Mandolin
The mandolin is a plucked instrument with four pairs of strings, the two strings of each pair tuned in unison. The pairs are tuned in fifths to G3 – D4 – A4 – E5, like the violin. It is played with a plectrum; because its sound dies away quickly, tremolo is an important technique.
- Family
- plucked instrument with frets
- Strings
- four pairs, each pair in unison (double courses)
- Playing
- with a plectrum
- Typical technique
- tremolo: rapid repeated strokes for long notes
Four pairs in fifths
The mandolin is a plucked instrument of European origin. It has four pairs of strings, known as double courses: the two strings of a pair are tuned in unison and struck together. The pairs are tuned a fifth apart to G3, D4, A4 and E5, exactly like the four strings of the violin. The mandolin has frets on its fingerboard.
The four pairs of strings
From low to high: G3, D4, A4, E5. Each note sounds on two strings tuned alike. Between the pairs there is a fifth each time.
A long note, and the same note thought of as tremolo
Our own example: in the first bar a whole note, as it might be written. On the mandolin it dies away quickly; so it is sustained with many rapid strokes, as suggested in the second bar.
Plectrum and tremolo
The mandolin is played with a plectrum made of plastic or horn. Its sound dies away faster than that of a guitar, for example. To sustain long notes or chords, you strike one or more pairs of strings again and again very quickly: this is tremolo. The technique has been documented since the 18th century and is one of the most important on the mandolin.
| Instrument | Strings | Tuning | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandolin | four pairs | G3 – D4 – A4 – E5 | fifths |
| Violin | four | G3 – D4 – A4 – E5 | fifths |
| Guitar | six | E2 – A2 – D3 – G3 – B3 – E4 | fourths, one major third |
Types
The classical mandolin, also called the Neapolitan mandolin or round-back mandolin, can be recognised by its teardrop-shaped, vaulted body. There are also mandolins with an arched top and ones with a flat back, which are played above all in American folk music and in bluegrass.
Common mistakes
- Striking only one string of a pair: Both strings of a course are struck together.
- Carrying over the guitar tuning: The mandolin is tuned in fifths, the guitar mostly in fourths.
- Playing the tremolo unevenly: It should sound like one long note, not like separate strokes.
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Related terms
TremoloPlectrumGuitarOpen stringString instrumentLuteFingerboard
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 4 October 2026
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