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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

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.

Resources

• Go to Mandolin Cafe for a wide variety of mandolin styles.