Lyla Lindsey
The mandolin is a musical instrument that is a part of the lute family and typically features 8 strings in 4 unison pairs. The instrument has been used in various genres of music, including bluegrass, folk, and classical. While mandolins are manufactured worldwide, some Australian brands that sell mandolins include Derringers Music, Better Music, Mega Music Australia, and Peter Coombe. Peter Coombe, a luthier based in Bega, Australia, has been making mandolins since 1994 and has sold his instruments in Australia and internationally in the USA and Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Strings | 8 strings in four pairs |
| Tuning | Each pair is tuned to the same note (E-A-D-G), similar to a violin |
| Origin | Descendant of the Italian Mandolino or Small Mandola |
| History | Popular in orchestras at the turn of the 20th century, and as a solo instrument in Bluegrass bands in the 1930s |
| Manufacturers | Peter Coombe, Derringers Music, Mega Music Australia |
| Speciality | Peter Coombe uses Australian native woods and offers custom-made instruments |
| Models | F-Shape, Teardrop, Oval Hole, Flat Top, A5, Pancake, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- Luthier Peter Coombe makes mandolins from Australian native woods
- Mandolins are descendants of the Italian Mandolino or Small Mandola
- You can buy mandolins online from Mega Music Australia
- Mandolins have 8 strings in 4 pairs, tuned like a violin
- Mandolin orchestras were popular at the turn of the 20th century
Luthier Peter Coombe makes mandolins from Australian native woods
Luthier Peter Coombe has been crafting mandolins and mandolas in Australia since 1994 and guitars since 2011. Based in Bega, Coombe has created over 330 instruments, which have been sold in Australia and exported to the USA and Europe.
Coombe is an advocate for the use of Australian native woods in musical instruments and has published articles on the topic. One of his mandolins, made almost entirely from Australian woods, is on display in the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
Coombe's current projects include oval hole mandolins based on the Gibson design, including a special mandolin made from Australian woods. He is also working on an A5 mandolin, a Lyon and Healy reproduction mandolin, and a pancake mandolin based on the Gibson Army Navy mandolins. In addition, he has designed two unique mandolins: a flat-top mandolin with a Lyon and Healy style C body, and a small-bodied oval mandolin.
Coombe also creates custom instruments according to his customers' specifications. His workshop offers repairs on mandolins and guitars, and he has recently added a new short-scale octave mandolin to his repertoire.
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Mandolins are descendants of the Italian Mandolino or Small Mandola
The mandolin is a member of the lute family of instruments, dating back to Italy in the 18th century. The modern bowlback version of the instrument was developed by the Vinaccia family of Naples, Italy. The Vinaccia family designed the metal-string mandolin in 1744, with 3 brass strings and one gut string. The mandolin is also said to be a descendant of the Italian Mandolino or Small Mandola, a lute-shaped instrument used in classical music.
The transition from the mandolino to the mandolin led to the creation of the Neapolitan and Florentine mandolins. German historian Konrad Wölki disagreed with this, arguing that the Florentine and Neapolitan mandolins were "not genuine descendants of the mandola". Musician and historian Alex Timmerman, however, charts the evolution of the mandolino into the mandolins of today. The Neapolitan mandolin became the most widespread style, though the Roman style also influenced its development.
The Neapolitan mandolin features a deep bowl-shaped back, constructed of strips of wood glued together. The Roman mandolin, on the other hand, has a more curved and narrow fingerboard. The back of the neck is less rounded with an edge, and the bridge is curved, making the G strings higher. The Roman mandolin also had mechanical tuning gears before the Neapolitan.
The mandolin has been used in various genres of music, including bluegrass, folk, classical, and baroque. In the early 20th century, mandolin orchestras were popular, and the instrument was commonly used in vocal duets. The mandolin was also a key feature in bluegrass bands, popularised by the genre's founder, Bill Monroe.
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You can buy mandolins online from Mega Music Australia
Mega Music has two stores in Perth, Western Australia, with one located on North Lake Road in Myaree and the other on Prindiville Drive in Wangara. The Myaree store has been recently renovated to offer an unparalleled shopping experience.
While it is not clear whether Mega Music stocks mandolins made in Australia, they do offer a repair and maintenance service for musical instruments and amplifiers. They also provide various deals and promotions, such as cashback offers and free items with certain purchases.
Other online retailers that sell mandolins in Australia include Better Music and Derringers Music. Better Music offers free shipping on orders over $100 to metro areas in ACT, NSW, VIC, and QLD, with subsidized rates for regional areas. Derringers Music stocks a good selection of mandolins from major brands, showcasing the instrument's versatility across various music genres.
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Mandolins have 8 strings in 4 pairs, tuned like a violin
Mandolins are musical instruments in the lute family, generally plucked with a pick. They are commonly associated with bluegrass and folk music, but can be found in all genres, from rock to classical. Mandolins typically have four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, giving a total of eight strings.
The paired strings of the mandolin are tuned to the same note, increasing the volume and sustain of the note. The four pairs of strings are tuned in the same way as a violin, that is, G3-D4-A4-E5 in scientific pitch notation or g-d′-a′-e″ in Helmholtz pitch notation. This tuning is also known as "perfect fifths". The E pair should be the bottom strings, with the tuners for the A and E strings found on the lower side of the mandolin's headstock, and the tuners for the G and D strings on the upper side.
The strings of a mandolin can be made from a variety of materials, with steel being the most common and usually the least expensive. The double-string feature of the mandolin is meant to amplify the volume of the instrument. This is in contrast to the most popular string instruments, like the guitar and the violin, which have single strings, making them easier to learn and play.
Mandolins are available to purchase in Australia from various retailers, including Better Music and Derringers Music.
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Mandolin orchestras were popular at the turn of the 20th century
Mandolin orchestras rose to popularity at the turn of the 20th century. In the early 1900s, Walter Stent organised what may have been the first Mandolin Orchestra in Sydney, Australia. Around the same time, in 1908, the Bonne Amie Musical Circle (now the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra) was formed, becoming the oldest fretted-instrument music organisation in the United States. Mandolin orchestras were also popular in the US, with the first German mandolin clubs forming in the 1890s. By January 1913, there were 200 mandolin clubs in northern Germany, comprising mandolin and guitar players.
Mandolin orchestras were a common fixture in many cities and schools in the early 20th century. They were particularly prevalent in the western world, as well as in Japan, Korea, and South America. These orchestras primarily consisted of instruments from the mandolin family, such as the mandolin, mandola, mandocello, and mandobass. Some orchestras also included guitars and double basses. The music played by these orchestras ranged from simple marches and foxtrots to more complex "serious" compositions.
The popularity of mandolin orchestras continued into the 1910s and 1920s, with the New York Mandolin Orchestra forming in 1924. During this time, the mandolin was the main lead instrument in many vocal duets. However, the advent of radio and the availability of inexpensive recorded music players contributed to the decline of mandolin orchestras during and after World War I. Despite this, some mandolin orchestras continued to persist, such as the New York Mandolin Orchestra, which remained active during World War II.
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Frequently asked questions
Mandolins made in Australia include F-shape mandolins, oval hole mandolins, and flat-top mandolins.
Peter Coombe, a luthier based in Bega, Australia, has been making mandolins and mandolas since 1994.
Australian-made mandolins are typically made from Australian native woods.
You can buy an Australian-made mandolin directly from the luthier, Peter Coombe, or from music stores in Australia, such as Derringers Music, Better Music, and Mega Music Australia.
Yes, there are different types of mandolins, including F-style, A-style, oval hole, and flat-top mandolins. The mandolin is a descendant of the lute family and typically has eight strings consisting of four pairs tuned in unison.
