Your First Mandolin Chords: G, C, D and Em

With G, C and D you can already accompany lots of songs on the mandolin, and even more with Em. All four chords sit right at the start of the neck and need only two fingers.

Fretting double strings

Each finger always presses both strings of a pair at once. Place your fingertip in the middle of the pair, just behind the fret. The frets are close together, so your fingers sit close too – for the first chords usually like this: index finger on fret 1 or 2, middle finger on 2 or 3, ring finger on 3 or 4, little finger on 4 or 5.

1. G major

For G, put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A strings and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the E strings. The G and D strings ring open.

2. C major

For C, both fingers simply move one pair up: middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D strings, ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A strings. The G and E strings ring open. That’s why the change G – C is especially easy.

3. D major

For D you use the 2nd fret twice: index finger on the G strings and middle finger on the E strings. The D and A strings in the middle ring open – make sure your fingers don’t touch them.

4. E minor

For Em, two fingers sit side by side on the 2nd fret: index finger on the D strings, middle finger on the A strings. Em sounds softer and a little sad – a lovely partner for G.

Your first change

Start by switching between G and C: strum four times, change, strum four times. Strum loosely across all strings with a pick. Once that works, add D. With G, C and D you can already accompany countless songs. In the chord game you can practise the changes with the microphone.