Since the tuning of guitar and madoline is different , is it possible to become proficient in both instruments

Question

The tuning of guitar for strings 6-5-4-3 is E-A-D-G while the
four strings of mandoline are tuned as G-D-A-E. Will it be confusing to switch from one instrument to another ? Is it possible to tune the mandoline to E-A_D-G ?

Answer 1

if your good enough at guitar, switching to mandolin shouldn't be very hard. and, the only problem i see with detuning a mandolin would be strings popping.

Answer 2

Tunings are arbitrary; many contemporary guitarists use alternative tunings (for example DADGAD) on the guitar. Obviously, different tuning require different fingerings for chords and you would need either a good understanding of music theory or a very good chord dictionary to come up with chords that would work on the mandolin with that tuning.

You could, I suppose, eschew chords and only play lines on the mandolin; it certainly lends itself to that, but you might find that certain, traditional, mandolin music can't be played properly, then.

Answer 3

sure, i know lots of people who play guitar and mandolin, and by the way, there are EIGHT STRINGS on a mandolin

Answer 4

Yes i think many musicians have proven this such as David Grisman.