How To Play Mandolin: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Play Mandolin PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Stephen Beckwith

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

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  • Setting up the Mandolin
    • |
  • Playing Notes
    • |
  • Strumming Basic Chords
    • |
  • Learning Different Songs
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Interview
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  • Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Stephen Beckwith. Stephen Beckwith is a luthier and owner of Beckwith Strings based in Grafton, MA. Stephen has handcrafted over 100 unique acoustic stringed instruments and offers repair and maintenance services for most stringed instruments. He specializes in crafting guitars and offers customizations to address musicians’ needs. He has been playing guitar since age 9 and continues to perform live music and coordinate monthly jam sessions for musicians in the area. Stephen is a self-taught craftsman and a member of the Guild of American Luthiers. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 161,003 times.

Learning how to play the mandolin can be a fun and rewarding experience if you take the proper steps to build up your skills. The mandolin is an eight string instrument that is usually featured in country, bluegrass, and folk music.[1] When learning how to play, you should practice playing single notes and simple chords before moving onto full songs. With the right amount of practice, you'll be strumming beautiful tunes on your mandolin in no time!

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Setting up the Mandolin

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  1. Step 1 Hold your mandolin in your lap. 1 Hold your mandolin in your lap. Straighten your back and square your shoulders while you play. Don't hunch over. Place the mandolin's body on top of your leg and hold the neck of the instrument with your left hand. The back of the mandolin should be pressed against your stomach.[2] [3]
    • You should feel comfortable and your muscles shouldn't feel strained or tense.
    • You can use a shoulder strap to keep the mandolin in place as you play.
    • The neck of the mandolin should be angled slightly upwards. This will make fingering easier.
  2. Step 2 Tune your mandolin... 2 Tune your mandolin to the standard tuning.[4] The notes for each string in standard tuning, from bottom to top, should be E, E, A, A, D, D, and G, G.[5] Turn on your electronic tuner and strum the bottom string. Turn the tuning knob at the top of your mandolin's neck until the bottom string plays an E. Continue to do this with all the strings until your mandolin is in tune.
    • The strings of a mandolin are tuned in pairs. When you play, you'll hold down both strings in each pair.
    • Use a standard mandolin tuner to tune your mandolin.[6] If not immediate access to a mandolin tuner, a violin tuner will do as well, since violins and mandolins are tuned to the same notes.
    • Your tuner should have a needle that shows you what note you're playing or a light that will come on when the strings are in tune.
    • The bottom strings on your mandolin, or the E strings, are called the “top” strings because they play the highest octave.
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  3. Step 3 Adjust the strings to a low action. 3 Adjust the strings to a low action.[7] A high action means that the strings are higher off the fretboard and can make pushing down the strings and creating a good sound difficult for newer players. Place a nickel in between the strings and the neck on the twelfth fret. Then, adjust the knobs on the bridge until the distance between the strings and the neck is a nickel's width.[8]
    • The bridge is the part of your mandolin where the strings connect to the instrument's body.
    • You'll have to adjust the action for both the top four and the bottom four strings.
  4. Step 4 Purchase a heavy pick. 4 Purchase a heavy pick. A heavy pick is thick while a light pick is thin and will bend while you play. Playing with a light pick will make it harder to create clear sounding notes and chords with the mandolin and should be avoided.[9]
    • Light picks are between .45 mm and .7 mm in thickness.
    • Heavy picks are between .85 mm and 1.20 mm in thickness.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

Playing Notes

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  1. Step 1 Strum the mandolin without holding down the strings. 1 Strum the mandolin without holding down the strings.[10] Hold your pick in your right hand, between your thumb and index finger. Flick your wrist so that the tip of the pick hits the strings between the bridge and the neck of the mandolin. Strum the first set of strings then move down to the second set of strings. Practice strumming over different strings until you feel confident strumming.[11]
    • Holding the pick too tightly will create a more metallic sound.
  2. Step 2 Press down on the strings and strum. 2 Press down on the strings and strum. Your thumb should be on the top or back of the mandolin's neck while your four fingers rest over the strings. Press down hard on a fret with the tips of your fingers, then strum with your other hand. Continue to do this until you can get a clear note that doesn't buzz or hum.[12]
    • Your fingertips should be pushing down on both strings in the pair.
    • Aim your fingers so that they press down closer to the edge of the fret. This will produce a clearer sound than if you held down the middle of the fret.
  3. Step 3 Hold down different frets with different fingers. 3 Hold down different frets with different fingers. Hold down the second fret on the top string with your pointer finger and strum. Then, lift off the string and hold down the fourth fret with your middle finger. Practice going back and forth between the notes until you feel comfortable.[13]
    • This will help you transition between notes and develop your playing speed with your left hand.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

Strumming Basic Chords

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  1. Step 1 Play a G major. 1 Play a G major. A G major is one of the three most popular chords to play on the mandolin. Hold the second fret on both of the A strings with your pointer finger. Then, hold down the third fret of the E strings with your ring finger. Strum all 8 strings to play a G major chord.[14]
    • When strings are not held down they are in the “open” position. Your top four strings should be in the open position.
  2. Step 2 Move your fingers up one string to play a C chord. 2 Move your fingers up one string to play a C chord. A C chord is played using the same chord shape as the G major chord. Move your fingers up one string so that your pointer finger is on the second fret of the D strings and your ring finger is on the third fret of the A strings. Strumming this shape while the top and bottom strings are open will create a C chord.[15]
  3. Step 3 Put your fingers on the second fret of the E and G strings for a D chord. 3 Put your fingers on the second fret of the E and G strings for a D chord. Unlike the C and the G chords, the D chord has a completely different shape. Place your pointer finger on the second fret of the G strings and your middle finger on the second fret of the E strings to play a D chord.[16]
  4. Step 4 Practice transitioning between different chords. 4 Practice transitioning between different chords. Once you get the chord shapes down and can create a good sound, practice going back and forth between a C and G chord. These chords are easier to transition to because they have the same shape. Strum four times on the C chord, then transition to the G chord and strum four more times. Then, when you feel comfortable, you can start mixing in the D chord in your progression.[17]
    • For example, you can hold each note for one beat and play C-C-C-C, G-G-G-G, C-C-C-C, D-D-D-D, C-C-C-C, G-G-G-G.
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Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Learning Different Songs

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  1. Step 1 Get simple tab... 1 Get simple tab music. Search online for mandolin tab music and find simple songs that you can play. Easy songs to learn at first include children's songs and nursery rhymes. Look for music that only uses a couple of different chords and notes. Master these simple songs before moving onto more complex pieces.[18]
    • Some simple mandolin songs include "Cotton-Eyed Joe," "Waltz Across Texas," and "Hush Little Baby."
  2. Step 2 Play along with music. 2 Play along with music. Tabs will show you the fingerings for songs but won't tell you the rhythm or how long you should hold each chord or note. For that reason, it will be easier to learn different songs once you listen to them. Purchase the music for the song you're playing and listen to it while you practice.[19]
    • With enough practice you'll eventually be able to play songs by ear.
  3. Step 3 Learn how to play different scales. 3 Learn how to play different scales. Learning the different scales will help you practice your mandolin fingering and will also teach you some basic music theory. For instance, the G major scale is G, A, B, C, D, E, and F♯. You can find examples of other major and minor scales online or in a mandolin music lesson book.[20]
  4. Step 4 Search online for more advanced tutorials once you are confident in your playing skills. 4 Search online for more advanced tutorials once you are confident in your playing skills. Once you can play a couple of songs from tabs, you'll want to move onto more complex content. Learn how to read music and look online to find more complex soloing tutorials. Find different, more difficult chords and scales to play and keep practicing until you can play songs without messing up.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question It never sounds right when I play. Any advice? Community Answer Community Answer It takes a while to get used to pressing down on the strings, and it may hurt at first, but keep at it, eventually you will get used to it. To make the mandolin sound better, try pressing at the end of the fret instead of in the middle, and try strumming closer to the neck instead of at the bridge. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 16
  • Question Could a mandolin be played like a bass guitar? Community Answer Community Answer No, a mandolin has a high-pitched sound, the strings are very tight and incapable of sounding or playing like a bass. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 29 Helpful 14
  • Question How do you fix a burst string? Community Answer Community Answer The best option is just to buy a new set of strings (they are usually less than $10) and restring it. If it is broken near the tuning pegs, you can try and tie them together (there are quite a few tutorials on the internet). Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about caring for musical instruments, check out our in-depth interview with Stephen Beckwith.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/briefhistory.html
  2. ↑ Stephen Beckwith. Guitar Expert and Luthier. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP6xUyBo5CE&feature=youtu.be&t=1m12s
  4. ↑ Stephen Beckwith. Guitar Expert and Luthier. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ http://banjolin.co.uk/mandolin/tuning.htm
  6. ↑ Stephen Beckwith. Guitar Expert and Luthier. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ Stephen Beckwith. Guitar Expert and Luthier. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ http://nativeground.com/free-bluegrass-mandolin-lesson-by-wayne-erbsen/
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUMnHLw4uXI&feature=youtu.be&t=3m25s
More References (11)
  1. ↑ Stephen Beckwith. Guitar Expert and Luthier. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0UExQSNSDo&feature=youtu.be&t=2m44s
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QtnYYi2LDI&feature=youtu.be&t=3m16s
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QtnYYi2LDI&feature=youtu.be&t=6m16s
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfKqfMzVO4c&feature=youtu.be&t=1m30s
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfKqfMzVO4c&feature=youtu.be&t=2m42s
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfKqfMzVO4c&feature=youtu.be&t=4m10s
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfKqfMzVO4c&feature=youtu.be&t=3m22s
  9. ↑ http://banjolin.co.uk/mandolin/howtoplay.htm
  10. ↑ http://banjolin.co.uk/mandolin/howtoplay.htm
  11. ↑ http://nativeground.com/free-bluegrass-mandolin-lesson-by-wayne-erbsen/

About This Article

Stephen Beckwith Co-authored by: Stephen Beckwith Guitar Expert and Luthier This article was co-authored by Stephen Beckwith. Stephen Beckwith is a luthier and owner of Beckwith Strings based in Grafton, MA. Stephen has handcrafted over 100 unique acoustic stringed instruments and offers repair and maintenance services for most stringed instruments. He specializes in crafting guitars and offers customizations to address musicians’ needs. He has been playing guitar since age 9 and continues to perform live music and coordinate monthly jam sessions for musicians in the area. Stephen is a self-taught craftsman and a member of the Guild of American Luthiers. This article has been viewed 161,003 times. 4 votes - 50% Co-authors: 15 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 161,003 Categories: String Instruments Article SummaryX

To play the mandolin, press down on different strings with your fingers as you strum the instrument, which will let you play different notes. If you want to play a G major chord, which is one of the most popular mandolin chords, start by holding down the second fret on both of the A strings, or the second pair of strings. Then, hold down the third fret of the E strings, which are the top pair of strings. Finally, strum all 8 strings to play the chord. To learn how to play songs and other chords on the mandolin, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Valerie Yeager

    Valerie Yeager

    Nov 22, 2017

    "These written notes I can understand better. My challenge will be the left-hand fingering of the frets because I do..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Stephen Beckwith Co-authored by: Stephen Beckwith Guitar Expert and Luthier 4 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 15 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 161,003 Valerie Yeager

Valerie Yeager

Nov 22, 2017

"These written notes I can understand better. My challenge will be the left-hand fingering of the frets because I do..." more Austin Bryant

Austin Bryant

Jun 26, 2017

"It was the most wonderful non-video mandolin instruction i have seen yet. I prefer learning this way." Vera Sharp

Vera Sharp

Jan 31, 2019

"The article inspired me. I am more hopeful than intimidated to learn to play the mandolin." Kevin O.

Kevin O.

Nov 7, 2023

"It helps to reinforce the bare minimum basics go for the beginner beginner ; ^ )." Jake Glanville

Jake Glanville

Jun 2, 2022

"Convinced me that I could strum the mandolin with ease, and I did!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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Tag » How To Play A Mandolin