How would you play "Aerials" by System of a Down?

[Mandolin-wolf]

I like the song, and actually have a recording, but haven't been able to figure out the melody (I'm not real big on chords). If you don't know what song I'm talking about, just go to youtube or something and look it up. Any help with this endeavor?

[shortymack]

Its tuned in drop C tuning (CGCFAD) on the guitar so that is you first obstacle to transpose it to mando. Honestly, thats such a low keyed tuning that I dont think the mandolin would do it any justice...that being said, where theres a will.....

[Ed Goist]

This would be a challenge even on an octave mandolin since one's lowest C would be the 5th fret of the G course.

[Mandolin-wolf]

True, it would be challenging. But these guys managed to do it, on violins and cellos:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxwu61NfMeQ (wrong song, but it gets the point across)

[Max Girouard]

Never heard of the song before tonight, but took a listen. Pretty cool stuff. If you don't care about playing it in the same key as on the recording, just tune your A string down to a G, then just follow the guitar tab for the arpeggiation, you should be good to go. I'm not sure what the chords are, but maybe in the morning I'll give it a go.

[Mandolin-wolf]

Thanks, I'll have to try that in the morning. As for chords, haven't found anything, yet.

[R. Kane]

On a mandola or mandocello., C is your friend.

[Pasha Alden]

Have to fess up here absolutely never heard the song - however the fact that it could be a challenge makes it sound mighty interesting. Again, I shall avoid that octave mandolin - the ol' hands too small!

[Ed Goist]

Fantastic song.

[catmandu2]

Oud (CFADGC)

[Mandolin-wolf]

@ Ed, I agree. With the arpeggiation in the intro/chorus, I found I like to use my fingers instead of flat-picking, works better in my mind.

[Pasha Alden]

HI Ed and all others I will go and look for that song - have found some of the group music, but I think some of their rock can be done on mando? Or am I missing the mando songs?

Happy strumming

[Mandolin-wolf]

There aren't any songs by System of a Down that use mandolin, though most of them I think can be transposed to the mando pretty easily.