Fretboard Freedom 102: The Mandolin Octave Pattern

Using the mandolin octave pattern to gain fretboard freedom is a crucial and quick step to locate a note anywhere on the fretboard. By using the mandolin octave pattern and your knowledge of the notes on one or two strings (see Fretboard Freedom 101: The Musical Alphabet) it becomes quite simple to locate any note on any string, then play a chord, scale, arpeggio, etc. from any position.

1. The Octave: What is it?

An octave, also known as a perfect 8th, is the interval between two notes of the same name, spanning the distance of 12 semitones in the chromatic scale, or eight notes in a major scale.

For example:

  • The C Major Scale : C D E F G A B C;
  • The first C and last C are an octave apart.

The octave can be found either below or above the starting note. Interestingly, the octave is half or double the frequency (Hz) of the initial pitch. For example:

  • The note A440 (440 Hz) – mandolin open string 2 –  is one octave higher than A220 (220 Hz) – mandolin fret 2, string 4.
  • The note A880 (880 Hz) – mandolin fret 5, string 1 – is one octave higher than A440
  • (Hz = vibrations per second).

Mandolin Octave Pattern (Hz)

 

2. Using The Octave Pattern To Gain Fretboard Freedom

As interesting as the above information is (I love the theory behind it!), let’s get started with how to use the technique on the mandolin to navigate the fretboard with an easy example, finding the octave on the same string.

Pattern #1 – Octave Pattern On Same String

  • Play open string 4 (G); then play the 12th fret on the same string (usually marked by 2 dots/fret markers);
  • The 12th fret is one octave higher, so therefore is also a G;
  • This can be repeated from any fret, by moving 12 frets along from the starting point, for example:
    • Fret 2, string 3 (E) ;
    • 12 frets higher = Fret 14 (E).

Mandolin Octave Pattern Same String

 

 

 

 

Pattern #2 – Mandolin Octave Pattern On An Adjacent String

Cool, right! Let’s try finding the G note on the adjacent string (string 3 – D). From any open string on the mandolin, you will find the octave on it’s adjacent string at fret 5.

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