Mandolin, << MAN duh lihn, >> is a stringed musical instrument. It has a narrow, fretted (ridged) neck attached to a pear-shaped body that resembles the body of a lute. Most mandolins have four pairs of strings. Others have five pairs. The strings run from the top of the neck to a low bridge near the bottom of the body. The player strums the strings with a plectrum (pick) held between the thumb and index finger of the right hand. With the fingers of the left hand, the player presses down the strings along the neck to vary the pitch. During the 1700’s, the mandolin gained some use in classical music. Today, it is chiefly played in popular music.
Mandolin
