I’m years late to your video but so glad that found it! Just got one yesterday and your video is very helpful. It’s a beautiful instrument that sounds as nice as it looks. You play it so well and I hope to get there soon.
Thank you. I usually just improvise music on my Merlin without knowing what I'm playing. This video really shows me new ways of playing my Merlin and what the chords are. Thank you.
As a fan of Seagull guitars I was really intrigued by the Merlin. After watching this and getting a sense of the unique playability, I went looking for instruction and lo and behold found (and subscribed) to your channel. Thanks so much for the clear instruction and I can't wait to get my Merlin!
Yay! Thank you from the UK! I just got home with my beautiful Seagull and spent a couple of hours playing around with it before finding your video. Your chords have helped so much. My guitar is in the corner crying-he might not get played for a while! All the best and thank you again!
I just bought a Seagull M4 in the key of D and it is so much fun to play. I am so pleased that I have found your youtube channel teaching all about this beautiful instrument. You are great teacher! Everything is concise and clear. Just perfect. 👍 Thank you!
saw one at guitar center and strummed it for a few. had no idea how to play it, but made it sound pretty good just trying random chord shapes. i kind of want one.
Thanks for the chord videos. It would be great if you could do a "tuning a Merlin" video - got one for Christmas - love it! - but am finding it a little hard to tune. It would be great to follow a "tuning your Merlin" video. Hoping you can help. Thanks.
Nice video, I play guitar and I just ordered a merlin and by the way you explained those chords I should have no problem . thanks for the info.......Bill
OK - I THINK I've got the following right for anyone thinking about fretted notes and tuning for the Merlin. Let me know if I've got it wrong and I'll correct it. Fret positioning for the diatonic scale is as follows: tone - tone - semitone - tone -tone -tone -semitone - tone Fretted notes along the low D string and doubled High D strings are therefore - D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D Fretted notes along the A string are - A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A Tuning the Merlin pretty well demands the use of a good clip-on tuner, but you can still do it by ear using the 'A' sounded on the low D string, and the 'D' sounded on the A string. And, of course, the single low 'D' should play in unison with the open high 'D' strings. (If you're lucky, the high 'D's' may even vibrate in sympathy when you play the open low 'D'. Working out actual tunes that can be played on the Merlin means that they need to use notes which use the range of two D-scales. Ditto for chords. Bending notes is just about possible, but is less satisfying than with a chromatic guitar. It's worth experimenting though. As if by inclination, the Merlin is most obviously suited to folk, Celtic and country music but, on the other hand, it's an instrument that encourages experimentation.
What would be the best way to play chords in a different key? Would tuning it differently be safe for the instrument, or would some sort of kapo do the trick better?
+Mazhar Naga The Merlin is Diatonic and so no half tones are possible unless one mods it to become Chromatic, which includes the half notes. There are some ideas for this on the Google + Merlin Group at plus.google.com/communities/118439335147665343514
Hi Chuck, I'm really enjoying your videos - thank you. I've just started playing the Seagull Merlin. I have a few questions though. When I try to play the E major chord the sound goes completely flat, it must be my technique!! Also, I'm left handed and struggle to play right handed. Any tips to stop me feeling generally quite so clumsy with technique generally. Martin
+Martin McNally Another way to do thie E major is to have your middle finger on the resonating strings, and then bar across your D and A strings with your index finger. Can give you a bit more control!
Hey Martin, did you ever have any luck with the left handed thing? I'm thinking of buying a Merlin, I'm also left handed and wonder is that an option or do we have to play right handed!
+Reco Anderson It isn't possible unless one mods the Merlin. But there are some ideas on the Google + Merlin Group at plus.google.com/communities/118439335147665343514
On the merlin, it is impossible as it doesn't have a half fret between the first and second fret. A c- cord would be 3rd first string, 1 1/2 fret second string, and 1st fret on the third string. If you modify this and drop the second string down to the second fret, you have a C sharp cord (for whatever that's worth).
You can play E and G of the C chord... like 3rd fret 4th fret 3rd fret, you could also try to bend the B up tofill out this chord more... stand by, I'm tabbing up Chuck's chords and scales, and I've been filling in theblanks for other chords... just because we dont have A# C F and D# doesnt mean we cant make chords that sound like them...
Like someone else, I couldn't see what you were doing so well because of the angle of the shots and other fingers being in the way. It would be tremendously helpful if you could somehow provide a chart, to go with your video, that clarifies things. Apart from this general chord charts are available, including on the Google + Merlin group at plus.google.com/communities/118439335147665343514
I can't see whether your fingers are pressing down the strings or not, some chords you have your fingers placed over a string, but I can't see which strings you are depressing...
I’m years late to your video but so glad that found it! Just got one yesterday and your video is very helpful. It’s a beautiful instrument that sounds as nice as it looks. You play it so well and I hope to get there soon.
Thank you. I usually just improvise music on my Merlin without knowing what I'm playing. This video really shows me new ways of playing my Merlin and what the chords are. Thank you.
As a fan of Seagull guitars I was really intrigued by the Merlin. After watching this and getting a sense of the unique playability, I went looking for instruction and lo and behold found (and subscribed) to your channel. Thanks so much for the clear instruction and I can't wait to get my Merlin!
Yay! Thank you from the UK! I just got home with my beautiful Seagull and spent a couple of hours playing around with it before finding your video. Your chords have helped so much. My guitar is in the corner crying-he might not get played for a while! All the best and thank you again!
I just bought a Seagull M4 in the key of D and it is so much fun to play. I am so pleased that I have found your youtube channel teaching all about this beautiful instrument. You are great teacher! Everything is concise and clear. Just perfect. 👍 Thank you!
Thanks! I purchased a Merlin a few days ago and this really helped me with advancing what I know.
This is really good! He takes a simple instrument, keeps the lesson simple, but produces nice music for students!
saw one at guitar center and strummed it for a few. had no idea how to play it, but made it sound pretty good just trying random chord shapes. i kind of want one.
Love the video. Just purchased the Merlin recently and you have helped a lot. Thanks so much
Just received my Merlin yesterday, and am glad to have found you! :)
Thank you for the helpful demo and chord lesson... I just bought one tonight and love the sound. Already started writing a new song on it.
Love my Merlin, and enjoyed your video.
Thank you! Thinking about purchasing one. Doing some research. Your video was very helpful. So generous of you to share!
Thanks for making this look so easy
I really want one of these.
Enjoyed the video. I have a Merlin and want to play more chords so thank you for uploading this video.
This tutorial was so helpful thank you 😀
Perfect lesson! Already doodled some familiar songs..Thanks!
It would also be helpful if you do the G,D,GG tuning as well. and explain the cords on a Merlin.
Hi - Will you be doing more videos? They are very helpful. Thanks!
These are so cool. The first time i saw one of these I was tripping on acid when I found a pair of deer in the woods and they let me try it.
Still on acid?
hello to everybody, could someone link me some shops that ships to italy, i can't find a shop where buy a Merlin. many thx to everyone
Thanks for the chord videos. It would be great if you could do a "tuning a Merlin" video - got one for Christmas - love it! - but am finding it a little hard to tune. It would be great to follow a "tuning your Merlin" video. Hoping you can help. Thanks.
There's apps for that
very good
Thanks for posting this, very helpful to a noob like myself!
Nice video, I play guitar and I just ordered a merlin and by the way you explained those chords I should have no problem . thanks for the info.......Bill
What I would like to see is a as complete as possible chord list. I found a couple just by guess work.
Thanks very much for your explanation. Can you upload a track of music such as "Oh susana". Looking forward your attention.
I have a lot of problems with the G. My fingers can’t reach ! Is it normal?
Hey, I love your instrument. Found a place in my town which sells it but the strings aren't as easy to get. Could you do a video changing the strings?
The strings are regular guitar strings
I got a bit confused on the Emaj and Emin. Emaj is baring the first fret. I couldn't tell which finger you dropped and where for the Emin.
OK - I THINK I've got the following right for anyone thinking about fretted notes and tuning for the Merlin. Let me know if I've got it wrong and I'll correct it.
Fret positioning for the diatonic scale is as follows:
tone - tone - semitone - tone -tone -tone -semitone - tone
Fretted notes along the low D string and doubled High D strings are therefore -
D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D
Fretted notes along the A string are -
A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A
Tuning the Merlin pretty well demands the use of a good clip-on tuner, but you can still do it by ear using the 'A' sounded on the low D string, and the 'D' sounded on the A string. And, of course, the single low 'D' should play in unison with the open high 'D' strings. (If you're lucky, the high 'D's' may even vibrate in sympathy when you play the open low 'D'.
Working out actual tunes that can be played on the Merlin means that they need to use notes which use the range of two D-scales. Ditto for chords. Bending notes is just about possible, but is less satisfying than with a chromatic guitar. It's worth experimenting though. As if by inclination, the Merlin is most obviously suited to folk, Celtic and country music but, on the other hand, it's an instrument that encourages experimentation.
amazing ❤
What would be the best way to play chords in a different key? Would tuning it differently be safe for the instrument, or would some sort of kapo do the trick better?
My daughter is getting one for Christmas
Sweet!
I have been using dulcimer chord charts and that seems to work well.
Thanks so much!
how can we make a half tone please...thanks
+Mazhar Naga The Merlin is Diatonic and so no half tones are possible unless one mods it to become Chromatic, which includes the half notes. There are some ideas for this on the Google + Merlin Group at plus.google.com/communities/118439335147665343514
Hi, do you have a Printversion of the Chords, I have bought me a Merlin and I Lke it very much
my fingers can't do the G any help?
I've got another questions. Is it true that you cannot do an F on this instrument?
Depends on the tuning.
How can i use this to play song of guitar clords?
Hi Chuck, I'm really enjoying your videos - thank you. I've just started playing the Seagull Merlin. I have a few questions though. When I try to play the E major chord the sound goes completely flat, it must be my technique!! Also, I'm left handed and struggle to play right handed. Any tips to stop me feeling generally quite so clumsy with technique generally. Martin
+Martin McNally Another way to do thie E major is to have your middle finger on the resonating strings, and then bar across your D and A strings with your index finger. Can give you a bit more control!
Hey Martin, did you ever have any luck with the left handed thing? I'm thinking of buying a Merlin, I'm also left handed and wonder is that an option or do we have to play right handed!
my fingers can't reach the g properly. I'm twelve! do I have short fingers?
Do Merlin's come in soprano/Alto/baritone or just in the one size. Someone mentioned that they might, but I can't find anything online.
They come tuned for D (D-A-D) or G (G-D-G).
Thanks a bunch for your vids! Can you please make us some more? ;-) How about 'Dueling Banjos!' ;-)
how do you play the C chord??
+Reco Anderson It isn't possible unless one mods the Merlin. But there are some ideas on the Google + Merlin Group at plus.google.com/communities/118439335147665343514
+Reco Anderson Also see more answers below to similar question by rossbeach64
I'd recommend just playing the third (C,E) and then making the pair another E as a filler
how do i make a C chord
On the merlin, it is impossible as it doesn't have a half fret between the first and second fret. A c- cord would be 3rd first string, 1 1/2 fret second string, and 1st fret on the third string. If you modify this and drop the second string down to the second fret, you have a C sharp cord (for whatever that's worth).
Thank you
You can play E and G of the C chord... like 3rd fret 4th fret 3rd fret, you could also try to bend the B up tofill out this chord more... stand by, I'm tabbing up Chuck's chords and scales, and I've been filling in theblanks for other chords... just because we dont have A# C F and D# doesnt mean we cant make chords that sound like them...
What's a c chord on the merlin? I'm having trouble finding it
+Ben Flaman See my answer to this question above by Reco Anderson
Awesome tutorial! Any way you could do Alice In Chains nutshell?
How do you play "C" chord?
You can't. Play an a minor instead
Use a chart to show chords .
It seams to be easy but it is as difficult than any other instrument. When you but your hand you can not see it well.
I just strum the 💩 out of it and it sound fantastic calafrastic
Like someone else, I couldn't see what you were doing so well because of the angle of the shots and other fingers being in the way. It would be tremendously helpful if you could somehow provide a chart, to go with your video, that clarifies things. Apart from this general chord charts are available, including on the Google + Merlin group at plus.google.com/communities/118439335147665343514
I can't see whether your fingers are pressing down the strings or not, some chords you have your fingers placed over a string, but I can't see which strings you are depressing...
there is no c note on a merlin.
gggg
Traduire en francais ca serais mieux
Cant even see what the heck you are doing, you need to have different angles..