WWW.AZCHORDS.COM | Taylor Swift - Mandolin Chords | Ver. 1
Capo 1
Intro: G, D, C, D (x2)
Verse 1
G
He's got a nice
D
Little life
C D
And he's gonna live it, but on
G D C D
Friday night he plays that mandolin
G D
Painted red, and he said
C D
It's not the best I know
G D C D
But it's mine, I'm gonna make it mine
G, D, C, D (x2)
G D
People there can't help but care
C D
About the friendly music of a guy who's
G D C D
Getting by on their applause
G D
He's got a song that moves along
C D
He's got his local crowd tonight
G D C D
At Angelina's Family Bar and Grill
G D
He's got his heart on his sleeve
C D
The song he plays just living free
G D C D
But who knows what goes through his mind
G D
When he plays a song that brings along
C D
Everybody's saying
G D C
Who's that boy that plays the mandolin?
D G D
Mandolin
C D G
Oh yeah, mandolin
D, C, D
G D
He's got a car, got a scar
C D
Like everyone he's got a few but,
G D C D
Everybody loves that mandolin
G D
Got his problems, bills to pay
C D
Somehow that boy finds a way
G D C D
Through paychecks in tip jars
G D
He's got his heart on his sleeve
C D
The song he plays just living free
G D C D
But who knows what goes through his mind
G D
When he plays a song that brings along
C D
Everybody's saying
G D C
Who's that boy that plays the mandolin?
D G D
Mandolin
C D G
Oh yeah, mandolin
(G), D, Am, D
Em C
Oh he's the kind of guy
D G
Who never really wanted fame
Em C D
His feet are planted firmly on the ground
Em C D G
He never wanted people to remember his name
Em C D
He never wanted word to get around
D-once
That he found heaven on earth
G D
He's got his heart on his sleeve
C D
The song he plays just living free
G D C D
But who knows what goes through his mind
G D
When he plays a song that brings along
C D
Everybody's saying
G D C
Who's that boy that plays the mandolin?
D G D
Mandolin
C D G
Oh yeah, mandolin
G, D, C, D, G-once
How to play "Mandolin" by Taylor Swift on guitar
Capo:
The song uses a capo on the 1st fret to match the recording's pitch.
Chords Used (relative to capo):
- G chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle
finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret
of the high E string.
- D chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, your middle
finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret
of the B string.
- C chord: Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, your middle
finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your index finger on the 1st fret
of the B string.
- Am chord: Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle
finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret
of the G string.
- Em chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and your
middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string.
Strumming Pattern:
The strumming pattern is fairly consistent throughout the song:
Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
This provides a rhythmic, folk-inspired feel.
Progressions:
- Intro & Verse:
G, D, C, D
- Pre-Chorus:
G, D, Am, D
- Bridge:
Em, C, D, G
- Outro:
G, D, C, D
Playing Tips:
- Emphasize the downstrokes to give a driving rhythm to the strumming pattern.
- Switch between chords promptly to keep up with the song's tempo.
- In the bridge, focus on clean chord transitions to maintain the emotional
momentum of the song.
Common Mistakes:
- Switching from G to D too late, which disrupts the flow of the verse.
- Overstrumming the C chord, causing it to overpower other chords.
- Not transitioning back to G quickly after playing Em in the bridge.
Song Facts:
"Mandolin" by Taylor Swift celebrates the life of a musician who plays
the mandolin at local bars and leads a humble life. The lyrics honor the
joy and dedication of this character, and the melodic progression reflects
the mandolin's unique sound in a heartwarming way.