Chop Chord Shortcuts: Mandolin Lesson

G'day! Are you having trouble playing the 4 finger chop chord? Well this lesson is for you! Here we'll take a look at easy ways to play chop chords using only 2 or 3 notes. The lesson has 3 parts:
#1 - In the first lesson we'll take a look at 3 easy major chop chords and practice playing along in a standard I IV V chord progression. (Blue Ridge Cabin Home is the example; played in the key of C)
At pickinlessons.c... you'll find the worksheets plus:
#2 - In the second lesson we'll take a look at an easy VIm chop chord and practice playing along with the fiddle tune 'Billy in the Lowground' in the key of C.
#3 - In the third lesson we'll take a look at finding the root note for each chord and then using the circle of 5th's we'll try a couple of examples using the easy chop chords in different keys.
/ pickinlessons
/ pickinlessons

[@sunbearglasscraft8065]

Thank you for this! I just picked up a mandolin recently and my hands are WAY too small to get those 4 finger chords (or my hands just aren't used to it yet). Either way, this is super helpful

[@pickinlessons]

Glad it was helpful!

[@reckonimokie123]

Thank you

[@pickinlessons]

You're welcome!

[@reckonimokie123]

Thanks

[@pickinlessons]

You're welcome :)

[@reckonimokie123]

I watch this many times

[@joeycovington4681]

Thanks!

[@pickinlessons]

You’re welcome!

[@billmacaulay]

good advice here

[@pickinlessons]

Thanks Bill!

[@billmacaulay]

i'm getting the shapes but ,that snare effect is eluding me. I keep trying.

[@pickinlessons]

Try fretting the chord, strum, then release the left hand only slightly. The length of time you hold the chord will determine the ‘snare’ sound (aka chop). Each player tends to chop differently, or could also vary depending on tempo or required tone. Stick at it!

[@1948steven]

Shouldn't the 5 chord be dominate 7th?

[@pickinlessons]

Hi Steven, thanks for the question.
Short answer: yes, it can be a Dom7th, but doesn’t need to be...
A dom7 is the 4 note extension. Contains the 1 3 5 b7. So a major chord (1 3 5) is the core of the chord. All depends on what voicing/sound you’re after. Cheers!

[@pablo6305]

Chop chords are my nemisis. So frustrating.

[@pickinlessons]

Stick at it!!