Mandolin · Level 5 · Intermediate
Slash chords and a walking bass in D major on Mandolin
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A slash chord keeps the same chord on top but puts a different note in the bass. Here the bass climbs step by step from I to IV.
D
Notes: D · F♯ · A
D/F♯
Notes: D · F♯ · A
G
Notes: G · B · D
A
Notes: A · C♯ · E
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: D, D/F♯, G and A. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Mandolin frets are close together, so reach with the fingertips and press each pair of strings evenly.
- Set the tempo to 60 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Bring out the bass note of each chord a little more than the rest.
- Strum down on every beat, then try the bluegrass “chop”: a short, muted strum on beats two and four.
- Raise the tempo to 80 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for a bass line rising one step at a time.
Listen for
Aim for a bass line rising one step at a time. A common mistake is playing the root in the bass on the slash chord.
Why it works
I/3 is the first inversion of I, with the third in the bass, creating a smooth line toward IV.
D major has 2 sharps; its relative minor key is B minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–I/3–IV–V in D major?
In D major the progression is D | D/F♯ | G | A.
What is the key signature of D major?
D major has 2 sharps. Its relative minor is B minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 5 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “Sixth chords”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
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