A mandolin orchestra is a group of musicians who perform with instruments from the mandolin family. The most well-known mandolin instrument is the traditional mandolin. It’s a four-stringed guitar with four sets of two strings. The mandolin is much smaller than the guitar, and its sound is distinct due to its string combinations. Due to the fact that the sets of strings on the guitar, as well as the violin and other stringed instruments, have different tonal relationships, it has a different fingering scheme on the fretboard.
Other mandolin types, in addition to the standard mandolin, make up a mandolin orchestra. The range of these distinguishes many of them. The mandocello, for example, is a mandolin with a lower register. It has the same string sets as the original, but is built on a larger frame with a design that produces a deeper sound. The mandocello is often compared to the mandolin in the same way that the cello is compared to the violin.
The mandola and mandobass are two other mandolin instruments. In a mandolin orchestra, classical guitars can also be used. Many of these instruments will be presented in a solo and orchestra format, with one instrument receiving special attention while the rest of the orchestra backs up the soloist on orchestral sections of the music scores.
Many of these setups will include vocals and other musical components in addition to the range of stringed instruments used in a mandolin orchestra. A vocalist may perform the solo, with the mandolin orchestra providing support, while other performances may feature both a vocalist and a solo instrument. Mandolin-guitar duets and other similar configurations are also examples of mandolin orchestra music.
Orchestras of mandolins can play a wide range of music. Some of these groups specialize in classical music and formal instrumentals, while others specialize in upbeat music like marches and “rags.” Specific types of music, such as show tunes or even folk music, may be performed by specialty groups. Many of these arrangements are based on a specific audience, with public and private orchestras anticipating what their regular patrons will want to hear. These bands perform at a variety of events and in a variety of venues, but they all feature the distinct sounds of mandolin instruments.