[MusicTlk] learning to play mandelyn

[Richard Holloway]

Hi Andrew,

The Mandolin is tuned like a violin. Low-to-high, it is G-D-A-E. Unlike a guitar, the intervals between strings are all the same (Each is a Perfect 5th.)

A Mandola is tuned a 5th lower, like a Viola, so you add a C string on the bottom, and take off the high E.

A Mandello is an octave lower than a mandola, again, like a Cello is an octave below a viola.

Each of these has only four notes, but different versions may have more strings than that— variants range from 4 to 8 strings, because sometimes you have two strings per course, sort of like the way that some notes on 12 strings have two strings on the same note. (Some are an octave apart on a 12-string, as well.) Actually there are variants of the mandolin family that have octave pairings as well. Most any “rule” that someone tells you about these instruments will have examples of exceptions, somewhere… 

Especially confusing is that sometimes you’;; se six-string variants that have pairs of strings on a course for only two of the notes, while the other two have single strings. 

There are also some related sounding instruments like Mando-guitars that are tuned like a very high guitar, playing more like a guitar but sounding more like a mandolin. Those come in 12-string versions, as well as six. 

Yes, you can play chords on mandolins and related instruments with different note spacing (and finger placement) vs.a guitar. 

I would suggest you try and visit a fairly large (well-stocked) musical instrument store that has a range of instruments and ask someone there to give you a demonstration of the range of sounds some which these less-common instruments offer. You may need to call around or visit more than one to find a shop with these kinds of instruments since they’re generally less common than guitars.  

I hope that helps a little. 



> On Dec 5, 2022, at 9:01 PM, andrew edgcumbe via MusicTlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi My name is Andrew.
> 
> I just had some questions about mandelyn.
> 
> I do already play guitar now Do any of you find that mandelyn is
> pretty hard to learn how to play if you played guitar for while?
> 
> How do you enjoy playing mandelyn?
> 
> Can you do cords on a mandelyn like you can on a guitar I understand
> from listening to you tube videos that the fingering is different for
> doing cords or playing things like G C D for example.
> 
> if anybody would like to comment on this would appreciate it.
> 
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