A mandolin is a string instrument that a lot of people don’t know about. These instruments are usually described as a relatively smaller version of the lute with a shorter neck. A typical mandolin contains eight strings that you strike to make a sound.
Despite its relative ambiguity, the instrument is growing rapidly in popularity due to its inclusion in various music genres.
If you want to learn more about the mandolin, you’re in for a treat! Today, we’ll share 15 interesting facts about the mandolin to help you get started with this unique instrument. Let’s dive in!
1. The Mandolin’s Ancestors Are Prehistoric
The mandolin’s earliest ancestors go back thousands of years. Paintings in French caves show men playing single-stringed instruments.
Over time, these stringed instruments evolved, leading to the creation of the early mandolin in 16th-century Naples, Italy.
The mandolin is believed to have come from the lute, thanks to Pasquale Vinaccia, a famous luthier and the instrument maker for the queen of Italy. Like many other string instruments, the mandolin has a body and a neck in its design.
2. The Mandolin Family Is Vast
Not all mandolins are created equal. In fact, mandolins are considered a family of similar instruments rather than a standalone version.
The standard mandolin is considered a soprano instrument. There are also higher-pitched sopranino mandolins.
The family of mandolins also includes the octave mandolin, mandocello, mandolone, and mandobass.
3. There Are Lots Of Different Types Of Mandolin
Not only does the mandolin come in various family members, but there are also different types of mandolins out there.
The most prominent types of mandolin are the round-backed mandolin, the flat-backed mandolin, and the carved-top mandolin.
The flat-back mandolin uses a thin wood sheet for the back like standard guitars, while other versions use a strip of curved wood to create a deeper bowl shape in the back.
4. Each Region Builds The Mandolin Differently
Even within the same mandolin type, many varieties and slight variations can exist. For example, the Milanese, Sicilian, and Lombard mandolins are all tuned in the fourth, while Brescian and Cremonese mandolins are tuned in the fifth.
Not only that, but the first group also has six strings while the second has only four. On the other hand, mandolins made in Genoa can have up to 12 strings! Yet the most common mandolins worldwide are the ones that originated in Naples, which uses eight strings.
5. Different Designs Are Used For Completely Different Genres
Each of the previously mentioned mandolins can be used for a distinct purpose and even employed in a totally different genre.
For example, Neapolitan mandolins are commonly used in European traditional and classical music, while the carved-top mandolins are more significantly featured in American folk and bluegrass music.
Meanwhile, the flat-back mandolin is more popular among British, Irish, and Brazilian music.
6. Many Of The Greats Played The Mandolin
Many famous classical musicians have experimented with the mandolin since the 1500s. One of them is Ludwig van Beethoven. Although mainly known as a pianist, he enjoyed playing the mandolin and kept one next to his piano. He composed several pieces for the mandolin, but only four have survived.
Other Classical Era composers who used the mandolin include Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Modern composers like Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Igor Stravinsky also played it.
Famous mandolinists in history include Dave Apollon, Carlo Aonzo, Chris Thile, James “Yank” Rachell, Bill Monroe, David Grisman, and Jacob do Bandolim.
7. Mandolins Are Composed Of Various Parts
One of the most important aspects of learning the mandolin is to know more about its various parts.
Ideally, a mandolin has a wooden body, which is usually made from spruce and cedar because its sheets are easy to work with despite being hard and durable.
In addition to the wooden body, the mandolin has many other parts, such as the tuners, headstock, fingerboard, soundholes, and more.
8. Many Mandolin Orchestras Were Founded By Salesmen
The mandolin is quite popular in classical and folk music in the United States. However, mandolin orchestras all over the country have an interesting origin story.
When Italian immigrants first brought the mandolin to the US, it wasn’t well known. To spark interest, mandolin makers hired traveling salesmen to set up mandolin orchestras in cities and small towns.
This strategy worked well, leading many musicians to buy mandolins. Some of these orchestras are still active today!
9. It’s Relatively Easy To Learn The Mandolin
If you’re a beginner looking for an easy instrument to play, the mandolin can be exactly what you’re looking for. The instrument is pretty easy to learn and can be extremely versatile.
Additionally, it is relatively compact and accessible, making it a great entry-level instrument. Joining a mandolin orchestra can also be a fun way to meet other musicians and improve your skills!
10. Many Modern Music Pieces Feature The Mandolin
Many people are surprised to learn that the mandolin is still used in many famous songs and music scores today.
This instrument is popular in genres like jazz, country, classical, ethnic, and bluegrass music. For example, Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s 1980s hit “Mandolin Rain” features the mandolin.
The mandolin is also heard in rock music hits like “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart (played by Ray Jackson), “The Battle of Evermore” by Led Zeppelin (played by Jimmy Page), and “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths (played by Johnny Marr).
11. There Are Many Similar Instruments To Mandolin In Different Parts Of The World
Although the mandolin is fairly unique in terms of tune, there are many similar string instruments in different parts around the world that are somewhat similar to it.
This includes the Greek bouzouki, the Russian balalaika, the Arab dambrua, the Brazilian bandolim, and the Puerto Rican cuatro. Each of these has its own unique features and importance in their cultures, adding to the wide variety of stringed instruments around the world.
12. Mandolins Are Quite Affordable
Another reason why a mandolin is a great pick for a beginner is that it’s fairly affordable. You can purchase an entry-level mandolin for as little as 80 to 100 bucks!
Despite this, some high-end mandolins can be very expensive, costing several thousand dollars.
This range in price means there’s an option for every budget, whether you’re just starting out or looking for a professional-grade instrument.
13. Gibson’s First Instrument Was A Mandolin
Gibson is one of the world’s largest music instrument manufacturers, founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson. Before the company was officially established, Orville was already crafting his own musical instruments.
In 1894, he built his first stringed instrument — a unique mandolin that was more durable than any other on the market at the time.
Today, Gibson continues to produce world-class mandolins, including the Loar-signed F-5 model, which is highly valued both within Gibson’s collection and among other manufacturers.
14. Bill Monroe Had A Snake Tail Inside His Mandolin
As we all know, some musicians are known for having the weirdest habits and knacks. Among the most bizarre artists in this aspect was Bill Monroe.
The Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer has reportedly kept a rattlesnake tail inside the body of his mandolin.
The reason was to keep the rats and other critters out of the mandolin and also to absorb the moisture and extend the life and quality of the mandolin.
15. There Are Electric Mandolins Too
No products found.In addition to the standard acoustic mandolin we all know and love, there are electric mandolins. This electric version is designed and tuned so it plays like a mandolin.
However, since it relies on amplification, the electric mandolin ditched the design of the carved top and rounded back and opted for a design similar to flat-back mandolins.
Summing Up Our Facts About The Mandolin
This wraps it up for today’s article of facts about the mandolin. We’ve touched upon its history, role in various music styles, and some standout players.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the mandolin and its many contributions to music and gained a greater appreciation for this impressive and often overlooked instrument.
If you know other interesting facts about the instrument, let us know so we can add it here!
