A Conversation for Mandolins
Mandolins
Gilgamesh of Uruk Started conversation Dec 23, 2002
The Italian mandolin shape is sometimes known as a "bowlback". The American flat (or arched) back is, as with so many American things, not American at all, deriving instead from the Portuguese mandolin. The precise lineage of Fado guitarra, the Spanish Laud and Bandurria, the English guitar, and the cittern, and their influences on one another and the mandolin is obscure.
Mandolins
Researcher 239932 Posted Aug 22, 2003
I am very interested in learning to play mandolin, but I do not know what type is most common. Ex. awhile back I bought a tenor banjo, and as five string banjos are more common, it was very difficult to find music. So, in north america, what is the most common type of mandolin?
Mandolins
Gnomon - time to move on Posted Aug 25, 2003
The Gibson flat-back (which is really an arched back) is the most common type in America. I don't know whether the A-style or the F-style is more common, but they are both played exactly the same, so you shouldn't have any problems finding books on how to play. The tenor banjo is also played the same way as the mandolin.
Mandolins
Gilgamesh of Uruk Posted Aug 26, 2003
There's an excellent place to look for lessons, tab, scores, and chat on mandolins. Of course, I can't post the URL, but a judicious confection of "mandolin" and "cafe" might help you get there.
Mandolins
Gnomon - time to move on Posted Aug 26, 2003
http://www.mandolincafe.com/
There's no rule about publishing URLs. But you're not allowed put links to sites that are offensive or blatantly commercial.
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Mandolins
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