The name of Mandolin was originally the Italian "mandorla", which means "almond" and is used to describe the shape of the piano body.

The shape of the mandolin body is more like a cut pear, about the same size as a violin, with a total length of about 40 cm. The back of the body is raised into a semicircle without a horizontal plate. There are four pairs of complex strings, and eight strings are arranged in pairs. They are divided into four groups in pairs. The tuning of the four sets of strings is the same as that of the violin, which is GDAE. The tuning method is the same as that of the violin, with intervals of fifths.

In the early 20th century, Orville Gibson improved the mandolin body design from an arched back to a flat back, and this type was more popular in the Americas.

Characteristics of the mandolin

The mandolin is a very cute plucked string instrument. The sound is like the rolling of a silver bell, very crisp and beautiful. Because it needs to be played with a pick or a pick, it is a melody instrument.

The fingerboard of the mandolin is embedded with thin metal strips that are not found on the violin, so that you can identify the scales without having to practice hard to learn the correct scales. It is a family instrument and a teaching instrument. Because it is easy to play, it takes much less time to learn the same piece of music than the violin. You can enjoy simple learning and rapid progress.

The vibrating playing method of mandolin is particularly impressive to the audience. It is often played in ensemble with guitar and other bass instruments, and is very popular with the public. It can also be used as a solo. Composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, and Mozart have compiled many classical pieces for mandolin playing.

Types of mandolins

1 Italian mandolins (Blowback mandolins, traditional type with round back)

2 Flatback mandolins (Flatback mandolins, A Model)

3 Country Music Mandolin (F Model)

4 Electric Mandolin (Electric Mandolin)

5 Double Neck Mandolin ( Double-neck Mandolin)

6 Other Variations of Mandolin (Mandolin banjo...)