Big Mon — Mandolin Tab

Mandolin tab and sheet music with synced audio · Bill Monroe · Key of G · 120 BPM · 4/4 time · Bluegrass · Beginner

Chords used in this arrangement: G, F, D.

The title "Big Mon" is literally Monroe's own nickname. While the outside world called him that, Del McCoury has said on his radio show that inside the band, the Bluegrass Boys actually called Monroe "Chief." So Monroe named this tune after the nickname his fans knew him by, not the one his own bandmates used. The tune itself was first recorded in 1965, later than many of his classics.

Monroe didn't lay it down until 1965, later than a lot of his better-known pieces, but it became a staple fast. In G it sits right in the mandolin's sweet spot, and the driving melody really shows off that percussive Monroe attack. You should dig in with authority on the downstrokes rather than playing it too politely. It's a great one to internalize early, because you'll hear it called at jams constantly.

This page includes mandolin tablature, standard music notation, and a chord chart — printable as PDF and playable in sync with the original recording. Change the key, slow the tempo down, and loop the bars you want to practise.