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Thread: Alternate mandola tunings

  1. #1
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    Default Alternate mandola tunings

    First of all when I talk about the mandola I'm refering to an instrument that would normally be tuned C G D A - low to high. I have one - and I'm considering playing around with some alternative tunings. Perhaps ADAD and others. I'm wondering what some of you have played around with, what's worked for you, and what context or musical styles you're using. Thanks in advance.
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  2. #2
    Registered User Greg Ashton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    Brian McDonagh of Dervish (trad irish) tunes CGDG and makes liberal use of a capo. I personally like DGDA, also for trad music, also using capo as needed.
    ADAD doesn't look right for mandola. I think you'd be better with DGDG - same intervals but closer to the original tuning.

  3. #3
    Registered User Steve Baker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    I really like using DAEA. It makes switching from mandola to bouzouki a lot easier and leaves those open strings to keep droning away behind the melody. Tunes in D and in G are naturals.
    If you want to play in C, for example, you may want to stick closer to traditional CGDA. Try CGDG for the same open string effect in that register. Screwing aorund with alternate tunings is addictive. Have fun!


    Steve

  4. #4

    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Ashton View Post
    I think you'd be better with DGDG - same intervals but closer to the original tuning.
    Fully agree. Fingerstyle opportunities of DGdg tuning are presented at http://www.mirekpatek.com

    Mirek

  5. #5
    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    I tune my Mandola DAEB. This is a real good tuning for Irish/Scottish/fiddle tunes (which are mostly in G, D, and A). You can actually use mandolin gauge strings on a Mandola to get this tuning.

    Pete
    Pete Braccio

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  6. #6
    Registered User otterly2k's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    I've been playing with DGDA, to parallel how I play my OM in ADAE... but I think I might try some of these other suggested tunings too...
    Karen Escovitz
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    I don't post enough threads to know what I'm doing, but in response to Pete Braccio's thread. Cool! I have never considered that. What gauge strings and scale length is this set up on?

    Garrison
    Weber Mandolins and Octave Mandolin
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  8. #8
    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    I read about this tuning on post here a while back. I'm using D'Addario EXP75 (41 26 16 11.5) on a 17" scale Weber Alder 2 flat top. Using the D'Addario string tension formula, that gives:

    D string: 22.2 lbs each
    A string: 19.6 lbs each
    E string: 18.4 lbs each
    B string: 21.4 lbs each -> 163.3 lbs total

    If you drop the tuning to DAEA, the last string goes to 17 lbs each (just doable for a flattop) with a total of 154.5 lbs total
    Pete Braccio

    "The Rules: Play nice and don't run with scissors"
    http://www.braccio.me
    Check out my web site for:
    Jack Tottle music files
    BBC Virtual Session files
    O'Neill's PDFs
    ITM Tunebooks, and more

  9. #9
    Registered User wildpikr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    Mike Compton has some interesting alternate tunings for mandola and mandolin on his 'Rotten Taters' CD. Tunings are noted in the liner notes.
    Mike

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  10. #10
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    Thanks!

    Garrison
    Weber Mandolins and Octave Mandolin
    Enoch Banjo
    Gretsch Drums

  11. #11
    Registered User Colin Braithwaite's Avatar
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    Default Re: Alternate mandola tunings

    I love a mandola in D,A,E,B tuning for Irish music. It puts the high B note on an open string, and adds a welcome lower voice to a session. It was also (relatively) easy to convert all the Irish tunes I'd learned in standard mandolin tuning. I play an old Gibson H0 mandola (1907 or thereabouts) with a 15 7/8 inch scale, and use a custom Newtone string set of .0135, .020 (wound), .032, and .048. I've experimented with different string weights, but this set is the best so far.

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