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The mandolin can be described as a small, short-necked eight string lute or a chordophone,
an instrument which makes sound by the vibration of strings. The mandolin is one of the
earliest instruments dating back to 2000 B.C. Mesopotamia.
The mandolin entered the mainstream of popular American culture during the first shift of
immigration into the U.S. from eastern and western Europe. In the 1850s the zithers, mandolas,
ukeleles, and other exotic instruments were shared among the middle class. The mandolin was
among the irst recorded instrument growing both in popularity and change during the end of the
1800s.
By the turn of the century, mandolin orchestras were forming in schools and colleges. In 1900
a company began to produce and distribute mandolins of various types. From the turn of the
century to the 1940s a handful of mandolinists, mainly immigrants, performed, recorded, composed,
and arranged for the mandolin. These artists appeared in concert halls and vaudeville settings,
performing ethnic, popular, and classical music on the mandolin.
The mandolin, along with the banjo and other guitar types became the rage among the middle class
youth on college campuses, towns, and cities throughout the South.
Bill Monroe and the Monroe Brothers took the mandolin out of the "back seat" when it began to
sort of temporarily wane after it's peak. The Monroe Brothers became among one of the most
popular brothers acts around.
The mandolin today continues to be a popular and vital instrument. It has made quite a come-
back through time. It is used especially as an accompaniment instrument in country music, is
resonsible for the sound in the 60s and 70s, and gave way to the powerful neo-traditionalist
movement that re-introduced the mandolin to country audiences. It is even used in the typical
rock music today as in "unplugged." The classical mandolin, however, will always be significant
not only in it's history and tradition, but especially in it's growth and necessity in music
today.
Mandolin Links
Mandolin Information
50 Mandolin tunes
Email: rachele@n2art.com
