MANDOLIN Meaning and
Definition
-
The mandolin is a musical instrument with a pear-shaped body that belongs to the lute family. It typically features a wooden body, a flat top, a round soundhole, and a long neck. The instrument is commonly associated with Italian folk music and is played by plucking its strings.
Consisting of eight strings that are usually tuned in pairs, the mandolin combines double courses of strings with a unique tuning technique. This creates a distinctive sound characterized by its bright, vibrant tones and rapid picking technique. The strings are usually made of steel, although other materials like nylon or gut can be used depending on the desired sound.
The mandolin's neck is fretted, featuring small metal bars that separate the notes and aid in pitch control. This allows the musician to play various scales, melodies, and chords across the instrument's range. Mandolins can have varying numbers of frets, which can affect the musical possibilities and versatility of the instrument.
Played using either a pick or the player's fingers, the mandolin is known for its rapid, precise picking technique. This has led to its prominence in various genres, including bluegrass, folk, country, and classical music.
In summary, the mandolin is a musical instrument characterized by its pear-shaped body, eight strings, and plucking technique. It produces a vibrant sound and can be found in a wide range of musical genres.
-
A very small instrument in the form of a violin with four strings, played with a quill.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for MANDOLIN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MANDOLIN
Etymology of MANDOLIN
The word "mandolin" can be traced back to the Italian term "mandolino", which ultimately derives from the Latin word "mandorla". "Mandorla" means "almond", and it refers to the shape of the instrument's body, which resembles an almond in traditional mandolins. The diminutive form "mandolino" was first used to refer to a small-sized lute-like instrument in the lute family during the late 16th century in Italy. Over time, this term transformed into "mandolino" in Italian, which then entered other languages in slightly altered forms, such as "mandoline" in French and "Mandoline" in German. Eventually, the word reached English as "mandolin", referring to the plucked stringed instrument we know today.
Similar spelling words for MANDOLIN
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
