Mandolin Beginner's Guide

There are two types of mandolins: the “classical mandolin,” which has a bodice shaped like a fig, and the “flat mandolin,” which looks like a small guitar and is played with a mandolin pick. The strings are four-course recorder strings, eight in all. It is often used in classical music as well as bluegrass and country. The tuning is the same as that of the violin, with G (so), D (le), A (la), and E (mi) from the lowest to the highest, and a double-string configuration with two identical notes each.

Features

Classical mandolin“ and ”flat mandolin" are the two types.
Eight strings, tuned the same as a violin, with two strings of the same pitch each.
The mandolin is basically played with a mandolin pick.
The classical mandolin has a deep and warm tone.
Flat mandolin has a clear, sparkling tone.