The G Major Chord on Mandolin

Developing Proper Fretting Hand Technique

In this lesson, you'll learn how to position your fretting hand behind the neck and how to play your first chord on mandolin.

Just like your strumming hand, your fretting hand should be relaxed behind the neck. As you'll see in the lesson video, you want to either have a straight wrist or a small angle towards the floor. This will allow for your fingers to arch up over the strings, which will help with adding pressure and eliminate buzzing. The chord we are starting with is a G major chord and you'll use your index and middle fingers to play this chord. Your index finger will go behind the 2nd fret, 2nd string and your middle finger will go behind the 3rd fret, 1st string. Try to place your fingers directly behind the fret. This will give you a clearer sound.

Fretting Hand Technique and the G Chord

Strum through the G chord with downstrokes at first, then combine down and upstrokes.