The mandolin is a beautiful instrument with a bright, ringing tone. With its four pairs of strings tuned in fifths (G-D-A-E), mandolin chords are different from guitar but surprisingly logical once you understand the patterns.
Mandolin Tuning
The mandolin has four courses (pairs) of strings, tuned low to high: G-D-A-E. This is the same tuning as a violin, which means violin chord theory applies directly.
Basic Open Chords
Major Chords
G Major: 0-0-2-3 (open G, open D, 2nd fret A, 3rd fret E)
C Major: 0-2-3-0
D Major: 2-0-0-2
A Major: 2-2-4-5 (or simplified 2-2-0-2)
E Major: 4-2-2-0
Minor Chords
Am: 2-2-3-5 (or simplified 2-2-0-0)
Em: 0-2-2-0
Dm: 2-0-3-1
Moveable Chord Shapes
Like guitar barre chords, mandolin has moveable shapes. Because the tuning is in fifths, the shapes are more compact:
Major shape (root on G string): Move the G major shape up the neck
Minor shape: Move the minor shape up the neck
Two-Finger Chords
Many mandolin chords need just two fingers, making them beginner-friendly:
G: Just 2 fingers (2nd fret A, 3rd fret E)
D: Just 2 fingers (2nd fret G, 2nd fret E)
Em: Just 2 fingers (2nd fret D, 2nd fret A)
Mandolin Strumming vs. Tremolo
The mandolin’s signature sound comes from tremolo picking – rapidly picking a note back and forth to sustain it. For chords, you can either:
– Strum like a small guitar (great for rhythm)
– Chop the strings (muted percussive hit on beats 2 and 4 for bluegrass)
– Tremolo individual notes within the chord
Popular Mandolin Songs
– “Losing My Religion” – R.E.M. (Am, Em, G, D)
– “Maggie May” – Rod Stewart (D, G, A)
– “Going to California” – Led Zeppelin (G, D, A)
– “Friend of the Devil” – Grateful Dead (G, C, D)
Banjo Chords (Quick Reference)
If you’re also interested in banjo, the 5-string banjo uses open G tuning (gDGBD). Common chord shapes:
G: 0-0-0-0-0 (all open!)
C: 0-2-0-1-2
D: 0-0-0-2-3 (or 0-4-0-2-3)
Em: 0-2-0-0-2
Am: 0-2-0-2-2
The banjo’s open G tuning means G is the easiest chord – just strum all open strings!