

This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series Chord BibleThis section of our Illustrated Mandolin Chord Bible is dedicated to teaching numerous movable chord shapes, enabling students to quickly find any chord on the mandolin. INTRODUCTION Major Chord Shapes: Simple Triads (and Diads) Suspended Augmented Maj6 Maj7 Minor Chord Shapes: Simple Triads Min6 Min7 Diminished Chord Shapes: Diminished Triads Diminished Tetrads (dim7 and m7b5) Dominant Chord Shapes: 7 Chords (b7) Introduction This section of The Amateur Mandolinist’s Illustrated Mandolin Chord Bible contains many movable chord shapes that are useful in finding chords all up and down the mandolin neck.… Read the rest