Two movable shapes cover every major chop chord on the mandolin. Shape 1 is the big four-finger G chord. Shape 2 is a three-finger chord with its lowest note on the G strings. Neither shape uses an open string, so each one slides up the neck to make a new chord. Learn both and you can chop in any key a singer calls.
For how to play the chop itself, read how to play the mandolin chop in a bluegrass jam.
How to read the charts
Each chord is four numbers. They give the fret for each pair of strings, from the lowest pair to the highest: G, D, A, E. An “x” means do not play that pair. Mute it with the side of a finger.
Shape 1: the G shape
The G chop chord is 7-5-2-3.
G strings: 7th fret, fourth finger.
D strings: 5th fret, third finger.
A strings: 2nd fret, first finger.
E strings: 3rd fret, second finger.
Slide the whole shape up the neck for other chords.
| Chord | G | D | A | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| A | 9 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| B flat | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| B | 11 | 9 | 6 | 7 |
The frets get closer together as you go up the neck, so the A and B chords are an easier stretch than the G.
Shape 2: the C and D shape
The C chop chord is 5-2-3-x.
G strings: 5th fret, fourth finger.
D strings: 2nd fret, first finger.
A strings: 3rd fret, second finger.
E strings: muted.
This shape plays three pairs of strings. It holds the root of the chord twice and the third once. Slide it up for other chords.
| Chord | G | D | A | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 5 | 2 | 3 | x |
| D | 7 | 4 | 5 | x |
| E | 9 | 6 | 7 | x |
| F | 10 | 7 | 8 | x |
| F sharp | 11 | 8 | 9 | x |
A third shape for low chords
Some chords sit high on the neck in the first two shapes. These lower versions are closer to the nut.
| Chord | G | D | A | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| B | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| E | 4 | 6 | 7 | x |
| F sharp | 6 | 8 | 9 | x |
The A chord at 2-2-4-5 is a favorite. The first finger lies flat across the G and D strings at the 2nd fret.
The 1, 4, and 5 chords by key
| Key | 1 chord | 4 chord | 5 chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | G: 7-5-2-3 | C: 5-2-3-x | D: 7-4-5-x |
| A | A: 2-2-4-5 | D: 7-4-5-x | E: 4-6-7-x |
| B | B: 4-4-6-7 | E: 4-6-7-x | F sharp: 6-8-9-x |
| C | C: 5-2-3-x | F: 10-7-8-x | G: 7-5-2-3 |
| D | D: 7-4-5-x | G: 7-5-2-3 | A: 9-7-4-5 |
| E | E: 4-6-7-x | A: 2-2-4-5 | B: 4-4-6-7 |
Other fingerings work too. These keep your hand in one part of the neck for each key.
Read the Nashville number system for bluegrass jams if the chord numbers are new to you.
Three minor chords
| Chord | G | D | A | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A minor | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| B minor | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| E minor | 4 | 5 | 7 | x |
E minor is the 6 minor in the key of G. A minor is the 2 minor in G and the 6 minor in C. B minor is the 6 minor in D.
If the big G chord is out of reach
The G shape is a long stretch. Many new players cannot make it for the first few months. Use a smaller chord while your hand grows into it.
Play only three pairs of strings: 7-5-2-x, or x-5-2-3. Mute the pair you leave out.
Or chop the two-finger chords you know and mute the open strings with the side of your hand.
A small chord on the right beat helps the circle more than a big chord that arrives late.
Changing chords in time
The chop lands on the offbeat. The downbeat is silent for the mandolin. Move to the new chord during that silent beat.
Practice the change from G to C first. The first finger moves from the A strings to the D strings at the 2nd fret, and the hand closes up. Then practice G to D and C to D.
Practice plan
Week one: G, C, and D. Chop four bars of each with a metronome clicking on the downbeat.
Week two: the key of A. Use A, D, and E from the table.
Week three: play one song in G, in A, and in D. Try Bury Me Beneath the Willow.
Week four: the key of B. Read how to play in the key of B.
For more on the instrument, see the bluegrass mandolin guide and the list of bluegrass mandolin players.