My son would like to buy a mandola or bazouki - he has never played a stringed instrument before - neither have any of us - just piano, woodwind and percussion. He just wants to play for fun, mainly on his own. Do you have any advice on which would be best. They sounded very similar in the shop. Is the technique for one easier than the other. He has very large hands if that's any help.
We're from North West Wales so he would be obviously be interested in playing Celtic music among other things
If your son ever wanted to play mandolin,banjo or fiddle then the bouzouki would be the best bet.It's the same fingering if they're all tuned gdae.The mandola is tuned a fifth lower so if he took up another instrument he would have to relearn the tunes.If he has large hands,then I would go for the bouzouki.
If it is a proper Bouzouki, he will find the distance between the frets a big difference from the mandola, making it a lot more difficult to play tunes, but maybe better for chords.
If your son is a complete beginner, and doesn't have a clear idea of what he wants to do with the instrument, then it probably makes little difference which he gets. The shorter scale length (c. 550-600mm) of the mandola (octave mandolin) is generally said to be better suited to melody playing than the longer scale length (up to 670mm) of the bouzouki, which, in Irish music at least, is primarily an instrument of accompaniment. But each can be used for either purpose.
In my opinion, longer-scale instruments have a better tone. Some people might be inclined to start with a shorter scaled instrument, then move on to a full-length bouzouki, but if your son has large hands, then the stretch may not be a problem.
I probably haven't helped solve your dilemma at all. My best advice would be for your son to make as many visits to the music shop as he can get away with, and play around with both instruments until he decides which one he likes better.
Incidentally, do you know about sessions in your neck of the woods? There's a great one in Bangor on Friday at The Nelson. There are a few others, I think, which you can find in the Sessions page at this site.
A small addendum: Having read the previous two posts, I feel I shouold point out a difference in Nomenclature between the UK and the US. In the US, a mandola is an instrument tuned a 5th below the *mandolin* - i.e. viola tuning, CGDA. In th UK, the term 'mandola' is commonly insed for what Americans call the 'octave mandolin', which is tuned an octave below trhe mandolin, or a 4th below the American mandola - GDAE. The (Irish) bouzouki is, in effect, an ocatve mandolin (or UK mandola) with a longer neck.
Mandola is NOT octave mandolin. there is a noticeable scale length difference. generally octave mandolin and bouzouki is used interchangeably, but in fact, ther eis also a scale length difference there too (though an octave mandolin can make a fine bouzouki generally).
I think the mandola is a wonderful instrument, but you'll find that maybe it's not so good for celtic. In fact you will find it isn't. At least tunes in D and often in G. the range of a mandolin (and octave mandolin/bouzouki) is that of a violin, and taking a fifth off the top end...well just imagine all the songs you couldn't play the same in those keys.
I play an octave Mandola and it is perfect for melody playing or chords.I have also played Bouzouki but found it a bit of a strain to play melody on.(My hands are not small).I would agree with David to go to as many music shops as possible and try out the instruments.
There are 2 types of Mandola Tenor and Octave.The tenor is tuned CGDA and the octave is GDAE.You can check out Dave Freshwater's website WWW.frettedfolkinstruments.com.He makes very good mandolins,mandolas,bouzoukis and is a good man to seek advice from and his instruments are not that expensive.
Sylvia, your son is going to get started on a wonderful family of instruments which ever he decides on.
David touches on some thing here that needs to be made clear, and that is the confusion of Octave Mandolin (us )and Mandola(uk). Same instrument, just different names for different countries. The Mandola in the US is called a Tenor Mandola in the UK. Read more here http://www.chinatogalway.com/Bouzouki%20style%20Mandola.htm
I would probably say fewer people in Irish music use the tuning CGda, so I would not recomend buying the mandola ( us ) tenor mandola ( uk ). So stick with GDae !
The Irish Bouzouki is wonderful for both chords and melody. Somepeople find the length a stretch for melody playing but I love it. Some people also change the tuning slightly to fit chord playing easier GDad. Read more of the bouzouki, and the mando family here. http://www.chinatogalway.com/BOUZOUKI%20style%20cover%20page.htm
Good luck to you son he is about to start on a wonderful journey !!
My octave mandolin is tuned ADAd because practically everything I play is in the key of D,G, or A. for which I use a capo at fifth or seventh fret for G and A. I recently forgot my capo but to my delight I found I could play in D by moving to a second position, where I could find all the notes and not have to move my hand or s t r e t c h so much. I play melody, counter melody and drone/percussion.WB
I have always thought that the nomenclature for the mandolin family is based on it's parallel in the violin and viola = mandolin and mandola, the second being a 5th below the first. The Octave Mandolin would be an octave below the mandolin. An Octave Mandola by extension should really be another 5th lower again.
A mandocello is therefore tuned like a cello also, though we have conveniently left these out of the discussion!!
I realise the argument is clouded by the fact that these instruments are open to alternative tunings (well not so much the mandolin). You would not think that there would be such a lot of difficulty naming these intruments.
Perhaps a mandolin would be a better choice for a starter instrument in this area. Tunes are a great fit and rhythm chords/patterns will apply even if he changes later. I moved to bouzouki and mandola (US term) with little problem after yeard of mandolin. Mandolins are generally cheaper, more available and fit into other style of music easier than the bigger models.
Not looking for an argument, it's just my opinion.
In my humble opinion, option (C) Mandolin. It will be easier to pick up tunes from fiddle players (because the fingering matches better), the scale length is easier on the hands, and he can still learn chording. I have a (tuned like a viola) mandola which I play both tunes and chords on, but I'm comfortable popping one or the other parts of a tune down an octave, something I wouldn't want to mess with as a beginner.
Donough - I believe the term 'octave mandola' has been used as an alternative name for a mandocello - which is tuned an octave below the (US) mandola. But let's try not to confuse matters.
Since Sylvia says, "They sounded very similar in the shop," and makes no mention of any difference in pitch, we can probably safely assume that the mandola to which she refers is the octave mandolin, not the other one. One certainly often sees octave mandolins in music shops in Britain labelled 'mandola', sometimes 'octave mandola'.
I think I am beginning to understand why pedants like myself exist .
My last post is lost in cyber space I think.Just in case I 'll repeat.
What a can of worms this post has opened.
I now play one of those Overgrown Mandolin Thingys .Hope Slyvia is not too confused.
Your son should enjoy playing one of these as they are easy enough to learn and are very versatile no mater what type of music.
Ps I will have to change my profile.
If Sylvia is'nt confused by now, well I certainly am! Donough is exactly correct in his post. The Mandolin family is named ( and tuned) exactly in paralell with the violin family. So a Mandola is equivalent to a Viola and is tuned CGDA. An octave mandolin is tuned an octave below a Mandolin ie, GDAE.
An Irish Bouzouki is generally tuned GDAD, or sometimes ADAD. It really is'nt related to any of the others except in its general shape. There are a lot of stores selling instruments purporting to be bouzoukis,which are just long-necked mandolins made in the far east. My advice would be to go for an Irish or UK manufactured one.
The Mandola is very rare in sessions, and is not heard much anymore, even on recordings. It probably falls into the same category as the Digeridoo.....It does'nt really have any future in ITM. It might be of benefit to know that the Mandola is'nt played on stage by ANY well known Trad. band, and even in the regrouped Planxty, there is no sign of one.
There is a great deal of nonsense written on the web about this family of instruments, and I regret to say,some of it is repeated above, but if you want to play ITM, and you are torn between a mandola, and an irish Bouzouki, there's no competition I'm afraid. It has to be the bouzouki!
The Mandola IS played in at least one well known ITM band - Dervish! Brian McDonagh plays what I beleive to be a mandola (in the US nomenclature - traditionally tuned CGDA), but tunes it, as I do, DAEA or similar. With this tuning, you have a range more in line with a flute than a fiddle, a fourth (?) below a mandolin. I find this works great for tune playing and some accompanyment in ITM. I tune my tenor guitar the same way and also play a Bouzouki tuned GDAD (a fifth lower). I play lead and accompanyment on all of them.
Mandola = digeridoo. Is that an octave digerdoo or tenor.
Isnt it great to have such expert advice .
As my late father used to say no need to bring a gobshite you'll always find one there.
What do you get if you cross a guitar with a mandola. Is it a Guitola or a Mandara? for God's sake pdx138, you need to get out more. As for Dphil, youll always find whatever you expected to if you set out with a closed mind.
I've only just caught up on this as I was away for a few days. The bouzouki we play in ITM bears very little resemblence to the original of the species ie the Greek bouzouki. It has three courses of strings and is tuned very differently to the way we tune it. Many of these instruments have evolved since the 1970s when Johnny Moynihan and Andy Irvine first introduced them to ITM. I once asked Andy Irvine to name the instrument I play - because I wasn't quite sure what it was. He said "Well you wouldn't know really - it's either a short-necked bouzouki or a long necked mandola". He didn't seem to think the name mattered much. Thing is - it works. I think Dphil plays one like mine, and would agree. For a young player, I Believe the shorter necked instrument would be more manageable, but I'd avoid the one with the viola tuning (CGDA) as it's less versatile
The Mandola is a confusing part of the mandolin family. It has been labelled Octave Mandola, Octave mandolin, mandola, and Tenor mandola. Many makers including Sobell, Fylde etc call this instrument an Octave Mandola when tuned GDae and a Tenor Mandola when tuned CGda. It has been called an Octave Mandolin by makers in the USA. Infact to be very honest I have only heard the name Octave mandolin over the past couple of years. For me I still like the name Octave mandola, or simply mandola.
The main attraction of the modern mandola, Octave Mandola or Octave Mandolin, which ever you want to call it, is the scale length. Coming in between the mandolin and the Irish Bouzouki this can be a very comfortable size for playing fast melody, and really works well with Jigs and Reels.
This is the best description For the Mandola that is being played at sessions.It is taken from the site (www.chinatogalway )
I may be out of my mind but it certainly isn't closed.
Sobell does not use the term "tenor mandola". He calls CGDA just "mandola", and GDAE is "octave mandolin". I'd go by what he says - I'd say he knows what he's talking about
"The Mandola is very rare in sessions, and is not heard much anymore, even on recordings. It probably falls into the same category as the Digeridoo.....It does'nt really have any future in ITM. It might be of benefit to know that the Mandola is'nt played on stage by ANY well known Trad. band, and even in the regrouped Planxty, there is no sign of one."
It is rare, but it certainly doesn't fall into the category of digeridoo. I play mandola myself, albeit with an extra bottom course. If you think the mandola has no future in ITM, you need to listen to Brian McDonagh's playing, as pdx138 says. DAEA tuning is great!
Backer, to say that pdx138 "needs to get out more" and Dphil is "closed-minded" is laughable. You clearly don't know WTF you are talking about.
That's all it is really. You can tune both GDAD or GDAE, or however you like, so the main distinction is in scale length, and hence amount of sustain/tone/blah blah blah. They're all the bloody same basically. Sylvia, get your son to think of a tuning and sound he wants, try out a few instruments in some music shops, whatever, but don't let anyone tell you that something's "unsuitable" just because the neck isn't the right length (what about Andy Irvine's Portuguese guitar?!), because I agree with Backer that "there is a great deal of nonsense written on the web about this family of instruments, and I regret to say,some of it is repeated above" *smirk*...
Dow - I am laughing with tears roling down my face because of your last line!!! I was going to go into some huge spiel about how the Mandola is way cool and to compare it to a didge is just plain wrong & Ignorant. But you are right -obvioulsy some people dont not know WTF they aretalking about so what is the point? I really like the sound of your Mandola btw! Its lovely!
I'm not finished yet Beebs. "My advice would be to go for an Irish or UK manufactured one [zouk]". Just wanted to point out that some of the best are made in the US, Australia and New Zealand also. So you can maybe consider those too, that is, if you're not "closed-minded".
From my experience (which isnt much :P) I have found that the zouk is better suited to backing where as the mandola can be used for both melody and backing. I have a mandola btw
mandola vs Bazouki
mandola vs Bazouki
My son would like to buy a mandola or bazouki - he has never played a stringed instrument before - neither have any of us - just piano, woodwind and percussion. He just wants to play for fun, mainly on his own. Do you have any advice on which would be best. They sounded very similar in the shop. Is the technique for one easier than the other. He has very large hands if that's any help.
We're from North West Wales so he would be obviously be interested in playing Celtic music among other things
Many thanks and excuse my ignorance.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by sylvia
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
If your son ever wanted to play mandolin,banjo or fiddle then the bouzouki would be the best bet.It's the same fingering if they're all tuned gdae.The mandola is tuned a fifth lower so if he took up another instrument he would have to relearn the tunes.If he has large hands,then I would go for the bouzouki.
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by dafydd
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
If it is a proper Bouzouki, he will find the distance between the frets a big difference from the mandola, making it a lot more difficult to play tunes, but maybe better for chords.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by tirvaluk
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
If your son is a complete beginner, and doesn't have a clear idea of what he wants to do with the instrument, then it probably makes little difference which he gets. The shorter scale length (c. 550-600mm) of the mandola (octave mandolin) is generally said to be better suited to melody playing than the longer scale length (up to 670mm) of the bouzouki, which, in Irish music at least, is primarily an instrument of accompaniment. But each can be used for either purpose.
In my opinion, longer-scale instruments have a better tone. Some people might be inclined to start with a shorter scaled instrument, then move on to a full-length bouzouki, but if your son has large hands, then the stretch may not be a problem.
I probably haven't helped solve your dilemma at all. My best advice would be for your son to make as many visits to the music shop as he can get away with, and play around with both instruments until he decides which one he likes better.
Incidentally, do you know about sessions in your neck of the woods? There's a great one in Bangor on Friday at The Nelson. There are a few others, I think, which you can find in the Sessions page at this site.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
A small addendum: Having read the previous two posts, I feel I shouold point out a difference in Nomenclature between the UK and the US. In the US, a mandola is an instrument tuned a 5th below the *mandolin* - i.e. viola tuning, CGDA. In th UK, the term 'mandola' is commonly insed for what Americans call the 'octave mandolin', which is tuned an octave below trhe mandolin, or a 4th below the American mandola - GDAE. The (Irish) bouzouki is, in effect, an ocatve mandolin (or UK mandola) with a longer neck.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Mandola is NOT octave mandolin. there is a noticeable scale length difference. generally octave mandolin and bouzouki is used interchangeably, but in fact, ther eis also a scale length difference there too (though an octave mandolin can make a fine bouzouki generally).
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by sifudave54
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
sorry, didn't read David's post first.
I think the mandola is a wonderful instrument, but you'll find that maybe it's not so good for celtic. In fact you will find it isn't. At least tunes in D and often in G. the range of a mandolin (and octave mandolin/bouzouki) is that of a violin, and taking a fifth off the top end...well just imagine all the songs you couldn't play the same in those keys.
otherwise its a fine instrument.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by sifudave54
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I play an octave Mandola and it is perfect for melody playing or chords.I have also played Bouzouki but found it a bit of a strain to play melody on.(My hands are not small).I would agree with David to go to as many music shops as possible and try out the instruments.
There are 2 types of Mandola Tenor and Octave.The tenor is tuned CGDA and the octave is GDAE.You can check out Dave Freshwater's website WWW.frettedfolkinstruments.com.He makes very good mandolins,mandolas,bouzoukis and is a good man to seek advice from and his instruments are not that expensive.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Dphil
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Sylvia, your son is going to get started on a wonderful family of instruments which ever he decides on.
David touches on some thing here that needs to be made clear, and that is the confusion of Octave Mandolin (us )and Mandola(uk). Same instrument, just different names for different countries. The Mandola in the US is called a Tenor Mandola in the UK. Read more here http://www.chinatogalway.com/Bouzouki%20style%20Mandola.htm
I would probably say fewer people in Irish music use the tuning CGda, so I would not recomend buying the mandola ( us ) tenor mandola ( uk ). So stick with GDae !
The Irish Bouzouki is wonderful for both chords and melody. Somepeople find the length a stretch for melody playing but I love it. Some people also change the tuning slightly to fit chord playing easier GDad. Read more of the bouzouki, and the mando family here.
http://www.chinatogalway.com/BOUZOUKI%20style%20cover%20page.htm
Good luck to you son he is about to start on a wonderful journey !!
KS
http://www.chinatogalway.com/
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by KS
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
My octave mandolin is tuned ADAd because practically everything I play is in the key of D,G, or A. for which I use a capo at fifth or seventh fret for G and A. I recently forgot my capo but to my delight I found I could play in D by moving to a second position, where I could find all the notes and not have to move my hand or s t r e t c h so much. I play melody, counter melody and drone/percussion.WB
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by wvwhistler
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I have always thought that the nomenclature for the mandolin family is based on it's parallel in the violin and viola = mandolin and mandola, the second being a 5th below the first. The Octave Mandolin would be an octave below the mandolin. An Octave Mandola by extension should really be another 5th lower again.
A mandocello is therefore tuned like a cello also, though we have conveniently left these out of the discussion!!
I realise the argument is clouded by the fact that these instruments are open to alternative tunings (well not so much the mandolin). You would not think that there would be such a lot of difficulty naming these intruments.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Donough
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Shouldn't we call a mandolin a middle when we're playing trad ?
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by BegF
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I wouldn't say that.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by BegF
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Perhaps a mandolin would be a better choice for a starter instrument in this area. Tunes are a great fit and rhythm chords/patterns will apply even if he changes later. I moved to bouzouki and mandola (US term) with little problem after yeard of mandolin. Mandolins are generally cheaper, more available and fit into other style of music easier than the bigger models.
Not looking for an argument, it's just my opinion.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Plunkett.mi
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
In my humble opinion, option (C) Mandolin. It will be easier to pick up tunes from fiddle players (because the fingering matches better), the scale length is easier on the hands, and he can still learn chording. I have a (tuned like a viola) mandola which I play both tunes and chords on, but I'm comfortable popping one or the other parts of a tune down an octave, something I wouldn't want to mess with as a beginner.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by reenactor
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Donough - I believe the term 'octave mandola' has been used as an alternative name for a mandocello - which is tuned an octave below the (US) mandola. But let's try not to confuse matters.
Since Sylvia says, "They sounded very similar in the shop," and makes no mention of any difference in pitch, we can probably safely assume that the mandola to which she refers is the octave mandolin, not the other one. One certainly often sees octave mandolins in music shops in Britain labelled 'mandola', sometimes 'octave mandola'.
I think I am beginning to understand why pedants like myself exist .
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
My last post is lost in cyber space I think.Just in case I 'll repeat.
What a can of worms this post has opened.
I now play one of those Overgrown Mandolin Thingys .Hope Slyvia is not too confused.
Your son should enjoy playing one of these as they are easy enough to learn and are very versatile no mater what type of music.
Ps I will have to change my profile.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Dphil
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
If Sylvia is'nt confused by now, well I certainly am! Donough is exactly correct in his post. The Mandolin family is named ( and tuned) exactly in paralell with the violin family. So a Mandola is equivalent to a Viola and is tuned CGDA. An octave mandolin is tuned an octave below a Mandolin ie, GDAE.
An Irish Bouzouki is generally tuned GDAD, or sometimes ADAD. It really is'nt related to any of the others except in its general shape. There are a lot of stores selling instruments purporting to be bouzoukis,which are just long-necked mandolins made in the far east. My advice would be to go for an Irish or UK manufactured one.
The Mandola is very rare in sessions, and is not heard much anymore, even on recordings. It probably falls into the same category as the Digeridoo.....It does'nt really have any future in ITM. It might be of benefit to know that the Mandola is'nt played on stage by ANY well known Trad. band, and even in the regrouped Planxty, there is no sign of one.
There is a great deal of nonsense written on the web about this family of instruments, and I regret to say,some of it is repeated above, but if you want to play ITM, and you are torn between a mandola, and an irish Bouzouki, there's no competition I'm afraid. It has to be the bouzouki!
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by Backer
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
The Mandola IS played in at least one well known ITM band - Dervish! Brian McDonagh plays what I beleive to be a mandola (in the US nomenclature - traditionally tuned CGDA), but tunes it, as I do, DAEA or similar. With this tuning, you have a range more in line with a flute than a fiddle, a fourth (?) below a mandolin. I find this works great for tune playing and some accompanyment in ITM. I tune my tenor guitar the same way and also play a Bouzouki tuned GDAD (a fifth lower). I play lead and accompanyment on all of them.
# Posted on November 17th 2004 by pdx138
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I think that saying an instrument has no future in ITM simply because it's not played in a currently well-known trad band is short-sighted.
# Posted on November 18th 2004 by reenactor
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Mandola = digeridoo. Is that an octave digerdoo or tenor.
Isnt it great to have such expert advice .
As my late father used to say no need to bring a gobshite you'll always find one there.
# Posted on November 18th 2004 by Dphil
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
What do you get if you cross a guitar with a mandola. Is it a Guitola or a Mandara? for God's sake pdx138, you need to get out more. As for Dphil, youll always find whatever you expected to if you set out with a closed mind.
# Posted on November 19th 2004 by Backer
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
A Mandala
# Posted on November 20th 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I've only just caught up on this as I was away for a few days. The bouzouki we play in ITM bears very little resemblence to the original of the species ie the Greek bouzouki. It has three courses of strings and is tuned very differently to the way we tune it. Many of these instruments have evolved since the 1970s when Johnny Moynihan and Andy Irvine first introduced them to ITM. I once asked Andy Irvine to name the instrument I play - because I wasn't quite sure what it was. He said "Well you wouldn't know really - it's either a short-necked bouzouki or a long necked mandola". He didn't seem to think the name mattered much. Thing is - it works. I think Dphil plays one like mine, and would agree. For a young player, I Believe the shorter necked instrument would be more manageable, but I'd avoid the one with the viola tuning (CGDA) as it's less versatile
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by Muireann
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
The Mandola is a confusing part of the mandolin family. It has been labelled Octave Mandola, Octave mandolin, mandola, and Tenor mandola. Many makers including Sobell, Fylde etc call this instrument an Octave Mandola when tuned GDae and a Tenor Mandola when tuned CGda. It has been called an Octave Mandolin by makers in the USA. Infact to be very honest I have only heard the name Octave mandolin over the past couple of years. For me I still like the name Octave mandola, or simply mandola.
The main attraction of the modern mandola, Octave Mandola or Octave Mandolin, which ever you want to call it, is the scale length. Coming in between the mandolin and the Irish Bouzouki this can be a very comfortable size for playing fast melody, and really works well with Jigs and Reels.
This is the best description For the Mandola that is being played at sessions.It is taken from the site (www.chinatogalway )
I may be out of my mind but it certainly isn't closed.
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by Dphil
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Sobell does not use the term "tenor mandola". He calls CGDA just "mandola", and GDAE is "octave mandolin". I'd go by what he says - I'd say he knows what he's talking about
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
"The Mandola is very rare in sessions, and is not heard much anymore, even on recordings. It probably falls into the same category as the Digeridoo.....It does'nt really have any future in ITM. It might be of benefit to know that the Mandola is'nt played on stage by ANY well known Trad. band, and even in the regrouped Planxty, there is no sign of one."
It is rare, but it certainly doesn't fall into the category of digeridoo. I play mandola myself, albeit with an extra bottom course. If you think the mandola has no future in ITM, you need to listen to Brian McDonagh's playing, as pdx138 says. DAEA tuning is great!
Backer, to say that pdx138 "needs to get out more" and Dphil is "closed-minded" is laughable. You clearly don't know WTF you are talking about.
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Dow you are correct about Sobell's description of the instrument.Interesting that he describes the Bouzouki as a long scale octave mandolin.
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by Dphil
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
That's all it is really. You can tune both GDAD or GDAE, or however you like, so the main distinction is in scale length, and hence amount of sustain/tone/blah blah blah. They're all the bloody same basically. Sylvia, get your son to think of a tuning and sound he wants, try out a few instruments in some music shops, whatever, but don't let anyone tell you that something's "unsuitable" just because the neck isn't the right length (what about Andy Irvine's Portuguese guitar?!), because I agree with Backer that "there is a great deal of nonsense written on the web about this family of instruments, and I regret to say,some of it is repeated above" *smirk*...
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Dow - I am laughing with tears roling down my face because of your last line!!! I was going to go into some huge spiel about how the Mandola is way cool and to compare it to a didge is just plain wrong & Ignorant. But you are right -obvioulsy some people dont not know WTF they aretalking about so what is the point? I really like the sound of your Mandola btw! Its lovely!
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by bb
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I'm not finished yet Beebs. "My advice would be to go for an Irish or UK manufactured one [zouk]". Just wanted to point out that some of the best are made in the US, Australia and New Zealand also. So you can maybe consider those too, that is, if you're not "closed-minded".
# Posted on November 25th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
Dow, thanks for making sense, I'm new to this, and you've cleared a few things up for me.
# Posted on November 26th 2004 by BegF
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
How are the chords on a cittern fingered? Is it like a fiddle/mandolin? What does one do with the fifth string?
# Posted on July 29th 2005 by Herding Cats
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
I find my mandola very versatile and forgiving. I call it Nelson.
# Posted on January 26th 2007 by oldstrings
Re: mandola vs Bazouki
From my experience (which isnt much :P) I have found that the zouk is better suited to backing where as the mandola can be used for both melody and backing. I have a mandola btw
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by Joneser