Sound House lessons for beginners
Mandolin Course
Name of the parts of the mandolin

Name of the parts of the mandolin

First of all, let's learn the names of each part of the mandolin. Most of the parts are common to flat mandolins and classic mandolins.

Head

The tip of the neck. Classic mandolin heads come in two shapes: Naples and Roman.

Classic mandolin Naples

Classic mandolin Roman

Peg

Parts to wind the strings. Perform tuning by adjusting the string tension by turning these. These are divided into left and right with 4 strings each.

Nut

The part between the fingerboard and the head. Grooves are carved at the position where the strings pass, and it has the role of maintaining the spacing between the strings and supporting the strings. This is also the fulcrum for the sound of the open string.

Neck

The stringed portion. The difference in thickness, shape, material, and the finish changes the sound and feel.

Fingerboard

The top surface of the neck. This is the part that determines the pitch of the sound by pressing the strings with the fingers of the left hand.

Fret

Metal on the fingerboard that determines the pitch, and it changes by one semitone for each fret. From the end closer to the head, they are called the 1st fret, the 2nd fret, and so on.

Position Markers

Marks on the surface and sides of the fingerboard to make it easier to see the playing position on the fingerboard. There are various marks depending on the model, such as dots, blocks, snowflakes, and cat's eyes.

Body

A part where the vibration of the strings resonates. The tone changes greatly depending on the material and shape of the body. Flat mandolins come in two shapes, A-style and F-style. The back side of the body of the classic mandolin is made by laminating multiple thin wooden plates and it swells in a hemispherical shape.

A-style Flat Mandolin

F-style Flat Mandolin

Classic Mandolin

Sound hole

A hole that emits the sound resonating inside the body. There are various shapes. Flat mandolins generally have f-holes, and classic mandolins generally have round holes or oval holes.

Flat Mandolin (f-holes)

Classic Mandolin (oval hole)

Pick guard

A part to prevent the body from being scratched by picking. Most flat mandolins have a floating type pick guard, while some models do not have a pickguard.
The pick guard on a classic mandolin is embedded in the top of the body, and the shape and material vary depending on the model. It also plays a large role as a decoration and emphasizes the individuality of the instrument.

Flat Mandolin

Classic Mandolin

Bridge

The part that supports the strings and transmits the vibration of the strings to the body. It is not fixed to the body and the position can be adjusted.

Arm guard

A plate that supports the arm and protects the surface of the instrument and the strings from touching the arm. It is not usually installed on flat mandolins and is peculiar to classic mandolins. Sizes and designs vary from model to model.

Tail piece

The part that fastens the end of the string. Hang the loop on the end of the string on the pin attached to the tail piece. It is located on the lower surface of the body for flat mandolins and on the lower side of the body for classic mandolins. A cover is attached to the tail piece of the flat mandolin.