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Thread: Chord Exercises

  1. #1
    Registered User Sherry Cadenhead's Avatar
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    Default Chord Exercises

    What I'm looking for may not exist. I'd like to have a resource for learning and practicing chords. Requirements:

    • Written in standard notation
    • Shows a series of chords in a particular key, at least I, IV, V
    • Offers a variety of chord shapes for each key


    I realize I can improvise, playing chords for a particular piece of music, but I'd like to find something ready made that I can incorporate into my practice time.

  2. #2
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    Piano music typically notated both chords & melody across the grand staff (two clefs). Notation is generally just not useful for recording chords and rhythm for stringed instruments like guitar and mandolin, except as used in chord melodies. Rhythm playing in general would be complicated to notate, so you probably won’t find much of what you’re looking for.

    If your current teacher is still your violinist, I would suggest you find someone else to learn rhythm playing from, Sherry.

    Mandolin method books often have a few such exercises, but probably not to the extent that you’re asking about. But, maybe someone else here knows of resources that I’m ignorant of.
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  3. #3
    Registered User Sherry Cadenhead's Avatar
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    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    Piano music typically notated both chords & melody across the grand staff (two clefs). Notation is generally just not useful for recording chords and rhythm for stringed instruments like guitar and mandolin, except as used in chord melodies. Rhythm playing in general would be complicated to notate, so you probably won’t find much of what you’re looking for.
    Thanks, Mark. I'm wanting to work on shifting between chords, so rhythm isn't important for these exercises. Maybe someone has a suggestion I'm not thinking of. I'm not interested in tab or videos, though.
    Last edited by Sherry Cadenhead; Aug-11-2020 at 8:50am.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    It’s not quite what you want, but Sharon Gilchrist’s class on improv on peghead nation has a very simple approach to some chord forms inside a standard progression. Would get you started, and you can look for nearby chord tones to fill out voicings if you want to get to three and four note chords.

  5. #5
    Registered User Isaac Revard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    I’ve been using an app called “Autochords” on iOS. It doesn’t have images or notation for mandolin, it shows the chord shape on the guitar or piano and then gives a little strum and moves along to the next chord in the progression in the key of your choosing. Hard to explain, but I think it’s what you’re seeking or close to it.
    “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around and play mandolin.”

  6. #6
    working musician Jim Bevan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    My website (click on my signature) has loads of chord exercises.
    mando scales
    technical exercises for rock blues & fusion mandolinists
    mp4 backing tracks & free downloadable pdfs


    jimbevan.com

  7. #7
    Registered User Sherry Cadenhead's Avatar
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    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Bevan View Post
    My website (click on my signature) has loads of chord exercises.
    Jim, this looks like an amazing resource. I'll go through it with my teacher at my next lesson.

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  9. #8
    working musician Jim Bevan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Chord Exercises

    Thanks for that, Sherry!

    I'd recommend having a look at the Major & Minor Triads in the "Student Center" (both the pdf and the video are on that page) – seems like a good starting point for what you're looking for.
    mando scales
    technical exercises for rock blues & fusion mandolinists
    mp4 backing tracks & free downloadable pdfs


    jimbevan.com

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