Mandolin

The mandolin is a stringed musical instrument from the lute family. Originating in Italy and Germany in the eighteenth century, the traditional mandolin is the soprano member of its instrument family. Most mandolins have four pairs of steel strings that create sound through vibration when plucked by hand or with a pick. Although the mandolin is a versatile instrument that can provide accompaniment for a wide variety of musical styles, it is perhaps best known for the distinct tremolo sound it produces when used as part of romantic Old World compositions. Interest in the manufacture and use of mandolins reached its peak in Europe and the Americas around the beginning of the twentieth century. Regardless, the broad range of mandolins that have been developed since that time continue to play a prominent role in modern music, and their sounds can be heard in everything from classical works to country, blues, and even rock songs.

Brief History

The mandolin is a descendent of the lute, one of the first musical instruments ever developed. Cave drawings found in modern-day France indicate that primitive versions of the lute may date back as far as 15,000 BCE. By about 2000 BCE, the first complex lute-like instruments, called chordophones, began to appear. Eventually, the traditional lute and other lute-like instruments were developed. One of these was a folk lute known as the oud. Popular in the Islamic world by the seventh century, the oud was a wooden lute that was brought into Spain by the Moors and gradually spread into different parts of Europe, including Italy. It was in Italy in the fifteenth century that a smaller version of the oud-style lute was created. This new instrument was referred to by its Italian inventors as the mandola. Around the same time, the mandolin developed as a smaller version of the mandola. Over the next several centuries, the mandolin was refined until it eventually assumed its modern form.

The popularity of the mandolin did not begin to reach its zenith until European immigrants first brought it to the United States in the late nineteenth century. American interest in the mandolin was sparked by the arrival of a group of Spanish musicians called the Estudiantina Figaro in 1880. Upon landing in New York City, the Estudiantina Figaro, who played mandolin-like instruments called bandurrias, entertained audiences with lively music and colorful costumes. Their success inspired Italian imitators, many of whom subsequently immigrated to America with mandolins in tow. Before long, the mandolin was one of the most popular musical instruments in the United States. As a result, mandolin sales quickly became a big business. Many instrument companies, including renowned guitar makers like Gibson and Martin, began offering their own mandolin models. As a way of boosting their sales, these companies started founding mandolin orchestras in towns across the country. These orchestras, many of which still exist, generated even more interest and lead to the emergence of various mandolin ensembles and solo acts that played on the vaudeville stage and elsewhere. Although the mandolin's popularity was later eclipsed by that of the guitar, its early influence ultimately cemented its place in American music.

Overview

Like many musical instruments of their kind, mandolins are typically construction out of several types of wood. The soundboard, or the top side of the mandolin's body, is usually made of spruce, which is known for its particularly ability to clearly transmit even the subtlest musical tones. The soundboards found on higher-end mandolins are typically carved from a single solid piece of spruce, but less expensive models often feature laminate tops composed of several thin layers of wood pressed together. Generally, the sides and backs of most mandolins are made from solid maple. The fretboard—the long, thin strip of wood over which the strings run—is usually made of rosewood or ebony, as is the bridge, which is a small piece of wood that supports the strings and helps transmit their vibrations. The strings themselves are usually steel but can be made of other materials as well. While most mandolins have a total of eight strings, there are some varieties made with as many as twelve or sixteen strings.

There are two main types of mandolins: A-style and F-style. The term A-style refers to any mandolin with a tear-shaped and oval-bodied designed. Modern A-style mandolins often resemble guitars. Most have carved tops, and many feature arched backs akin to those of violins. In terms of their aesthetic design, A-style mandolins are typically simpler in appearance than other types of mandolins. Based on their unique characteristics, A-style mandolins are most commonly used in the performance of folk, classical, and Celtic music.

F-style mandolins, which first appeared in the early twentieth century, typically feature more elaborate designs and decorations, including twin f-holes or a single oval sound hole and artistic body scrolls. The lower side of most F-style mandolins often also have intricately crafted body points that gently alter the tone and make it easier for the musician to rest the instrument on his or her leg. Typically, F-style mandolins are preferred by artists who specialize in playing bluegrass and country music.

Another distinguishing feature of mandolins is the design of their backs. Mandolins can be either flat-back or bowl-back. While flat-back mandolins have straight backs like those of guitars, bowl-back mandolins have extended, bowl-shaped backs. Bowl-back mandolins more closely resemble their early ancestors and usually produce a deeper tone when played. Because of both their appearance and their distinct tonal qualities, bowl-back mandolins are most frequently used by musicians who perform classical, baroque, and Renaissance styles of music.

In addition to traditional acoustic mandolins, there are electric mandolins. First developed in the late 1920s, electric mandolins amplify the instrument's sound and allow it to be more easily heard in large venues or when it is being played alongside other loud instruments. Electric mandolins vary based on how they are electrified. While some are built with pickups like those found on electric guitars, others are little more than acoustic mandolins with a single pickup that transmits the instrument's natural output to an amplifier.

Bibliography

Beimborn, Dan, and Rob Meador. "A Brief History of the Mandolin." Mandolin Cafe,www.mandolincafe.com/archives/briefhistory.html. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.

Carter, Walter. The Mandolin in America: The Full Story from Orchestras to Bluegrass to the Modern Revival. Backbeat Books, 2016.

"History of Mandolin." Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra, www.pittsburghmandolinsociety.org/history-of-mandolin. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.

Hoberg, Mason. "5 Best Mandolins: A Complete Guide." EquipBoard, 20 May 2016, equipboard.com/posts/best-mandolins. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.

Julin, Don. Mandolin for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2012.

Leonard, Michael. "A Guitar Geek's Guide to Mandolins." Gibson, 22 May 2015, www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/A-Guitar-Geek-Guide-to-Mandolins.aspx. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.

"Mandolin Buying Guide." The Hub, 8 Dec. 2016, thehub.musiciansfriend.com/folk-instrument-buying-guides/mandolins-how-to-choose. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.

McDonald, Graham. The Mandolin: A History. Graham McDonald Stringed Instruments, 2015.