Instrument: Mandolin

In this film, Nigel Woodhouse introduces the mandolin. The mandolin has been used by many composers across the centuries to give special colour to the orchestra, often evoking folk music.

The Philharmonia is a world-class symphony orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.

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[Holobrine]

My grandfather had a mandolin, and he let me strum it while he held onto the neck, changing the chords around to make it sound good. My 5 year old brain believed I was playing it all by myself.

[neeps]

The face and the eyes sparkle while talking about a thing that he loves but he's wringing his hands in humble discomfort at having a camera on him.
I bet he's a good guy.

[mandolinic]

Mandolin: one of the world's greatest instruments. So much punch for such a little package.

[philharmonia_orchestra]

We accidentally flagged a lovely comment we got over the weekend - many apologies. We're not sure the name of the user, but we invite you to please repost your comment!

[dudeplaygames]

He looks so happy when talking about the mandolin

[dhemi]

He speaks very well. Very coherent and informative. I wish I can learn more than this instrument from him. He's a very sound man.

[tamneal]

I always find these Philharmonia 'Instrument' videos extremely informative. Always learn something new! Tx

[jannisopel]

12:20 He played the Aubade one of my all time favorite small pieces. It made me so happy.

[jumpingjflash]

Well done, Nigel. All the introductions are excellent but your introduction to the mandolin is most excellent

[Intbel]

Interesting and informative, thank you. Also interestingly (or not, >shrug<) when v. young, 8/9 years of age, my grandfather gave me a violin. While I appreciated the instrument, I most certainly did not appreciate the classical stuff forced on me by the tutor. (Two shillings and sixpence per hour). Then for some reason I stopped playing, parents sent me to a boarding school and when, after two years I returned home, discovered they has sold my precious violin. I was pissed off big time as having some rock an' roll scores I was looking forward to doing a li'l busking to get some baccy money. I was then14-15 years of age, 1961/2

Never again touched a musical instrument until a few years ago when I attended a party where one member of a folk duo was playing mando. That piqued my interest, for until then I knew nothing of mandolins other than Italians played 'em on gondolas and beneath the balconies
upon which langished the objects of their unrequited lust.

I had a chat with the guy, handled the instrument, discovered the stringing, tuning and fingering was identical the that of the violin and thought, "Hey I could play one of these!"
Some things from sixty year ago one doesn't forget, GDAE etcetera ...

So, next day I purchased my first mandolin only £50, to see if Icould get my fingers around it.
(Actually, I think it was a plywood box masquerading as a mandolin.) A week later, returned to the retailer, who also happens by be an excellent luthiér, told him he could have it back and please could I have that one, pointing to a Tanglewood 'F' style.

Tum te tum ... that set me on the road to ruin ... later I purchased a Kentucky 'A' style, that followed by a resonator and a banjolin and later another rather cheap but pretty, F' style and more recently an Ozark 'F' which is an absolute delight.

HOWEVER ... even more recently, (like last week!) I came across a 'Neopolitan' mandolin made by the renowned Mr G. La Foley of London. It (mando, not Mr. Foley) being in excellent condition for a 100 yo instrument (not even any visible fret-wear!) and at a reasonable price, I purchased it and have barely put it down since.

Took a bit of getting used to as the frets are closer together and I have yet to figure out how to hold it steady (rolls around all by itself!) while playing for more'n a few minutes.

Now all I have to to is find a classical mandolin tutor ... beginning to think such an animal does not exist. AND, now I have to sell a few mandolins 'cos I want the cash for a NEW bowl-back, or at least, a high quality 2nd hand modern offering and anyway, who neeeds six freakin' mandos ... ?

And anyone who says that I'm too old to begin learning classical mando needs to know something: 70 is the new 40.
(So there).

[joaoguilherme]

It's so good to see his afection with the instrument

[peterharrison]

Great presentation! Brings me back to my time in Naples in '84-'87 and all the great players there. Also, my grandfather, who was born in Italy, played both violin and mandolin. Such great memories! Thanks so much for doing this!

Sincerely,

PMH

[christophertsiliacos]

I first learned to play the violin and then the mandolin. As you said, the mandolin is tuned to the exact same open strings as the violin: G, D, A, E. Playing the mandolin is something like playing the violin pizzicato (held like a guitar) without using tremolo; and unlike the violin, the mandolin has frets for easy access! 😊 🎼 ♫

[sayarsan]

An informative, accessible and reliable introduction to the various types of mandolins including history of construction and music styles.

[michaelnancyamsden]

This is very intetesting and informative
The instrument is beautifully. Mr. Woodhouse is a virtuoso. Playing all the short excerpts as examples from heart. Great video.

[SteffenThole]

I've been studying music at a conservatory for a bit over four years now. And I am still learning a lot through this series because each musician has such an incredibly in-depth knowledge. And this includes the "big" classical instruments, too, like the violin, flute, trumpet etc. But especially the mandolin. I knew it existed, I know you used could use tremolo and strum, but that was it. Thank you for this series, and thank you soooo much on behalf of music pedagogy for making this as available and accessible as possible by posting it on YouTube, for free, with big and easy to read subtitles that include those little [strums a chord] things. I love your work.

[tomsmusiclessons]

Wonderfully informative, thank you for putting this together!

[nixitha]

I'm planning on starting to learn the mandolin and this was by far the best video that helped me make my decision. Thank you!

[digger]

What an excellent video! Thank you Nigel Woodhouse. I am from southern Ontario, Canada and came to your video after searching celtic instruments and wanting to know more. I thought I would just click on your link to hear the sounds of the Mandolin and then head off to other instruments. Your video just drew me in! So informative and educational. I stayed and watched to the end. My thanks comes in the form of a thumbs up and hitting the subscribe button but I'm hoping the satisfaction you get in knowing how much it was appreciated, makes you feel a bit better about the video you created.

[infledermaus]

I'm a mandolin player and very familiar with its history, but I have learned several new things from you. Thank you so much for your informative video! Beautiful mandolin! I have an old Embergher style German mandolin (Gold Klang or so I was told) that I love. I have a flat back, but don't play it often. My greatest joy is playing baroque music. Very informative video.