A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing, that is unless you've just acquired a mandolin, which in case it then becomes a dangerously fun thing. I've always said to beginning guitar players, "all you really need is 3 chords to play 1,000 + songs. When you get tired of the first 1,000, learn a couple of more chords." Eventually, with that system, you get up to about a dozen chords, which will carry through most Classic Rock, and 60's Folk song books.My friend Mark Jafrate, of Guitar Works, had a mandolin dropped in his lap when a customer decided not to spend what it would rightfully cost to fix a mandolin with a caved in top. Mark is an outstanding mandolin player, doesn't need another one, and doesn't have the heart to throw an abandoned mandolin in the dumpster, so when I happened to wander in, he gave it to me. BUT, not before he wedged some wood and glue in the F holes to raise the deck. Not the caliber of fix he would have done for the original customer, but for me....what do I know....just raise the pup tent and put some strings on that puppy..
One catch. I don't, or didn't, know a G chord from a spinal chord on that thing. "Hey Mark, show me 3 chords, a G,C, and D. Because I know with those 3 chords I can play 1,000 songs." So there I was, with a Kentucky mandolin, 1/2 pound of wood glue, and just enough musical knowledge 2 B dangerous.
I gotta tell ya, I don't think I've had so much fun since I learned the same 3 chords on the guitar. With total abandon I interpreted Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson,and even Ricky Nelson. My theory was that if there was more than 3, just skip 'em and keep strummin.'.
So for now, I'm pickin my favorite three - 3 chord songs. Then, I will find me an Open Mic and have myself some DANGEROUS FUN.
Add comment