Guitar Lovers

A mandolin is a string instrument in the lute family.  It has a body with a teardrop-shaped soundboard.  Mandolins originally had six double courses of gut strings.  But the design today has eight metal strings in four pairs that are plucked with a plectrum.  This design originated in Naples, Italy during the third quarter of the 18th century.

Mandolins have had a long history in the music world.  In fact, there have been groups and orchestras that have played music specifically for mandolins.  Mandolin playing almost died out, but it found a new place in American country and folk music.  Its resurgence is greatly appreciated, since it is a classic string instrument. Both tremolo and finger picking methods are used while playing a mandolin.