Easy Beginners Banjo And Mandolin Songs
All these song tabs are for the mandolin or 4 string tenor banjo. I choose these songs as they are familiar to most people, plus they are all fairly easy to play and don't have too many notes to remember. Don't be put off just because some of the songs are for children, again, I picked them because of their simplicity.
Some banjo players will never need the following songs to get started and go straight into traditional tunes. But not every body picks things up that quickly and some need a bit of help along the way, so I have put these songs together especially for beginners to get them started, and sometimes that's all people are looking for ''A Start'' , after getting the basics off they'll soon be on their way and even learning songs by ear.
Yes, learning to play by ear does come, regardless of how bad you were starting off and felt like giving up many times out of frustration. Stay with it. Your time will not be wasted, don't be tempted to go watch that useless box in the corner.
So why should you learn these kids songs when you don't even like them ?
That's easy, When you're learning these songs you're making progress. Each step is a step in the right direction, and learning basic easy to play songs is part of the learning curve.
You most likely have no interest in knowing how to play Old McDonald on your banjo, but that's not the point, the point is getting your fingers to know where all the notes are on the fretboard so eventually the fingers will just go there without even thinking,and starting off with really easy stuff is great practise for that. Play these songs 'till you get really fed up listening to them before moving on to general folk and pop songs.
It shouldn't take too long before you're out of this section of the site. There's no point in me putting every single children's song I can think of on this page as that's not the point. As I said, you're not here to learn how to play kids stuff on you banjo / mandolin, you're here to learn basic fingering on the fretboard.
It's not only the kids songs that use easy to play notes. There's a whole heap of old pop and folk songs that also use basic notes. Take that classic 1960's song Da Doo Ron Ron, that classic only uses 3 notes for the whole song, give it a try.
Another one to try is Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers which goes back even further to the 50's and is very easy to play also.
Some banjo players will never need the following songs to get started and go straight into traditional tunes. But not every body picks things up that quickly and some need a bit of help along the way, so I have put these songs together especially for beginners to get them started, and sometimes that's all people are looking for ''A Start'' , after getting the basics off they'll soon be on their way and even learning songs by ear.
Yes, learning to play by ear does come, regardless of how bad you were starting off and felt like giving up many times out of frustration. Stay with it. Your time will not be wasted, don't be tempted to go watch that useless box in the corner.
So why should you learn these kids songs when you don't even like them ?
That's easy, When you're learning these songs you're making progress. Each step is a step in the right direction, and learning basic easy to play songs is part of the learning curve.
You most likely have no interest in knowing how to play Old McDonald on your banjo, but that's not the point, the point is getting your fingers to know where all the notes are on the fretboard so eventually the fingers will just go there without even thinking,and starting off with really easy stuff is great practise for that. Play these songs 'till you get really fed up listening to them before moving on to general folk and pop songs.
It shouldn't take too long before you're out of this section of the site. There's no point in me putting every single children's song I can think of on this page as that's not the point. As I said, you're not here to learn how to play kids stuff on you banjo / mandolin, you're here to learn basic fingering on the fretboard.
It's not only the kids songs that use easy to play notes. There's a whole heap of old pop and folk songs that also use basic notes. Take that classic 1960's song Da Doo Ron Ron, that classic only uses 3 notes for the whole song, give it a try.
Another one to try is Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers which goes back even further to the 50's and is very easy to play also.
Easy Pop Songs For Mandolin [ most are easy ]
Below is the list of songs [ tabs ] included in the Mandolin ebooks. The price is €7.90
and I'll email the download links after payment. Standard tuning GDAE,
You'll receive every song listed below which is around 500 and a mix of folk, ballads, pop and rock.
Now including a free Beatles ebook of songs and another of Irish rebel songs plus Christmas songs and hymns.
Also included is a 500 page ebook of lyrics and chords for the mandolin / tenor banjo in 3 different easy keys.
Martin
and I'll email the download links after payment. Standard tuning GDAE,
You'll receive every song listed below which is around 500 and a mix of folk, ballads, pop and rock.
Now including a free Beatles ebook of songs and another of Irish rebel songs plus Christmas songs and hymns.
Also included is a 500 page ebook of lyrics and chords for the mandolin / tenor banjo in 3 different easy keys.
Martin
I get a lot of requests for tabs to put on this site. I notice that nearly everybody who's looking for me to work out a song for them are looking for a song that's too difficult to play for their level. They haven't worked their way up from the basics and are looking to play songs that intermediate players should only be playing. I'm not saying you shouldn't try these songs, but before you do, get the easy one's off by heart first.
You can play all the songs in this section using the notes I marked out on the image of the fretboard. As you can see, there's not that many notes to play.
1. Familiarize yourself with the instrument
Before you start playing, it's important to become familiar with the different parts of the mandolin. The mandolin has a body, a neck, and four sets of strings. The strings are usually tuned to G, D, A, and E, with the G string being the thickest and the E string being the thinnest.
2. Learn how to hold the mandolin
There are a few different ways to hold a mandolin, but the most common is to sit down with the instrument resting on your right leg (if you are right-handed). Use your left hand to support the neck of the mandolin, and your right hand to pluck the strings.
3. Learn the basic chords
The mandolin is a fretted instrument, which means that you can play different chords by pressing down on the strings at different points on the neck. Some common chords in mandolin playing include G, C, D, and A. Practice switching between these chords to get comfortable with the finger positions.
4. Practice picking and strumming
The mandolin can be played with either a pick or your fingers. If you're using a pick, hold it between your thumb and index finger and use it to pluck the strings. If you're using your fingers, use your index, middle, and ring fingers to pluck the strings. Practice picking individual strings as well as strumming all the strings at once.
5. Learn some basic melodies
Once you've become comfortable with the basic chords and picking and strumming, you can start learning some simple melodies. There are many resources available online or in books that can teach you popular mandolin tunes, such as 'Cripple Creek' or 'Old Joe Clark.'
6. Experiment with different styles
The mandolin is a versatile instrument that can be played in various styles, including bluegrass, folk, and classical. Try experimenting with different techniques, such as tremolo (quickly picking a single string), double stops (playing two notes at once), and slides (moving your finger along the string to change the pitch).
7. Practice regularly
As with any instrument, regular practice is key to improving your skills on the mandolin. Set aside some time each day to practice and try to learn something new each time. You can also attend workshops or lessons to further improve your playing.
Remember to have fun and be patient with yourself as you learn to play the mandolin. With practice and dedication, you'll soon be able to play your favorite songs and develop your own unique style.
2. Learn the basic chords: The most common mandolin chords are G, D, A and C. To play a G chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the A string, your second finger on the third fret of the low E string, and your third finger on the third fret of the high E string. To play a D chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the G string, your second finger on the third fret of the high E string, and your third finger on the third fret of the B string. To play an A chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the D string, your second finger on the second fret of the G string, and your third finger on the second fret of the high E string. To play a C chord, place your first finger on the first fret of the B string, your second finger on the second fret of the D string, and your third finger on the third fret of the A string.
Practice switching between chords: Once you have learned the basic chords, practice switching between them smoothly. This will help you develop muscle memory and make it easier to play songs later on.
Use a chord chart: A chord chart is a visual representation of the mandolin fretboard with finger placements for different chords. It can be a helpful tool when learning new chords or trying to remember ones you already know. You can find chord charts online or in music books.
Experiment with different chord voicings: Chord voicing refers to the order and combination of notes within a chord. On the mandolin, you can play the same chord in different positions on the fretboard, creating different sounds. Experiment with different voicings to find the one that sounds best to you.
Learn barre chords: Barre chords involve using one finger to hold down multiple strings on the same fret. These chords can be challenging at first, but they allow you to play a wider range of chords and extend your playing abilities.
Practice strumming: Once you are comfortable with switching between chords, practice strumming patterns. Strumming is the motion of your pick or fingers across the strings to create a rhythmic sound. You can find strumming patterns online or make up your own.
Play along with songs: A fun way to practice playing mandolin chords is to play along with your favorite songs. Look up the chords for the song and practice playing them along with the music.
Before you start playing, it's important to become familiar with the different parts of the mandolin. The mandolin has a body, a neck, and four sets of strings. The strings are usually tuned to G, D, A, and E, with the G string being the thickest and the E string being the thinnest.
2. Learn how to hold the mandolin
There are a few different ways to hold a mandolin, but the most common is to sit down with the instrument resting on your right leg (if you are right-handed). Use your left hand to support the neck of the mandolin, and your right hand to pluck the strings.
3. Learn the basic chords
The mandolin is a fretted instrument, which means that you can play different chords by pressing down on the strings at different points on the neck. Some common chords in mandolin playing include G, C, D, and A. Practice switching between these chords to get comfortable with the finger positions.
4. Practice picking and strumming
The mandolin can be played with either a pick or your fingers. If you're using a pick, hold it between your thumb and index finger and use it to pluck the strings. If you're using your fingers, use your index, middle, and ring fingers to pluck the strings. Practice picking individual strings as well as strumming all the strings at once.
5. Learn some basic melodies
Once you've become comfortable with the basic chords and picking and strumming, you can start learning some simple melodies. There are many resources available online or in books that can teach you popular mandolin tunes, such as 'Cripple Creek' or 'Old Joe Clark.'
6. Experiment with different styles
The mandolin is a versatile instrument that can be played in various styles, including bluegrass, folk, and classical. Try experimenting with different techniques, such as tremolo (quickly picking a single string), double stops (playing two notes at once), and slides (moving your finger along the string to change the pitch).
7. Practice regularly
As with any instrument, regular practice is key to improving your skills on the mandolin. Set aside some time each day to practice and try to learn something new each time. You can also attend workshops or lessons to further improve your playing.
Remember to have fun and be patient with yourself as you learn to play the mandolin. With practice and dedication, you'll soon be able to play your favorite songs and develop your own unique style.
2. Learn the basic chords: The most common mandolin chords are G, D, A and C. To play a G chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the A string, your second finger on the third fret of the low E string, and your third finger on the third fret of the high E string. To play a D chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the G string, your second finger on the third fret of the high E string, and your third finger on the third fret of the B string. To play an A chord, place your first finger on the second fret of the D string, your second finger on the second fret of the G string, and your third finger on the second fret of the high E string. To play a C chord, place your first finger on the first fret of the B string, your second finger on the second fret of the D string, and your third finger on the third fret of the A string.
Practice switching between chords: Once you have learned the basic chords, practice switching between them smoothly. This will help you develop muscle memory and make it easier to play songs later on.
Use a chord chart: A chord chart is a visual representation of the mandolin fretboard with finger placements for different chords. It can be a helpful tool when learning new chords or trying to remember ones you already know. You can find chord charts online or in music books.
Experiment with different chord voicings: Chord voicing refers to the order and combination of notes within a chord. On the mandolin, you can play the same chord in different positions on the fretboard, creating different sounds. Experiment with different voicings to find the one that sounds best to you.
Learn barre chords: Barre chords involve using one finger to hold down multiple strings on the same fret. These chords can be challenging at first, but they allow you to play a wider range of chords and extend your playing abilities.
Practice strumming: Once you are comfortable with switching between chords, practice strumming patterns. Strumming is the motion of your pick or fingers across the strings to create a rhythmic sound. You can find strumming patterns online or make up your own.
Play along with songs: A fun way to practice playing mandolin chords is to play along with your favorite songs. Look up the chords for the song and practice playing them along with the music.