Mandolin
Mandolins are eight to twelve stringed instruments in the lute family averaging about 69 cm in length. They feature courses of strings that are doubled in unison pitch. An eight stringed mandolin would have four courses of strings. The mandolin is played by fingering the fret board and strumming or plucking the strings with a plectrum or bare fingers.
Mandolins are found in many styles of music all over the world. A famous example of mandolin in popular music is Losing my Religion by R.E.M.
When you borrow a mandolin from RPL, you will receive it in a case to protect it. You will also receive a pick, a strap and a tuner.
An instrument in good condition makes better music. Please see our Care and Respect video below, to learn how to take care of the mandolin while you have it.
Never played before? No problem! You can also access free step-by-step video lessons for a variety of instruments through our digital services:
LinkedIn Learning
Gale Courses
Kanopy
Instrument photos courtesy of Vancouver Public Library
Videos
Tutorials
• Mandolin Lessons (LinkedIn Learning course free with your library card)
• JazzMando (lessons to take you beyond folk and world music)
• MandoLessons (introductory, beginner and intermediate lessons)
• Bradley Laird (video lessons, podcasts and chord charts)
• Don Julin (lessons with Don Julin on Youtube)
Helpful Links
• Mandolin Cafe (forum, chords, tabs, lessons and more)
• MandoTabs (mandolin tabs for popular songs)
Helpful Apps
• Guitar Tuna (Google Play) (tuner)
• Guitar Tuna (iTunes) (tuner)
• Basichords (Google Play) (finger positions and chords)
• Basichords (iTunes) (finger positions and chords)