Mandolin vs. Mandola vs. Octave Mandolin

Website: www.MandoLessons.com
Join The MandoLessons Academy: academy.mandolessons.com/mand...
My Comprehensive Mandolin Course: academy.mandolessons.com/the-...
Buy Me A Coffee: www.mandolessons.com/donate
My Favorite Gear: imp.i114863.net/mandolessons
Newsletter: academy.mandolessons.com/newsl...
Play Along Tracks: MandoLessons.Bandcamp.com
My Albums: www.mandolessons.com/store
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DISCLOSURE
MandoLessons is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Sweetwater Affiliate Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
If you purchase something from my affiliate links, I will get a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my videos!
I do not collect, store, use, or share any data about you.

[@MandoLessons]

The tune I play is Shove that pig's foot a little further in the fire, which I have a lesson for. Thanks to those who asked!

[@goatphilososphy]

:)

[@westminsterabbey.6916]

Now that's a title

[@chandraiyer1710]

What a barbaric song title

[@robertportwood2036]

@@goatphilososphy ⁰⁰000⁰0

[@Fuzzybeanerizer]

Were any pigs harmed in the filming of this?

[@JD488025]

that merge from one to the other was so useful to compare them. And you hit exactly the same tempo on each playing. Pretty good!

[@bleikrsound6127]

Great sounding audio - as a studio engineer / mastering tech., I can attest that most musicians posting on YT have distressingly bad sound. Your attention to this detail makes for a pleasant viewing / listening experience. Bleikr Sound has a Trinity College octave mandolin in studio and we love it.

[@MandoLessons]

Thanks! I am always trying to improve!

[@bgoumas]

Your accent is reassuring me that you know your mandolins

[@carlinparkin176]

Haha, he's got a good name for it too. Baron Collins Hill sounds like a guy who knows mandolins

[@stansmith4054]

I thought the mandolin actually came from Italy, shouldn't he have an Italian accent then?

[@nickbarrow2805]

@@stansmith4054 it is often used in Bluegrass music, a Southern US genre. Popular in West Virginia.

[@venomlink2033]

@@nickbarrow2805 And Kentucky/Tennessee

[@braillynn4903]

😂

[@evakozma2099]

Brief, to the point presentation, cleverly illustrated through the short tune and alternating instruments towards the end. Thank you.

[@flitterbat]

What a great way to show the difference between the three! Using them all within the same tune like that makes it so much easier to compare the sound. Thank you!

[@justinhunt6929]

Very nice video, Baron. And I love the editing during the demo section. Really did a great job showing the diversity of sound of each instrument.

[@deeman524]

The octave mandolin, I love it's sound and look

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

DANGIT I want them all now

[@jillianruhl7765]

I love this! It’s like when I was in grade 7 deciding if I wanted alto, tenor, or baritone sax! These are all such beautiful instruments!

[@syalutsa]

Very clear and useful. I play all three and it is good to hear the basic differences explained and demonstrated. Thanks!

[@johnduffy6546]

Such Happy tunes! LOVE it!

[@thecupcakefoxblog]

Thanks for this info! Very helpful for me, as I’m trying to learn about the mandolin and it’s variants for the first time.

[@kpf8186]

WoW! I was considering learning how to play an octave mandolin and fell into this treasure trove of a youtube page! Thank you for all the goodies.

[@terrancat]

I love my bass guitar but something about hearing and playing the mandolin puts a big ol smile on my face.

[@ashleyalexandermorris9645]

I appreciated how brief and concise this video was! I became interested in mandolin after I learned I could play violin tunes on it (I’m having trouble playing my violin because I have shoulder issues now) but I was curious to know the differences. Thanks!

[@kevintmusic]

Great comparison! I've been meaning to add these sounds to some of my new songs. Thanks

[@mikedkc]

Very cool demo. Thanks for the tutorial. I appreciate your instructional work.

[@winstonschwarz1636]

Bought a used mandolin yesterday and here I am! Many thanks sir.

[@noahr4951]

I have subscribed for years. Thanks for what you do. I really like the new camera.

[@tomjpt]

Absolutely great video! So well thought out and presented. I LEARNED, thank you.

[@alana1119]

Ahh love the mandolin! I want something more resonant but at the same time I just really feel the mandolin. Great video, thank you!

[@traviswyatt1113]

Great video! Love the comparison of the 3 instruments.

[@JD488025]

fantastic the way you fit them together. Really useful!

[@Fearonus]

This was very informative. I was planning on buying an Octave Mandolin and now I'm set. Thank you so much.

[@TS-bv2eb]

I'm in the process of building an octave mandolin, but using an enameled bedpan for a resonator instead of the wooden body. I might call it a "Poozouki". The four string guitars I've built like this dont sound crappy...

[@natvan5869]

I love your idea man so rad When I finish my current project I'll be stealing your idea if you don't mind?

[@TS-bv2eb]

@@natvan5869 , I got the idea for the bedpan guitar from a picture in a book in the first place, go for it

[@rongusta11]

Poo.. teehee

[@Loreman72]

Now you're talking sh*t!

[@danielredman9475]

shitar?

[@lizzieb1003]

That was very informative, thanks so much for the explanation and demonstration!

[@marklusty8603]

Really nice and concise comparison. Great side-by-sides. I have a mandolin and a mandocello. The octave looks like a stretch, but the 'cello is such a different beast altogether, it's a hard comparison.

[@salmiakki_]

Wish we could get a video of him playing the trombone in the back, as someone who plays both mandolin and trombone, it's cool to see one in a mandolin video.

[@stepno]

Have you discovered Wallach & Buttery "not your usual mandolin tuba duo"? kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_m7_HbFY8i950vhx8UWoC4y-BZsOCmCg-U

[@salmiakki_]

@@stepno I'll check it out, thanks!

[@tashwhimpey8114]

Great video. Thanks

[@maxsanderson3066]

Such a. Brilliantly put together video, thank you!!!

[@t.e.1189]

You answered my question about the Mandocello right at the very end. Glad I kept watching. I wondered if it was the same as the Octave Mandolin. Now I know it's not. Thanks!

[@mtbtherange]

Super informative and awesome presentation thanks for sharing

[@thestormlscoming]

Thank you! This was really helpful in helping me decide which to get. All are lovely. Hopefully one day I can get them all

[@DankWish]

Great video as always! I was getting the mandola confused with the octave mando. You rock

[@gregoryedwards8004]

Love this one I like to see a guy use all three plying three parts as in melody harmony and rhythm each its own part but all keeping time in the same song

[@dennisdevine9563]

Great presentation. Thank you

[@rockabillyz]

Excellent video! Thanks for that.

[@patrickbly4170]

Excellent Presentation and Style.

[@paulbalogh7064]

Very well done. I’d like an octave but I need to play my mando much much more. Thanks for this review!

[@plumhunter9158]

Nice - I was curious about the mandola - I like the sound a lot

[@patrickbly4170]

Great Presentation 👏 I took my Mandola and substituted the Second string in the last 2 C G strings and used lower numbered size ones tuned them a whole octave higher...kinda like a 12 string guitar ...the sounds are sweet and it opens up to much more improvising and classical values.

[@charlesbernard9198]

That was a very helpful demo, thanks!

[@exwhyz33]

A great great demo !! Thanks

[@rickyparr8001]

Way cool man,thank you for the video,i like the octave mandolin,you play very well.

[@BeeS-uj4hq]

A very helpful video, thank you!

[@bjornekbjornek]

Thanks for the lesson!

[@kerrykrishna]

Out of the 3 to my ear, the Collings mandola easily sounds loudest. Maybe just my ear? Man, it's great you thought to do this. GREAT editing!

[@allstringsconsidered8786]

Lovely vid and playing! You should do a video review for the Eastman octave mandolin! You always have really great insights on instruments, and there isn't a good review of it on youtube.

[@vikingbeard]

Very nice playing!

[@TheGamingMama_]

It's 2023 and me likey. 🖖🏾

[@tamegomait]

Beautiful tune

[@michaelreaper666]

Thanks ...great help as i was thinking of buying an octave mandolin .. :)

[@garyleek]

Excellent, very well done!

[@ised-5239]

And the mandocello is tuned one octave below the mandola and it is an octave variation of a standard mandola (cgda tuning) where the octave mandolin is the octave variation of a standard mandolin (gdae tuning).

[@ised-5239]

Thus mandocello can be also referred as octave mandola.

[@wantagehoward]

@@ised-5239 In the UK the term Octave Mandola is used for the Octave Mandolin. I’m in the UK but use the term Octave Mandolin as it makes more sense to me.

[@prs22gt10]

Very helpful video (nice editing!). I've played mandolin for years and lately been considering mandola or the octave mandolin. No stores close to where I live to try them and I hesitate to order online. Headed to your website now to check out lessons. Thanks!

[@JellyrollHorton]

I’ve owned a bowlback mando (Am/Con) for over 50 years and never played it. But the time has come (because time is running out), and it was nice to find your site. I’ll likely get a better instrument as I learn more about the mandolin; I like the Elderly package you recommended, but it is currently unavailable. Thanks for your work. Subscribed.

[@judsonriviere490]

Nice video! Ny friend is building a mandocello....it's quite the beast!

[@thereseclairecreates]

Thank you for this intro! My re-introduction to music was when I had the random idea of playing the ukulele my dad bought in Hawaii (I started with violin when I was in gradeschool but didnt pursue it). It helped me realize I could play and opened the musical doors for me but I don't like gCEA. It's not the sound I want except if I play classical music. I did a video test on my channel on mandolin tunings for uke and though I love it---it's really not the same having an actual mandolin/mandola. The test where you played all 3 of them together was immensely helpful! Really gives you insight as to where each of these variants come in. I'm attracted to mostly the mandolin and octave mando. The mandola, I'm kinda 'eh' on as it sounds similar to ukulele tuning. Gotta save up for the mandolin and octave mando!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Huh? The tuning for the mandola is a continuation of that for the mandolin (based on the circle of fifths), which is the same tunings as the violin and viola!

[@Digigrlny]

You just turned me on to this instrument going out to buy one today! subscribing.

[@bonenfant96]

Lovely tune.

[@rodidlewild2330]

Well done! thanks

[@mendyviola]

I recently bought a super cheap mandolin (to take camping and see if it’s something I want to continue or not). But as a 40+ year classical violist, I find myself playing on the wrong string frequently. If I stick with this, my upgrade will be a mandola.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Makes sense, as the mandola has the same tuning as the viola! 😀

[@shanea60]

So Helpful! thank you

[@wewatch2477]

Love all three

[@Sagan_Starborn]

I think having all three playing at once would provide one heck of a rich sound.

[@elspethlogan4275]

Very informative thankyou.

[@dfcprops3849]

Great video! Simple explanation and introduction to all three instruments. I've been playing the mandolin for 2 years now and I've really been interested in the octave mandolin, but they're very difficult to find in stores (to try one out to see how it feels/sounds) on the East Coast (specifically the north part of the East Coast where I live). If I'm not mistaken, you have an Eastman octave mandolin in the video, correct? I've been eyeing that one for a while and I think I might just buy it.

[@MelodyMaker]

Nice demo!

[@bobalicious6499]

Thank you, this was very helpful pal

[@Nickstathakis]

The Mandolin is used very much in Cretan traditional music search it

[@ozodari6160]

Wow you have 3 lutes, what an impressive collection 👏 👌

[@davidozab2753]

I want them all!

[@codycreepcore]

Hey Baron, what are your opinions on the Eastman Octave Mandolin? I have a Gold Tone om800+ at the moment but it's not really doing it for me.

[@peterspokes4579]

Great video. Been looking for another instrument to learn. This (Octave mandolin) covers my acoustic guitar, and violin playing (GDAE strings).

[@lisawilliams7836]

Thank you very much 😊

[@ShayanGivehchian]

Man Ellis should give you a sponsorship. I don't think anyone's instrument is heard as much as yours

[@Coopdog1911]

WOW thanks for this video! Now I have an excuse to buy more stringed instruments! :) I love the octave one and the lower one both.

[@crewsforchrist762]

thanks, I might take an Octave Mandolin lesson one of these days

[@MiladJP]

Mando lessons: This is the way!

[@marathoner111]

Nice shout out to the Mandocello and Mandobass. :-)

[@josiahtimothy3655]

good video dude i subscribed thanks bro

[@gregrobinson1304]

Thanks much!

[@c_farther5208]

Is it easier to make a chord on regular mando or octave? That octave is beautiful. Thanks for showing us those choices.

[@einrad4ever]

nice to listen to you.

[@letuspraisejesus1080]

Very nice

[@ised-5239]

And the mandola can also referred as contralto mandola and tenor mandola can be referred to both regular mandola and a mandocello.

[@Oilartnelson]

Just found the channel. Do you play any Bluegrass like some David Grisman in Old and In the Way? I play professional 5 string banjo from Bela Fleck to Earl Scruggs as well as older melodies, but Jerry Garcia just happens to be a favorite due to a particular picking method regardless of tempo. For the loss of his middle finger, using his ring finger instead for the first D string on the banjo, Vassar Clemens the fiddler, talked of how Jerry scared the band and barely made it to repeat patterns and bridges, yet somehow always got there on time in an interestingly well space-timed picking trip, a trip that is noticed by many banjo players. As a former instrument collector and a multi-instrumental music player, (pro-fluent in just banjo however) I sold several pieces wanting to hone in on what I do best and wanting to get back to a regular mandolin. I'd sure enjoy hearing some of David's work on Old and In the Way if you know any. I'll check out what you have since I just found your site.

[@wolfcrow4822]

I have a flatback bouzouki that I bought over 30 years ago and learnt with GDAE tuning. The Celtic GDAD tuning seems to have come in later. GDAE sounds great on a Bouzouki but the fretboard is a bit of a stretch (I only really play chords - haven't a lot of time to learn to read music and I find tablature confusing). I recently built a small 3 course mandolin variant based on an 11.5 inch neck. It sounds great but is very quiet. I'm working a lot with 3 course and DAE tuning because the chord shapes are less demanding, which makes playing easier for learners. My next mandolin family build will be a three course octave mandolin.

[@tedwallacemusic]

Smart!

[@irishtourseu1900]

Thanks for the education on that Baron. What make of mandolin are you using there - it sounds nice. It can be hard to find one that appeals to your ear. And shops in Ireland only have about 2 or three in a music shop. So you're left with buying one online without having held it and got the feel of it (even if it sounds good on youtube). Maybe a video on how to buy a good quality mandolin would be helpful. Thanks

[@nutsocket]

great video

[@herbertaikin9385]

I strung a mandola like a bouzouki with 3 octaved courses, and tuned it like an octave mandolin. I call it a jambo.

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you

[@TheUsuariocomum]

That's great Where can i buy a mandola like this yours?

[@nautn]

Very good demo, thanks. Oh, what if you ran all three clips at the same time as a split screen deal? That would be interesting to hear all three . And just to complicated things, add the tenor guitar to the mix.

[@joyapenny]

The Mandocello sounds deeper as the Octave mandoline, right? What mandola model are you playing? Sounds beautiful!

[@JasonWelchMusic]

I love the tone of your Mandola. Can it be tuned like a Mandolin without damaging the instrument? Would it require a different setup?

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

Been thinking of getting a tenor guitar in the C tuning of the mandola/viola and, other than obvious tone differences, do you think they overlap much? Noticed the octave mandolin seem closer in fret spacing and tenor guitars can be tuned down to its G tuning, so would those two have more of a crossover in techniques?

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

Surprisingly...your MANDOLA sounded the best!