mandola
Definition
Noun: 1. A musical instrument; an early type of mandolin: A mandola is a stringed musical instrument, typically larger than a mandolin and tuned lower. It is a member of the lute family and is often used in folk and classical music.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The musician expertly tuned the mandola before the performance.
- The piece was written for violin, cello, and mandola.
- He collects historical stringed instruments, including a 19th-century mandola.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Cultural Context: The term "mandola" often refers specifically to the tenor instrument in the modern mandolin family, which is tuned a fifth below a mandolin (C-G-D-A). Its larger body and longer scale length produce a deeper, richer tone.
Variants and Related Words
- Mandolin (noun): A smaller, higher-pitched instrument in the same family, typically tuned G-D-A-E.
- Mandocello (noun): A larger, lower-pitched instrument in the mandolin family, tuned an octave below the mandola.
Synonyms
- Tenor mandolin (This is often used as a synonym in modern contexts to distinguish it from other members of the family).
Related Terms
- Lute family: The family of stringed instruments with a rounded body and a neck, to which the mandola belongs.
- Course (in music): A pair of strings tuned in unison, which is a standard feature on mandolas and mandolins. A mandola typically has four courses (eight strings).
Noun
-
an early type of mandolin
