Re: How to get songs by ear... When you have no ear?
Welcome to mandolin playing. There are many resources for beginners on the internet. I'm sure other Cafe members will tell you about them. A good place to start though is by trying simple tunes that you know really well, childhood songs for instance. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" (or whatever it is called in your language) is a common first tune for beginners on either violin or mandolin (both have the same tuning, in fifths). Start playing two open notes on the G-string then two open notes on the D-string (that is, strum the open string) and work out your tune from there. Once you have that, play the tune again starting with open D then open A. Next, play it starting with open A then E. It shouldn't be too hard to work out, and will teach you quite a bit about how the mandolin's tuning works. Try other simple tunes, and, when you're not playing, listen to mandolin music that you like over and over. If you can already sing, hum, or whistle a tune, you'll find it easier to work out on the mandolin. Playing by ear is a good thing! Enjoy your musical journey.
Last edited by Ranald; Jan-14-2022 at 5:46pm.
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
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