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Thread: What is a good beginner song to learn-

  1. #1

    Default What is a good beginner song to learn-

    -how to play simple rhythm and chop chords. Preferably in the key of G.

  2. #2

    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    First things first, since you've said rhythm and chopping, I assume you're want suggestions catered to playing bluegrass? If so, my 2 cents follows.

    Really just about any simple fiddle tune would do. Boil 'em Cabbage Down or
    Old Joe Clark are two easier tunes.
    If your looking for tunes to sing along with, Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me, Two Dollar Bill, or Roll on Buddy are easy enough. Although these songs aren't necessarily in the key of G, the nice thing is, if you can chop in G, you can chop in A. Same chord shapes, just two frets up the neck. Those two keys will get you quite far, at least in Bluegrass. If you can manage to pick up D as well, it'll cover most everything.

  3. The following members say thank you to Johnnymac511 for this post:


  4. #3

    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    Thank you so much Johnny. I don’t know who I am on a mandolin yet to be honest. I like bluegrass mandolin and I like Irish fiddle tunes too. Figuring where to start is daunting.

  5. #4
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    one of the earlier ones.
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/g...856&do=discuss
    Hav fun!

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    Registered User Bren's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    A two-chord song like Take Me Back to Tulsa would be ideal.
    In key of G, can be played with just G and D chords
    Almost every recording of it online is in G.
    Although it's Western Swing, can be done in bluegrass chop style.

    Try this version (from Hillbilly Jazz w Vassar Clements et al, Michael Melford on mandolin I believe):
    https://youtu.be/D2HyWGV5IlQ

    You can slow it down by clicking on the little gear wheel on bottom left of the YouTube window
    Bren

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    Mandolin Player trodgers's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    I've always thought 'Amazing Grace' was a good song to start on. Familiar to many listeners. Slow tempo. Three chords - G,C, & D. The melody notes fall nicely on the D and A strings.
    “Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher ‘standard of living’ is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free.” -- Aldo Leopold

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-


  9. #8
    Registered User mingusb1's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    Quote Originally Posted by Parmejohn View Post
    -how to play simple rhythm and chop chords. Preferably in the key of G.
    "I'll Fly Away" is a great song, and great to begin with. Can be played in any key too. I learned it in D and the melody is fun there. This is a good take in D with lots of slides and drones...like a fiddle might do:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6wwEZ8PbWo

    Cheers,
    Z
    Member since 2003!

  10. #9
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default Re: What is a good beginner song to learn-

    The answer is Jambalya.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

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