My Favorite Mandolin Videos on YouTube

The mandolino predecessor of the modern mandolin was developed during the Baroque period (1600-1750) in Italy. The mandolino strung with much quieter gut strings was used chiefly in small chamber orchestra settings. During Baroque period many composers wrote music for the mandolino the best known being Antonio Vivaldi.

Later classical composers including Beethoven and Mozart wrote for and played steel strung modern mandolins. These louder steel strung instruments allowed the mandolin to take a place in larger orchestras.

With a resurgence of interest in playing Baroque music, the mandolin maintains its place of honor among early classical players.

If you have never been a fan of classical music I think you may be surprised when you listen to it played on a mandolin.

In the U.S. I have seen Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and English music often lumped into the genre Celtic Music. Even though "Celtic" music is not really an accurate descriptor I am going to use the term here for the sake of space and because most people are familiar with "Celtic" music as a genre.

The mandolin has been used for generations in the traditional music of England and Scotland. The mandolin is also gaining popularity with traditional musicians in Ireland.

The popularity of Celtic music has been on the rise as of late and I can see why. Who can resist enjoying a lively jig, reel, or hornpipe?

During the beginning of the 20th century in the U.S. mandolin orchestras were a popular fad, no doubt spurred by the influx of European immigrants.

Mandolins were used in southern string bands during the 1930, but it was the "Father of Bluegrass" Bill Monroe and his Gibson F5 who forged the mandolins place as the defining instrument of modern Bluegrass music during the 1940's

The mandolin has even found a place in Rock and Roll music. Many " Rock and Roll" bands and musicians have included the mandolin in their performances most notably, Leon Helm of "The Band", Ian Anderson of "Jethro Tull", David Grisman of "The Grateful Dead", Rod Stewart, Peter Buck of "R.E.M.", and many more.

Interest in the mandolin is spurring much technological advancement. You can find pick-ups to retro fit to your acoustic mandolin. Some companies are producing solid body electric mandolins. The ability to plug in has allowed the mandolin to find a place in hard driven modern rock and roll music.