Octave mandolin should be way more popular

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro / context
0:50 What is an octave mandolin?
1:18 Double mando discovery
2:07 Jamming / writing
3:30 Mic setup & episode sponsor: MiCreator
4:38 Recording mandolin
6:01 Bass
6:33 Drums & percussion
8:30 Final track
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If you're new here, my name is Andrew Huang and I'm a musician who works with many genres and many instruments - and I've also made music with many things that aren't instruments like balloons, pants, water, and dentist equipment. For more info visit my website: andrewhuang.com
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[@andrewhuang]

Thanks for watching! This is the octave mandolin I bought: www.eastmanguitars.com/mdo305 The song in this video is exclusive to my Patreon: patreon.com/andrewhuang Thanks Austrian Audio for sponsoring! Check out their MiCreator USB-C mic/interface: austrian.audio/micreator

[@RantGrumps]

Nice playing

[@Schwa_Iska]

Diablo 1 village vibes. Loving it.

[@SPLENDIDZEN]

Andrew... it's your way (at least to get the attention of your followers). I love your videos about technology applied to music, but (there is always a but), these videos about musical instruments that are not so common, I "love" them... I hope you get excited about low frequency musical instruments ( for example the Fender IV or baritone guitars), I would also like you to be able to build homemade string musical instruments or others... A cordial greeting from Madrid (Spain)!!!

[@FoolishFrost]

Wait until your heathen ways find out about the Mandobass. Eight string of pure bass evil.

[@madsam7582]

The Mandocello is another great one, the sonorous tuning and feel of a cello, with the aural feel of a Mandolin.

[@HurpleMonkey]

So, uh, we need an Andrew Huang progressive rock album, please and thank you.

[@bluestarorion]

HOLY MOLY. AGREED.

[@Sanber]

YES!

[@Bein_Ian]

Work with polyphia or PPC

[@kitsvn]

bump

[@Asspirin101]

Yes please! I need more prog!

[@LegendaryMuffins]

This track can only be described as intensely beautiful, though it was slightly hard to hear over my wallet screaming in fear of me discovering a new instrument

[@weirdo337]

Good news, I got one of these off thomann (the Thomann Octave Mandolin M1087) and it sounds great and it cost like 200 dollars so it’s pretty cheap for a whole instrument

[@grays.2679]

Your wallet had good reason for it's fear

[@PlasticCyborg]

As a mandolin player, I love this.

[@andrewhuang]

This means a lot honestly haha!

[@PlasticCyborg]

@@andrewhuang This video actually has made me feel like I'm no longer on the fence about wanting something like an octave mandolin or a bouzouki. I definitely want one now.

[@joshuamorganmusic]

Me too! I also have a custom 5 string octave mando (very ‘guitar like’ but still it’s own thing)

[@benraftery4256]

as a bousouki player this video is awesome

[@rushikeshrawool9969]

As a human, I love this :)

[@thetophat5332]

I think we need a whole Andrew Huang Album in this style. It's fantastic

[@Nicenigel14]

Agree

[@Daphoid]

I’m getting A Perfect Circle or Tool vibes here. I kept waiting for the drums and bass to kick in as the progressed. Woo. . Love it.

[@Stratozfearz]

Was just thinking the same thing!

[@MrMarci878]

Glad there's others with that feel

[@ResidentRob]

With a little Soundgarden thrown in

[@jacksonkerr2095]

The original name in Italian for the mandolin is actually "Mandolino" (transliterated 'little mandola') The Mandola, tuned a fifth lower is the equivalent of a viola in an orchestra. Then you have the octave mandolin which fills the tenor role, the mando-cello, and there is also a mando-bass, which is much larger in proportion to the mandolin than the other instruments are.

[@eyeball226]

This is why octave mandolin is a silly name. The entire family is the mandola family, so naming it as a big version of a small version of the instrument is kind of redundant. In the UK, the higher CGDA instrument is a tenor mandola and the lower GDAE one is sometimes called an octave mandola (I just call mine a mandola).

[@InventorZahran]

@@eyeball226The mando-cello was probably originally called "mandolincello", like its relative the violincello.

[@eyeball226]

@@InventorZahran Well it's actually violoncello, not violincello. So I'd guess mandoloncello probably?

[@gokuuzumaki70]

​@@eyeball226Yes, mandocello in Italian is mandoloncello

[@eyeball226]

@@gokuuzumaki70 Am I right in thinking the -cello suffix is diminutive? So a violoncello is a small violone (presumably an extinct larger instrument)?

[@moisa123]

Andrew, you MUST know about the Brazilian viola caipira. 10 strings, open tuning, please hear a few songs in the style of "pagode de viola". We have our own Hendrix, Tião Carreiro. And really a beautiful sound, octave mandolin, thanks for sharing!

[@lucasgraeff5391]

muito foda

[@xorikenmusic]

slk seria foda

[@evanbarnes9984]

Dude the way you can just pick up any instrument and immediately make gorgeous music is absolutely incredible!

[@kennethlien7997]

In Norwegian hardanger fiddle music the GDAD tuning is called Ljøsblått which means light blue. There are around 20 different tunings in the hardanger fiddle tradition. All those tunings would work perfectly on this instrument. One of my favorites are called gorrlaus, which means damned loose, it’s FDAE. So you get the minor third as a bass drone. Used for the ecstatic tunes called «rammeslåtts»

[@LukeG_Eire]

As an Irish traditional player. We also use GDAD, I use it on the Irish bozouki. Check out Daoiri Farrell if you want to hear it in action

[@verbherbaceous]

this is super cool

[@henrikpetersson3463]

Yeah! TOOL goes Irish folk! ☺ You really need to explore the mandolin family deeper. I'm sure you would love the Irish bouzouki as well as the mandocello. But the modern Cittern is really cool as well. More or less like the octave mando but with an extra pair of strings.

[@areminderofwhatweare]

The octave mandolin is almost the same as an Irish bouzouki, although the bouzouki has a bit of a longer scale and GDAD is standard tuning. Easily one of my favorite instruments, I’ve kinda been playing it more than my guitar lately.

[@MegaClaymore123]

I really want a bouzouki

[@GizzyDillespee]

"The change-up of sounds was a nice break, but clearly they'd had more experience with the previous instrument." - from my new book, Interview With The Neighbors: stories from the other side of the fence, out soon!

[@shanejoyce5813]

... and here I was with my Irish bouzouki thinking it was the same thing as an Octave mandolin. I definitely sounds different. I have mine tuned GDAE so it's basically an upside-down guitar.

[@marcocammozzo7553]

They sound different in part from the tuning, GDAE vs GDAD, and from the soundhole also, irish bouzoukis usually have a round hole which gives a more mellow tone compared to f holes@@shanejoyce5813

[@HamletHK]

I was about to write a comment about Irish bouzouki after they talked about tuning the octave mandolin to gdad. Very nice to see this comment already here!

[@miniman6565]

Reminds me a lot of the stuff Darren Korb composes for Supergiant Games. Excellent stuff

[@InventorZahran]

'Good Riddance' from Hades was recorded on a Turkish Guitar, which has three pairs of strings. It does sound very similar to an octave mandolin!

[@Seren_Moth]

THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING

[@Suspense1376]

What makes this is the exploration of tunings here

[@josephjimorris]

So good. Sounds like Metallica, Soundgarden, and Tool made a mathy relaxation track for a day spa because Periphery was stressed out.

[@ThatGuyWithTheRedDakota]

I definitely got the same vibes.

[@Ariakiri_]

Been loving these videos you've put together with Pusher. He has a great vibe and energy that just meshes with yours really well, Andrew. Keep up the great songwriting!

[@itspusher]

I'm certainly having fun. Just gotta get the hi-five to work and my problems are gone

[@Toadpapa]

Love him just sticking cables in his glasses and stealing stuff from the shelf while Andrew talked about the mics 😂

[@JamesMunns]

This makes me want to listen to the Bastion soundtrack. This is such a good groove.

[@TeddySaxbang659]

I immediately thought of Bastion & Darren Korb! For years I’ve enjoyed the sound, but didn’t know the specific instrument.

[@MCLegoboy]

So when those drums kicked in the second time, it was like the ending to the second episode of Andor. All of the sudden things just start going hard, and so this song now feels like it's the end of an episode or a movie where things are slowly getting revealed, and then smashcut to someone behind it all or the key to everything, then credits.

[@DavethePie]

Hi Andrew, if you're going with the GDAD tuning, you might consider checking out the Bouzouki. It is a similar instrument, double stringed much like the mandolin, but the GDAD tuning is it's default tuning. It has a very robust sound, similar to the mandolin, but unique and delightful.

[@zawmgwtf]

Pusher pulling the cables out of his glasses during the adread was great xD

[@bricelory9534]

Absolutely loved the track! The modal scale gave it a delicious folkness that translated well with the percussive soundscape and quality of bass/drums. Really felt like I was caravanning somewhere, probably in the videogame Pyre. Absolutely loved it!

[@ASPhylactery]

That was the exact thought I had aswell! Darren Korb's bass tone also sounds similair.

[@thodpap1]

Tool in a barn! Cool song😃I've also wanted to try the oct mandolin for a long time 🤩

[@Nathan_Lundstrom]

This is 100% what came to my mind 😂

[@thodpap1]

@@Nathan_Lundstrom haha yeh man 😇

[@hthazee]

god this ended up so cooooool! I WANNA JAM IN THAT STUDIOOOOO

[@NewHandleWhoDeez]

GDAD, "Gee, Dad, tell me more" Incredible

[@liambrewster3579]

While I can't get behind the mandolin hate... I absolutely love my octave mandolin. I have the same model as the one here. It is such a versatile and beautiful instrument to play with. It has become my go to axe for most situations and its great. Glad to see some love from Andrew for it :)

[@Jongamebeer]

This was like stoner metal without the crunch and I am 100% for it!

[@ZElTGElST]

Andrew is on perma fire. I was expecting Chris Cornell to appear and sing over the delicious progressive jam in any moment. In memoriam

[@TuckerTheMandolinist]

Thank you! I have been requesting this for a few weeks now! I love it and am super happy! The world needs more Rock-tave mandolin

[@uniqueYouTubeCreatorHandle]

Thanks for introducing me to the Octave mandolin; I had never heard of it. However, I have heard a Mandocello, and it is in my opinion, heavenly. I would suggest checking one out. as the name suggests it is tuned the same as a cello, but with four courses of two strings.

[@hellacious_]

I freaking LOVED this. Such a cool sound. Please, we need more prog rock from you Andrew!

[@somepunkinthecomments471]

I need dark octave mandolin/mandocello ambient music. That solo was sick.

[@ShaneT5S]

I know they're the sponsor of the video, but gosh I love Austrian Audio, I JUST got their OC18 mic a month and a bit ago, and I fell in love instantly

[@davidledoux1736]

Super nice track! Really enjoyed watching the layering process.

[@607]

Great track! If it had been released as a single, I probably would've bought it.

[@Gotblade]

I keep wanting Rick Beato to check out what you do but I haven't gotten a reaction from him yet on it. He appreciates music so much and the two of you collaborating together would be awesome!

[@DirtyKouhai]

i dunno about anyone else, but i was definitely getting Mastodon vibes off of this, with the breadth of stuff you put on this and also the vibe that y'all made for this. Good stuff, and cant wait for this years "1st October" release.

[@BananaMcGee1]

The final track gives off heavy Darren Korb vibes, and I NEED MORE PLEASE IT'S SO GOOD!

[@floppydisk921]

When you played the mandolin and octave mandolin together it instantly reminded me of Sam Shepherd's "Promises" motif. Just that very suspended sound together with the stringy sound of the mandolins that remind me of the harpsichord

[@mrdaviddlg331]

The Octave Mandolin and a Bunch of Other Stuff is a fantastically far out jam. Thank you for that wonderful piece of soul stirring music.

[@xSijnx]

So happy to see how far your music has evolved over the years. Cheers

[@MarkLiebrand]

Has a Tool vibe to it. Andrew you sir are a musical genius and so inspiring

[@WilliamVoisen]

That octave mandolin has a great tone, and it looks cool too. I enjoyed the tune y'all came up with.

[@steamingmushrooms]

I love this track and the mandolin discovery but I must also express appreciation for Pusher's rad dance moves

[@weirdo337]

This is an absurd coincidence. I literally bought one of these five days ago and now you release this video. I also agree that the octave mandolin is amazing and better than a regular mandolin

[@eqz666]

For me, this is the best song from you to the date! Awesome stuff

[@gkmtz]

Reminds me a lot of songs like Brandish and Overturned. You always bring so much emotion out of acoustic instruments.

[@jansestak954]

Seeing the creative process from the top to bottom is really cool. Makes me think about music differently.

[@JoshuaBennettMusic]

My background is more as a rock/acoustic singer-songwriter, but I've recently joined a group focused more on Irish and other traditional folk tunes, so I've been learning to play octave mandolin/Irish bouzouki. The particular instrument I play (which I'm borrowing from another band member, who has also been giving me lessons) is, as far as I can tell, completely unique. Imagine an octave mandolin approximately the size and shape of a parlor guitar, but with a steep double-cutaway, resulting in the upper bout being somewhat narrow and 'horned' rather than rounded. It's tuned G-D-A-D, *but* the two lowest courses are tuned in octaves like a 12-string guitar, in this case, higher pitch on top. The actual tuning, therefore, is G3-G2-D4-D3-A3-A3-D4-D4. Since a lot of traditional folk music is in D, G, or related modes (e.g., Bm, Em, A Dorian, E Dorian, etc.) -- and Irish music in particular often makes use of one or more drone strings -- this 'mandotar' lends itself very well to the chordal accompaniment. There are entire tunes that I play fretting only the lower two string courses, letting the A and D ring throughout. (Heck, I even use the 'open' Gsus2 in place of a G-major sometimes. Sounds very Irish! 🙂) Incidentally, the instrument has no name, emblem, or other markings that I can find. Its owner bought it second-hand, and he tells me that he only knows it was built by a luthier somewhere in Washington state, but doesn't know their name, location, or the date of manufacture. In any case, with its larger body, longer scale, and, peering into the soundhole, what appear to be fiberglass rods reinforcing the body to deal with the tremendous string tension, it sounds absolutely INCREDIBLE. ❤ It's one of those instruments you pick up and strum with no intention of playing anything in particular, just to hear the beautiful sound it makes. Anyway, glad to see you discovering -- and making really interesting music with -- this underappreciated instrument!

[@pavelmazalek2838]

I build myself electric Mandocello from guitar parts. I tuned it to 7th dominant chord. I'm currently experimenting with it a it's such inspiring instrument

[@Dirk_Mcgurk]

man, you make the process of making an awesome song look so easy. I love this

[@EzyoMusic]

I first heard Sierra Hull play the octave mandolin and kinda wanted one ever since, wish they weren't so rare.

[@RabbitWithFeathers]

I've actually been really wanting to get a mandocello, which is another lesser known mandolin type instrument, but it's in the exact same tuning as a cello and I would love to play one someday. Really cool final track!

[@MandolinSecrets]

Thanks Andrew, cool video! I also love playing the octave mandolin.

[@briancrooks]

For anyone interested... the Vibra Slap is based on an instrument called the Quijada. It's a donkey jawbone, close Andrew!! I know it as a traditional Peruvian instrument, but they are found all over Latin America. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawbone_%28instrument%29

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Awesome. I have a bouzouki, tuned to DGDG. I may try this tuning. Tuning the mando down a third sounded awesome. Now I want to try it!

[@kale4987]

Man just wrote a Bardcore Tool song like we wouldn't notice

[@gameassist1660]

Haven't had the chance to watch this yet, but I'm excited. Octave Mandolins are so cool!

[@ryanspruiell4402]

Damn this is sick Andrew pleasantly surprised. Much different than your usual stuff. I like the vibe

[@mk_rexx]

I once (twice?) fall into videos about converting shorter guitars into octave mandolins. I just love the mandolin family even though I never played a real one. Also excited about the new FOO album :D

[@jers132]

Brilliantly done...sweet bass-line!

[@arianswets8513]

I've been waiting for a video about this instrument!

[@bob-rogers]

Pretty cool. I've been learning to play Irish and Scottish folk on mandolin for a couple years. Been wanting an octave mandolin. Now I want it even more ;-)

[@YankInches]

I absolutely am in love with how this sounds

[@Forgeahead]

I actually bought one of these about a year ago as well. I got it for one song, but then in learning about it fell in love with the instrument

[@trivngl3]

This was actually so cool. Never thought id enjoy this so much.

[@RachelHardy]

I find these videos really inspiring because I have so much trouble forcing myself to like things, but I gotta do more of this... just jamming and recording and digging it haha. Also just got an octave mando and loving it!

[@up4open]

Have you considered a sugar fast? Dunno, KZbin keeps suggesting it to me today. Might help? Probably can't hurt.

[@Daug7add9addb13]

Youre my depression comfort youtuber. Love you

[@andrewhuang]

♥️♥️

[@beenis08]

That song made me think of the concept of "weird west", like wild west but very strange and off kilter. I love it!!!!

[@murdockscott]

Really nice. Right up my alley sonically.

[@cashwarior]

absolutely mesmerized by this whole video

[@ryukisai99]

Great tune! And great recording-mixing!

[@Hadiplaysmusic]

Amazing Andrew!! Got some old Opeth and some Tool vibes. Sooo good!

[@dcshoes841]

I think they just made an acoustic Tool song by complete accident.

[@Asspirin101]

It's pretty much what Puscifer is, lol

[@yosephmcjoe9575]

Literally just spent the past week bingeing octave mandolin and Irish bouzouki videos - was looking at that Eastman. Definitely going to get an Irish bouzouki, but that Eastman is tempting me.

[@SheppyHand]

Oh dude, you've definitely been working on your drum chops, that was absolutely sick.

[@studioMYTH]

My favorite instrument to play. I got a 1930's framus tenor guitar turned into an 8 string w mandolin strings. I love it!

[@KASTAWORON]

This is mind blowing. The part at 9:15 is HAUNTINGLY beautiful. Those bends tho!

[@TheAbsolyte]

These kinds of vids have been a huge inspiration! Love sonic boom!

[@alfredbackhus6110]

I also learned to know this instrument this summer. For my taste it is the perfect compagnon for playing together with a acoustic guitar; less clownish then a banjo, not as chirpy as the mandolin... and even somewhat useful as accompagning instrument when singing- something that sounds very strange on a high mandolin.

[@magutanko]

Oh, they just wrote an early Mastodon song! I can totally hear Brent and Brann singing over this! Great Job guys!

[@MadCat-75]

Wow, the sound carpet is so dense but doesn't seem crowded. Great song!

[@conormcmullan341]

what a coincidence, I just got a Greek Bouzouki last week - extremely similar to Octave Mandolin but slightly longer scale neck and different tuning - CFAD. I'm waiting on different strings arriving so I can put it in the Irish tuning - GDAD. The main difference between the original Greek and newer Irish instruments themselves is that the Greek ones have a bowl back and the Irish ones have a flat body - closer to how an Octave Mandolin looks.

[@Asspirin101]

This reminds me Soen so much! Great stuff!

[@Flargenyargen]

Oh, I'd love to have one of those. Whoa. Awesome song, too!

[@racacac9456]

The final result sounds like something out of Borderlands, I love it!

[@glitchpublishing]

WoW great track. I love what you do 😊

[@jameselliott5622]

I'm sure someone else has said it but I play the Irish Bouzouki - literally the exact same thing (as far as I can discern) as the octave mandolin. If you're looking to buy one this might throw you off, as it did when I was looking for music to play while unaware they're effectively the same instrument!

[@theothertonydutch]

Over half a century ago, my dad was in a band and he played a mandobass in that band. I wish he still had that thing. I desperately want one.

[@botanyblack9826]

I absolutely Adore my Mandobass.. so low and smooth!

[@thanatomorfo]

DUDE THIS IS MINDBLOWING

[@Sean-Ax]

I knew I needed one of these when I first saw it in that Sonic Boom episode, but this combo of big mando and little mando is awesome.

[@conguymonty3800]

I love the octave Mandolin. Lady Moon Cries plays this shit and its golden.

[@piquantement]

When you added bass, it suddenly turned into the Hades soundtrack. Wild how fast that switched in my brain.

[@paulhardy77]

Thank you I really enjoyed tgat. Something about sad sounding songs that make me happy thank you for sharing your energy and process

[@underwaterdojo]

This is gonna be my favorite track for the week. Instant classic. F.A.

[@AmosTheTalented]

Sweet collaboration!

[@piersgorick2346]

Really recommend Folk-jazz fusion outfit Den Fule for anyone who enjoyed this song, really reminiscent of their style. Really surprised how well it came out considering the parts sounded so disparate as it was being put together. Amazing job!

[@thescoobymike]

Probably my favorite thing you’ve made

[@cmdrerniepaul]

I built a cigar box guitar last year, tuned to EBE. I realized that was basically the same tuning as a mountain dulcimer, only inverted. That in turn, lead me to put my mandolin in GDAD. My tenor banjo now has the same tuning. I love the droning sound it makes with the open strings.

[@ToothBruv]

This feels super reminiscent of Akira Yamaoka's soundtrack for the Silent Hill game series, especially Silent Hill 1 and 4. There's something quite unnerving about the chords relation between the two mandolins. I absolutely love it. I want one now.