rossdoesbass
Mando Transcriptions
This page will be dedicated to mandolin transcriptions with both notation and tab where possible. These tunes will be notated as I learnt them and as I play them, due to the nature of traditional tunes this could be slightly different to how someone else plays or notates this. As this is mostly traditional tunes, I recommend learning them on whatever instrument is your main instrument as they are fun on any instrument.
Mandolin Transcriptions
Swallowtail Jig
Notation and tab
This is a fun traditional Irish jig, I really like to play this at a fairly high tempo, but the tempo marking on the music should be a fairly good introduction to this style without being too challenging.
St.Anne's Reel
Notation, tab and accompaniment chords
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This is another Irish one, but is also played in some bluegrass circles, if you want it to have more of an Irish lilt you can swing it a little more, if you're going for a bluegrass style I would play it with a straighter feel; however I am no expert in either style so play it however you want, it sounds good either way. Just like the last one I play this fast, but the tempo notated should be a good balance between difficulty and a good dance-able rhythm.
St.Anne's Reel - Chord Melody
Notation, tab and accompaniment chords
This is the same as St.Anne's Reel, but has the chord melody for the mandolin that I play also notated, it helps fill out the melody a little more and really helps to make this a good solo piece in my opinion.
The Kesh Jig
Notation and tab
This is another traditional Irish jig, I play this at a fairly high tempo, maybe a bit faster than notated. This isn't too challenging so another one I would say is in the realm of a beginner.
Fun fact, this tune is featured on the Titanic soundtrack, so if you were looking for 'that Irish song from Titanic' here it is.
The Kesh Jig - 'Chord Melody'
Notation and tab
This is the same as The Kesh Jig, but is a bit more filled out, this is not exactly a true chord melody but rather makes use of some open strings and a couple of drones to fill out the sound, a bit like a fiddle player would. I do not always play this tune this way, and would personally recommend using this as a starting point for a chord melody or just to start to branch out into 'filling out' a melody with open strings and a couple drones, this would be an easy case study for that style.
Vals efter Lasse i Lybe
Notation, tab and accompaniment chords
This is a fairly popular fiddle tune from Sweden. It's a waltz so I like to emphasise the one of each bar to make it pretty danceable. I have written this out as I play it, with the chords I use, this tune has also been transcribed by Magnus Zetterlund, however he plays this tune with slightly different chords to me. The rhythm I use for the chords is 1+2+3 with the accent on the one.
Vals efter Lasse i Lybe - Chord Melody
Notation, tab and accompaniment chords
This is a chord melody of Vals efter Lasse i Lybe, and is how I play the tune when playing solo, I like the way these inversions sound alongside the melody. If I were playing in a group I would likely play the version without the chord melody and use the accompaniment chords provided.