MANDOLINS

Mandolin has four pairs of strings, with tuning the same as the violin. In 1905 Gibson designed the A-4 mandolin, which evolved to become the standard design. Back in those days, mandolin was not as popular as other musical instruments. It was brought by Bill Monroe into Bluegrass music in the 1940s. Today mandolin is a popular and essential instrument in country and "unplugged" music.

Mandolins are also used in various types of music. "Boat on the river" is a piece of  interesting folk rock song which used the mandolin for the instrumental solo. One famous Mandolin player is David Grisman. David Grisman recorded the "Tone Poems" (with 3 different volumes), which featured the Mandolin with other musical instruments, such as guitar and dobro, is highly recommended.