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Tuning Your Mandolin
The mandolin is tuned in fifths (like the violin), starting with the
pair of G-strings as the lowest: G D A E. Note that each pair of
strings are tuned exactly the same, or in unison. For instance, the
top pair of strings are both G; the next pair of unisons are D, then
you have A and E.
You will hear the exact tones (or pitch) below when you “press” the
buttons on the virtual Pocket Tones. Remember, you will always need
a reference pitch to start with. A well-tuned piano is ideal; but if
you have no piano, use a pitch pipe, an electronic tuner or a Pocket
Tones. All of the above can be obtained from your local music store.
After you have matched your mandolin strings with the on-line Pocket
Tones, you can test your accuracy in the following manner: depress
the 7th fret of the 4th strings G, and then play the open D just
below it. If they sound identical, you have succeeded. Now finger
the D string at the 7th fret, just like you did the G. Play the A
string open and these should sound identical. Perform this test for
the final string; press A at the 7th fret and play E open.
If your musical ear is still in the development phase, and you would
like more immediate results, try an electronic tuner. This tends to
be easier then tuning by ear, however, you don’t want the electronic
tuner to become a “crutch”. Train your ear by learning to hear the
tones. They say that “Repetition is the mother of learning”, and
fine-tuning ability takes repetition to be sure.
See Farley’s tuning products to view a variety of electronic tuners.
Note that certain versions have tones built in, a metronome and the
LED screen that tells you when you are exactly in pitch.
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