This article in the HowTo Mandolin Chords series of theMandolinTuner focuses on F#7 (or Gb7) Chord.

There are many positions you can play the F#7 (or Gb7) chord on the mandolin, so get ready for serious practice through the Chord Chart provided below, and the detailed HowTo for the three most common ones.

The F#7 (or Gb7) chord consists of:

  • The root, which for the F#7 (Gb7) chord is of course F# (Gb)
  • The third, which for the F#7 (Gb7) chord is A# (Bb)
  • The fifth, which for the F#7 (or Gb7) chord is C# (Db).
  • The seventh, which for the F#7 (or Gb7) chord is E (Fb)

See it below displayed on sheet paper:

F#7 (or Gb7) Chord on sheet paper

 

 

F#7 (or Gb7) Mandolin Chord Variants

As with all chords, there are many variants of the F#7 (or Gb7) chord for the mandolin. I have included nice-looking photorealistic descriptions of the four most common ones on top of this article for your convenience. Nevertheless, if you want to explore more, see below a Chord Sheet that presents all  variants for you to practice.

F#7 Gb7 Mandolin Chords Chart Diagram

 

How to Practice chords on the mandolin

I suggest you practice playing them one by one, till you feel comfortable with all positions, as I am convinced you will then have covered 99% of what is needed for the C Major. Do you actually need to know all eight variants presented here? Not really, but as music is really a language, the more variants you know the easier it will be for you to play and express yourself.

The slide-show can be used for practicing, as you can pause to practice a particular position go manually to the next or previous chord variant and even start it again. Once you feel you can play them all, try playing following the slide-show.

For each chord you try, follow the following steps to ensure that the chord is played properly, after placing your left hand fingers on the fretboard:

  1. Strum first the chord (all strings) once – Notice how it sounds.
  2. Strum now each string separately – Check that no string is muted. If a string is muted or you hear a buzzing sound:
  3. Try slightly changing your fingers position on the fretboard – Is now the sound clearer?
  4. If that does not work, try pressing your fingers harder on the fretboard – Is the sound better?
  5. Strum again the chord (all strings) – Notice how now the chord sound is fuller.

Once you understand how to play these easy two finger chords, you can use one of the best tips around to get to the next level. Practice mandolin chords, by struming along recorded songs.

This has two benefits:

  • You will get a good feeling of rhythm.
  • You will see how most songs actually use just a few chords.

If you feel you need more help, see below detailed instructions for the first three variants of the mandolin chord.

Three finger, “barre” F#7/A# (Gb7/Bb) fingered for mandolin

F#7 Gb7 mandolin chord vertical

This is how you place your left hand on the fretboard:

  • Second finger on 3rd fret of fourth string.
  • First finger on 2nd fret of both third and first string, forming a barre.
  • Third finger on 4th fret of third string.

Note that because the first bass note is A# (Bb) and not the root F# (Gb) , we call this chord first inversion and we write it F#7/A# (or Gb7/Bb), meaning that this is a F#7 (Gb7)with the first note being A# (Bb).

 

Three finger F#7/A# (Gb7/Bb) fingered for mandolin

F#7 Gb7 mandolin chord vertical higher position

This is how you place your left hand on the fretboard:

  • First finger on 3rd fret of fourth string. 
  • Second finger on 4th fret of third string. 
  • Third finger on 4th fret of second string. 
  • First string remains un-fretted. 

Note that because the first bass note is A# (Bb) and not the root F# (Gb) , we call this chord first inversion and we write it F#7/A# (or Gb7/Bb), meaning that this is a F#7 (Gb7)with the first note being A# (Bb).

 

Four finger F#7/A# (Gb7/Bb) fingered for mandolin

F#7 Gb7 mandolin chord in vertical display second position

This is how you place your left hand on the fretboard:

    • First finger on 3rd fret of fourth string. 
  • Second finger on 4th fret of third string. 
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  • Fourth finger on 7th fret of second string. 
  • Third finger on 6th fret of first string. 

    • Note that because the first bass note is A# (Bb) and not the root F# (Gb) , we call this chord first inversion and we write it F#7/A# (or Gb7/Bb), meaning that this is a F#7 (Gb7)with the first note being A# (Bb).

     

     

    Call to action

    Ok, it is now time to practice. Grab your mandolin and play these chords, you can make it!

     

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