Mandolin Lessons in Bolton

I give lessons on the mandolin in various styles ie bluegrass folk, classical etc. Students are encouraged to read music or can play from 'tab'.

A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family and is usually plucked with a plectrum or "pick". It as four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison (8 strings). The courses are normally tuned in a succession of perfect fifths [ G,D,A,E] the same tuning as the violin.

There are many styles of mandolin, but three are common, the Neapolitan or round-backed mandolin, the carved-top mandolin and the flat-backed mandolin. The round-back has a deep bottom, constructed of strips of wood, glued together into a bowl. The carved-top or arch-top mandolin has a much shallower, arched back, and an arched top—both carved out of wood. The flat-backed mandolin uses thin sheets of wood for the body, braced on the inside for strength in a similar manner to a guitar. Each style of instrument has its own sound quality and is associated with particular forms of music. Neapolitan mandolins feature prominently in European classical music and traditional music. Carved-top instruments are common in American folk music and bluegrass music. Flat-backed instruments are commonly used in Irish, British and Brazilian folk music.