Mandolin vs. Mandola vs. Octave Mandolin

[@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?

[@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

[@braillynn]

😂

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@tommasobaresi736]

It was a pleasure to recognize "oklahoma ponies" by Mark Knopfler. Such a cheerful song!

[@Nickstathakis]

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

[@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?

[@deeman524]

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

[@terrancat]

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

[@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.

[@jeffvandagrif]

Yes I'm immediately buying an octive mandolin!!!! Thanks

[@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!

[@winstonschwarz1636]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

DANGIT I want them all now

[@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!

[@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! 😀

[@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!

[@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.

[@Lysanthe]

Thank you, that was exactly what I was searching for. Especially the playing samples.

[@Sagan_Starborn]

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

[@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!

[@Fearonus]

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

[@danherrick5785]

Did you buy the octave mandolin - and if so do you like it?

[@Fearonus]

@@danherrick5785 Unfortunately my government introduced a heavy tax on imported goods, including musical instruments. I was unable to buy one, but am going to when I achieve my travel plans to Europe. For the purpose of your question: I still love the instrument and I am sure I would be loving it if I were to be able to play it.

[@syalutsa]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@tomjpt]

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

[@johnduffy6546]

Such Happy tunes! LOVE it!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

2:29 So basically, the octave mandolin is a lot closer to a guitar, right?!

[@ised-5239]

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

[@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

[@patrickbly4170]

Excellent Presentation and Style.

[@jonaslind8123]

Very nice and informative video. Thanks! 👍

[@Eldude2112]

Absolutely love the octave mando...can't find one as a beginner.

[@Tom-bm7mm]

Me too. I had a look on the Internet. I can't find one for less than 700 dollars.

[@ShayanGivehchian]

Contact Kieran Moloney from MoloneyMusic in Ireland. They carry APC octave mandolins which are descent instruments for the price. Very helpful fellow too

[@TheAnonymousPunter]

Check for ashbury octave mandolins on Amazon. That’s where I got mine and it’s the job.

[@Loreman72]

@@TheAnonymousPunter I've had a go on one on Hobgoblin Music, it's the bomb! Not too good for low-key harmony, but very pretty for melody!

[@TheAnonymousPunter]

@@Loreman72 Yea It's nice, and really good value for the money.

[@noahr4951]

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

[@Digigrlny]

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

[@paulbalogh7064]

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

[@maxsanderson3066]

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

[@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.

[@mikedkc]

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

[@JD488025]

fantastic the way you fit them together. Really useful!

[@charlesbernard9198]

That was a very helpful demo, thanks!

[@BlackReignDrop]

It's 2023 and me likey. 🖖🏾

[@traviswyatt1113]

Great video! Love the comparison of the 3 instruments.

[@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.

[@ShayanGivehchian]

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

[@tashwhimpey8114]

Great video. Thanks

[@peterspokes4579]

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

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

Surprisingly...your MANDOLA sounded the best!

[@vikingbeard]

Very nice playing!

[@kevintmusic]

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

[@plumhunter9158]

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

[@BBeowulf]

Hey I know this is an old video but if you don’t see this and can’t answer then hopefully someone else can. I am choosing between a Mandolin and a Mandola and it’s strictly to play solo. I’m just wondering which would sound better for folk music (Irish style too), bluegrass, and compliments a deeper singing voice better? I’m a pretty good singer at lower-mid vocal ranges but just can’t do high notes with my voice and I feel like some instruments compliment this better than others. Any help would be great thanks.

[@garyleek]

Excellent, very well done!

[@barbarapowell8719]

I play the octave, mandola, and mandocello. I have wondered about picks for them? Do you use the same one or different ones for different instruments?

[@judsonriviere490]

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

[@MiladJP]

Mando lessons: This is the way!

[@aberhan]

Interesting. I sold my mandolin’s, as much as I like the sound I felt the neck was too narrow and felt too crowded especially in the upper register. And I don’t even have large hands or fingers. What are the neck widths on the mandolins and octave mandolins?

[@marathoner111]

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

[@rockabillyz]

Excellent video! Thanks for that.

[@reidbuckley7]

Are there any affordable Mandola’s? I have dexterity issues and the mandolin is just to small to play

[@Tim_p.]

Eastman makes one at about the $800 mark

[@gavinw5469]

Try a wide nut mandolin.

[@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.

[@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!

[@cindypike8290]

Wish you would have played the lower middle part of the tune on the octave mandolin so we could have heard that low string. But thanks for the video!

[@eclecticmn4838]

Second question. what is the short necked mandolin family thing at 0:20? kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5OWg5aCe6Z-iLM

[@einrad4ever]

nice to listen to you.

[@rickyparr8001]

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

[@longtalljay]

Some other differences: One can find really great quality (in tone and playability) in mandolins under $500 (right now I am loving my two 200 series Kentuckys), while the traditional-bodied mandola and octave really come into their own as valid sounding instruments over the $2000 mark. (Pono might be challenging that with their $1119 to $1569 tenor guitar bodied octaves, but I have yet to try one in person.)

[@josephpetrino1741]

Hora makes a very good sounding mandola that is very inexpensive. I'm very happy with mine. They also make an octave mandolin but I have no experience with those.

[@herbertaikin9385]

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

[@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!

[@exwhyz33]

A great great demo !! Thanks

[@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

[@theresa2245]

Question: please advise - where can I buy a brand-new Italian bowl back mandolin. Thank you.

[@BeeS-uj4hq]

A very helpful video, thank you!

[@mtbtherange]

Super informative and awesome presentation thanks for sharing

[@lizzieb1003]

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

[@ised-5239]

Octave mandolin is also referred as tenor mandolin which is equivalent to tenor violin in violin family and also Irish tenor banjo which is also the tenor variation of banjo family music and the tuning is also the same as octave mandolin which is gdae and regular mandolins should be contralto mandolins.

[@DankWish]

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

[@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?

[@bjornekbjornek]

Thanks for the lesson!

[@lumberpilot]

If you capo the octave mandolin up an octave, wouldn't that give it the characteristics of a mandolin?

[@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

[@jasonmackaway77]

Can you do a video with a mandocello and a mandobass?

[@wewatch2477]

Love all three

[@ised-5239]

The tuning of mandola is also like standard jazz tenor banjo (cgda).

[@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.

[@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!

[@Gongasoso]

How hard are these to fret comparatively to the guitar? I once tried a mandolin at a music shop and it was quite hard to get clean notes out of the thing. I don't think it was a setup issue, maybe string gauge?

[@ezm69]

Octave Mandolin as well as Bouzouiki are both very guitar like in feel. Only slightly more compact than a guitar fingerboard. Where Mandolin is always a fight for me (the tiny frets are just another world for us guitarists), bouzouki (basically the same as an octave just different tuning and octaves on the lower pairs) I was comfortable with almost instantly.

[@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.

[@Iceland874]

Is octave ukulele the same GDAE? I want a mandolin for playing lute and classical guitar music. I am a woodwind and piano and organ player. Eastman mandolins are wonderful!

[@LazyCat010]

I want them all!

[@aNaturalist]

This was a really good comparison vid. I thought I was more interested in the octave mandolin before this, but the mandola seems....just.....right.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Yeah, to me, the octave mandolin is too close to a guitar... Interested in learning more about the mandocello and mandobass, though! With the prestige of the cello - the mandocello has got to become a hit, right?! 😉

[@scronx]

Can you string the octave mandolin with octave pairs like a 12-strung guitar -- an octave mandolin string and a regular mandolin string in each pair? The neck's too long for regular mando strings I'm sure.

[@hoangbaovantue]

What's the model name of each type? It's beautiful sound and design.

[@DanOstrowski]

I have a (very beautiful) Weber Gallatin octave that is really great for accompaniment and just playing on it's own. Mine is a 22" fret board and I've found that I wish I'd gotten the 20" because using them in the store, occasionally, they are MUCH easier to play than the 22" I have. That said, I do love to have it. I've also found that mandola just doesn't seem to have the depth to really be a great accompaniment instrument IMO so my original idea of trading in my mandolin and octave for a mandola has never really panned out.