How to Learn About Different Shapes of Mandolins
A mandolin is a stringed instrument that you play like a guitar. Most mandolins originally had rounded backs. Over the centuries, the mandolin changed to have a flat back with F-shaped holes in the face of the instrument for increased sound quality. Orville Gibson is responsible for the two main mandolin styles of today.
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Instructions
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1
Recognize the slight variations between a Neapolitan mandolin and a French mandolin. The Neapolitan type has a bowl-shaped back while the French mandolin has a deeper body and a flat back with a plain design.
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2
See the difference between the Portuguese and the French mandolin. The Portuguese style is tapered with ridges along the back and the French remains a more conservative design.
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3
Note the two types of American mandolins. The "A" type has a teardrop shape and the "F" type is an elaborately designed mandolin that sets the standard for most modern mandolin shapes.
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4
Identify the unique shape of the Lyre mandolin. Notice that the main body reaches nearly to the end of the mandolin. Most other types of mandolins have a neck that extends from the body to the pegged end of the instrument.
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