Below you can find a brief summary of mandolin scales, ideal for freshening up your memory or learning when you're just starting out! We'll look into what a scale is and why a scale is important. By learning these basics, you’ll get to grips with scales faster, so you’ll be able to start playing them on your mandolin. To get the low down on scales, keep reading...
~Find that Mandolin Scale~
Learn with Mandolin Scales
MandoTabs offers you one of the largest mandolin scales archive available online. It is very easy to use and it is completely free. Scales are available for the default tuning GDAE. First select a root note or tonic and then click the mandolin scale you are looking for. MandoTabs contains all the popular scales as well as some more exotic ones.
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Select a Root Note
MAJOR
PENTATONIC
HEXA & OCTA
MEL. MINOR
EXOTIC
OTHER
MANDOLIN SCALES FOR BEGINNERS
What Is A Mandolin Scale?
A scale is a sequence of notes that are organized by ascending or descending pitch. For example, a major scale consists of seven different pitches that span an octave using whole steps and half steps. Wondering what “whole" and “half" steps means? Let’s explain. The distance between two pitches is known as an interval. Moving one fret on a mandolin is a half step. Therefore, to take one whole step, you must move the distance of two frets. All scales are a combination of half steps and whole steps.
Now let’s put this into practice. First, we will practice a half step. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and pluck that string. Then move your finger up the neck one to the 3rd fret, and then pluck that string. You just moved half a step from a B to a C note. Now let’s practice a whole step. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the A string again, and pluck that string. Now, instead of moving one fret, you will move two frets up the neck. Your first finger should be on the 4th fret of the A string, and play that note. You just moved a whole step from a B to a Db note. Great job!
Why Do I Need To Learn Mandolin Scales?
Scales are the building blocks of music. All music is derived from scales. They help you to understand chords, arpeggios, and keys of your mandolin. Knowing scales also allows you to start creating your own music! This is where melody is derived. Not to mention that scales are great practice for building up strength in your fingers and familiarizing yourself with moving along frets.
