Bouzouki is a greek instrument originally with 3 double strings and there is 4 types of the same family instrument..the smallest called baglamadaki..then a little bigger is baglamas..then comes tzouras slightly smaller from bouzouki..and then the bigger is bouzouki..manolis hiotis added one more double string and bouzouki became like half guitar...the 3 strings are DAD and the 4 CFAD...
Interestingly, the Greek Bouzouki was "invented" in the ~1920s by ethnic Greeks from Asia Minor (aka Turkey) who were looking to recreate the sounds of their former homeland. At the time, in Greece, the Italian-style bowl-back mandolin was popular -- so luthiers took mandolin parts, adapted them, and created the 3 course bouzouki, tuned usually DAD. Later (about 1950) the 4th course was added and the tuning was made to be like a guitar, usually CFAD (or DGBE). But the fascinating connection is that, at its heart, the original bouzouki is a mandolin. 🙂
I have the Hora Bouzouki, 66 centimeters scale lenght, it is tuned A D G C, like the banjo, as strings i've put the octave mandolin D'Addario, 12/ 22/32 /46 . The 46 is doubled with a 26 .Great sound! This is a tip that i like to give to all banjo players to enjoy the bouzouki without changing tuning. Regards, Patrick from Italy
@@lacombeinstruments1562 Lacombe, i have to ask one thing,because i am not an expert as far as goes for instruments craftsmen works, when i see a number after the note( for example " G2" ) that means the octave that must be reached to obtain the correct tuning? Thank you so much, i hope that my english is understandable! Greetings from Italy, Patrick
@@patrickbuzzo1970 Ciao, Patrick, your English is more than understandable, but don't worry, it is not my mother tongue either :) So I know the struggle! About tuning, yes, G2 is the equivalent of 97,99hz if your tuner shows both the letter, number and frequency. G3 would be an octave higher at 195,99hz. Greetings!
@@lacombeinstruments1562 Lacombe,go on my channel,i've introduced my tenor guitar, not a very common instrument, but nice to play . Hope you like it! Best regards to you, Patrick from Italy
It's actually pretty simple. The mandolin is tuned G D A E. The octave mandolin is tuned an octave lower. The mandola is tuned C G D A. The mandocello is tuned an octave lower. EDIT: The Irish bouzouki is essentially a mandocello with a different body shape. A Greek bouzouki is tuned D-G-B-E with octave strings on the D and G and unison strings on the B and E. Think of it as 2/3 of a standard 12 string. Traditionally the Greek bouzouki has a bowl back, but as with the rest of the mandolin family modern players have gone to arched and flat backs.
So 'Irish bouzouki' is essentially just a fancy name for an octave mandolin/mandola/mandocello, whereas the greek bouzouki has a different look and construction, and has a unique, defining feature - the 2 D strings and two G strings are tuned an octave apart.
@@cpcnwYou'll be better with whichever kind you're able to get your hands on. If you're in Ireland an Irish bouzouki might be more readily accessible whereas in the US for example you're more likely to find an octave mandolin than a bouzouki. Just depends all on where one is
Interesting. Great explanations. I have a very nice Irish Bouzouki and it does, as you say, ring a little more than I hear in the octave mandolins I have been listening to. Is this because of the longer neck? Is the body generally a little more shallow? The octave mandolin that Sergio is holding, and many others I see, have a deeper, perhaps larger body. And the tone is deeper. Since you are a builder, perhaps you could explain the difference in tone (apart from the tuning.). I would love to understand. Thank you.
An 'irish bouzouki' is just a fancy name for a mandola or octave mandolin or mandocello. (I don't consider tunings the sole factor of making an instrument different. A guitar tuned in an open D tuning is still a guitar, for instance...)
Please mam give us octave mandolin tutorial ....we will larn octave mandolin but no better option to larning ....I'm from India...my English are bad ...plz consider me...
Can I order a double-string course Irish bouzouki octave mandolin (whichever has the longer scale lengths) set up in fourths, like EEAADDGG or DDGGCCFF?
And then we tune mandolin in G R A R and everything doesn't have any sense again. I think it's more about from what perspective of what culture you are considering this instrument. Names are tools, I think.
So informative, thank you! I’ve been playing the Mandola for a few years now but am looking to upgrade and am struggling to find a good Mandola less than 3K! I might just invest in an octave mandolin and learn that
Thank you! I indeed build hand made mandolas, (and octave mandolins, mandolins and bouzoukis as well :) and they are well under 3k (being dollars, euros or pounds!)
Wonderful explanation. Straight to the point. Finally, someone who sheds light on the confusing gobbledegook with just a few easy to understand basics. You just made my day
Thank you for you message. I now have a video up for each of my instruments. For example: the octave mandolin tuned tuned GDAD th-cam.com/video/upbatTxP-N4/w-d-xo.html
What is the scale lenght? Basically a mandola is tuned C3 G3 D4 A4 and has a scale around 40-48cm. It corresponds to the viola tuning and scale lenght.
Por pensar cosas raras… ¿Y un capo en el traste 12 de un bouzouki? ¿Sería una mandolina con difícil acceso a los trastes más altos? Y si hubiera un bouzouki con mejor acceso a los trastes más altos yo sería el primero en ir a por él. Bonitos instrumentos los tuyos. Qué pena que dios me hiciera pobre y músico. Ganas me dan de tener todos los que habéis sacado en el vídeo. ¡Un abrazo!
Muchas gracias por tus buenos comentarios! Lo que encuentro con un bouzouki con capo en el traste 12, es que tiene el registro de la mandolina pero la caja no está pensada para eso y pierdes un poco la gracia. Pero no tienes que tener 2 instrumentos, es cierto!
That is very helpful in bringing a bit of light into the 8-string jungle. What is the scale length of the mandola you show in this video? The 560mm scale of th short scale bouzouki is very close to the scale length of the mandola, correct?
Thank you! My mandola, tuned in C3/G3/D4/A4 is a 43cm scale. They can range up to around 48ish cm. The Octave mandoline, tuned an octave below the mandoline G2/D3/A3/E4, has a scale that usually goes between 48cm and 56cm. The Irish bouzouki usually starts around 56cm and tunes as GDAD. I hope it helps!
Nice instruments and a clear video. In UK and Ireland most call the CGDA Mandola a “Tenor” which I find really frustrating as a Viola is an Alto instrument and the “OctaveMandolin” (actually a Mandola) is the Tenor range - so keep calling it an “Alto”!
Chris Webb, if you are looking for a deeper sound, using the tuning A D G C, i have a tip for you: the irish bouzouki, and, for the strings, a good choice would be 12/ 22/ 32/ 46. For the " C" i have doubled the 46 with a 26 ,to obtain an octave higher, and an easyer playing. Greetings from Italy, Patrick
Ron Karson, i'm not sure 100% , but i think that the octave mandola should reach the scale lenght of 58,2 centimeters. In this case would be more correct to say " octave mandolin" . THE regular Mandola has usually a scale lenght of 48 centimeters.
As I tried to explain, the names come and go, and depending on where the makers and players are, names will differ. But if you follow the violin family: violin=mandolin +-33-35cm GDAE. Then follows the viola=mandola C3/G3/D4/A4. The octave mandoline is an octave below the mandolin: G2/D3/A4/E4. So technically an octave mandola would be an octave below the mandola C2/G2/D3/A3 and would actually be like the cello. And is sometimes called mandocello! You can call it as you like, but the most important thing is to play!
Best explanation of the differences, EVER! Thanks so much for clarifying. 🙏🏼
A lovely range of voices. Very nice looking and sounding Instruments!
Very helpful, thank you!
I have watched a hundred videos trying explaining the difference. This is the one that has nailed it. Thank You! Well done
Thank you so much! I'm glad it helped!
Waiting for an additional video with sound samples. That would be great!
It took some time, but I published the 1st of 10 or so videos to come.
Thans for your interest!
I thought Bouzouki was Greek. This video is excellent! Thank you. You answered my questions.
It is, in fact. But then it travelled to Ireland and became what it is today.
Just retuned for the Irish music. That’s all
Bouzouki is a greek instrument originally with 3 double strings and there is 4 types of the same family instrument..the smallest called baglamadaki..then a little bigger is baglamas..then comes tzouras slightly smaller from bouzouki..and then the bigger is bouzouki..manolis hiotis added one more double string and bouzouki became like half guitar...the 3 strings are DAD and the 4 CFAD...
Interestingly, the Greek Bouzouki was "invented" in the ~1920s by ethnic Greeks from Asia Minor (aka Turkey) who were looking to recreate the sounds of their former homeland. At the time, in Greece, the Italian-style bowl-back mandolin was popular -- so luthiers took mandolin parts, adapted them, and created the 3 course bouzouki, tuned usually DAD. Later (about 1950) the 4th course was added and the tuning was made to be like a guitar, usually CFAD (or DGBE). But the fascinating connection is that, at its heart, the original bouzouki is a mandolin. 🙂
@@doreengumas9240 I agree. Thank you for the information.
Nice video, thank you :)
Moi ben Carolina!
I have the Hora Bouzouki, 66 centimeters scale lenght, it is tuned A D G C, like the banjo, as strings i've put the octave mandolin D'Addario, 12/ 22/32 /46 . The 46 is doubled with a 26 .Great sound! This is a tip that i like to give to all banjo players to enjoy the bouzouki without changing tuning. Regards, Patrick from Italy
Interesting tuning! Thank you!
@@lacombeinstruments1562 Lacombe, i have to ask one thing,because i am not an expert as far as goes for instruments craftsmen works, when i see a number after the note( for example " G2" ) that means the octave that must be reached to obtain the correct tuning? Thank you so much, i hope that my english is understandable! Greetings from Italy, Patrick
@@patrickbuzzo1970 Ciao, Patrick, your English is more than understandable, but don't worry, it is not my mother tongue either :) So I know the struggle!
About tuning, yes, G2 is the equivalent of 97,99hz if your tuner shows both the letter, number and frequency. G3 would be an octave higher at 195,99hz.
Greetings!
@@lacombeinstruments1562 Precious information, thank you so much, all the best to you, Lacombe !
@@lacombeinstruments1562 Lacombe,go on my channel,i've introduced my tenor guitar, not a very common instrument, but nice to play . Hope you like it! Best regards to you, Patrick from Italy
Finally, someone who knows how to clearly teach and explain these wonderful instruments and their place in music! 🤗. Wishing you every success!!
Thank you very much for your kind comment. I am happy the video helped!
It's actually pretty simple. The mandolin is tuned G D A E. The octave mandolin is tuned an octave lower. The mandola is tuned C G D A. The mandocello is tuned an octave lower.
EDIT: The Irish bouzouki is essentially a mandocello with a different body shape. A Greek bouzouki is tuned D-G-B-E with octave strings on the D and G and unison strings on the B and E. Think of it as 2/3 of a standard 12 string. Traditionally the Greek bouzouki has a bowl back, but as with the rest of the mandolin family modern players have gone to arched and flat backs.
So 'Irish bouzouki' is essentially just a fancy name for an octave mandolin/mandola/mandocello, whereas the greek bouzouki has a different look and construction, and has a unique, defining feature - the 2 D strings and two G strings are tuned an octave apart.
Would you say that a beginner would be better with an Octave Mandolin as it is more adaptable?
Irish players tend to us GDAD tuning on these instruments. It suits Irish tunes whereby you can get a drone effect.
An Irish bouzouki has four sets of two strings whereas a Greek bouzouki has three sets of two strings.
@@cpcnwYou'll be better with whichever kind you're able to get your hands on. If you're in Ireland an Irish bouzouki might be more readily accessible whereas in the US for example you're more likely to find an octave mandolin than a bouzouki. Just depends all on where one is
This video is extremely informative! Thank you both for the great explanation. P.S. Sergio, love your hurdy gurdy content
Interesting. Great explanations. I have a very nice Irish Bouzouki and it does, as you say, ring a little more than I hear in the octave mandolins I have been listening to. Is this because of the longer neck? Is the body generally a little more shallow? The octave mandolin that Sergio is holding, and many others I see, have a deeper, perhaps larger body. And the tone is deeper. Since you are a builder, perhaps you could explain the difference in tone (apart from the tuning.). I would love to understand. Thank you.
An 'irish bouzouki' is just a fancy name for a mandola or octave mandolin or mandocello.
(I don't consider tunings the sole factor of making an instrument different. A guitar tuned in an open D tuning is still a guitar, for instance...)
So is the Mandocello a octave Mandola???😅
Thank you for the wonderful explanation! I am looking forward to owning one of your fine Irish Bouzouki's!
Great video! Thanks for the clear and concise explanation.
Please mam give us octave mandolin tutorial ....we will larn octave mandolin but no better option to larning ....I'm from India...my English are bad ...plz consider me...
Thank you! That was awesome explanation! :) It finally helped me understand what the heck is going on.
Can I order a double-string course Irish bouzouki octave mandolin (whichever has the longer scale lengths) set up in fourths, like EEAADDGG or DDGGCCFF?
What brands are those instruments in the video ?
I am Caroline, from Lacombe Instruments and I build these instruments. More information at www.lacombeinstruments.com
An interesting fact I learned recently is that the word mandolin means little mandola!
How about playing?
You are right! Now my channel features some videos of the instruments I build! Thanks for watching!
And then we tune mandolin in G R A R and everything doesn't have any sense again. I think it's more about from what perspective of what culture you are considering this instrument.
Names are tools, I think.
So informative, thank you! I’ve been playing the Mandola for a few years now but am looking to upgrade and am struggling to find a good Mandola less than 3K! I might just invest in an octave mandolin and learn that
You can contact Caroline for a well made mandola under 3k :P way under!
Thank you! I indeed build hand made mandolas, (and octave mandolins, mandolins and bouzoukis as well :) and they are well under 3k (being dollars, euros or pounds!)
Wonderful explanation. Straight to the point. Finally, someone who sheds light on the confusing gobbledegook with just a few easy to understand basics. You just made my day
Nicely demonstrated, thank you, answers lots of questions when making a choice.
I play a Joe Foley 22' tuned GCgc.I never know what to call it
Very useful informations explained. Thank you.
i've learned... there are no tuning rules... my irish bouzouki gets tuned differently all the time 😅 i love it
What do you play if you tune your mandolin in GDAD ? haha Bouzoukin ?
"Octave mandola" isn't that the mandocello? XD
Actually, the mandocello is bigger and pitched lower than the octave mandolin! It’s pretty cool!
@@duncanmcpherson but not talking of octave mandolin rather they mentioned specifically "octave mandola" ;)
@@aragorn1780 Ah, gotcha! My bad.
@@duncanmcpherson it's all good 😅😅
CGDA is also the tuning of the Tenor Banjo, which was popular in American jazz bands until displaced by electric guitars.
And tenor guitar
Opportunity missed...should always play....it's why I tuned in...
Thank you for you message. I now have a video up for each of my instruments. For example: the octave mandolin tuned tuned GDAD th-cam.com/video/upbatTxP-N4/w-d-xo.html
Thank you!
Super helpful- thanks
So what am I playing?! I have a mandola tuned to GDGD, mainly for Scandi, and maybe some English or Old Time.
What is the scale lenght? Basically a mandola is tuned C3 G3 D4 A4 and has a scale around 40-48cm. It corresponds to the viola tuning and scale lenght.
Por pensar cosas raras… ¿Y un capo en el traste 12 de un bouzouki? ¿Sería una mandolina con difícil acceso a los trastes más altos? Y si hubiera un bouzouki con mejor acceso a los trastes más altos yo sería el primero en ir a por él.
Bonitos instrumentos los tuyos. Qué pena que dios me hiciera pobre y músico. Ganas me dan de tener todos los que habéis sacado en el vídeo.
¡Un abrazo!
Muchas gracias por tus buenos comentarios! Lo que encuentro con un bouzouki con capo en el traste 12, es que tiene el registro de la mandolina pero la caja no está pensada para eso y pierdes un poco la gracia. Pero no tienes que tener 2 instrumentos, es cierto!
That is very helpful in bringing a bit of light into the 8-string jungle. What is the scale length of the mandola you show in this video? The 560mm scale of th short scale bouzouki is very close to the scale length of the mandola, correct?
Thank you! My mandola, tuned in C3/G3/D4/A4 is a 43cm scale. They can range up to around 48ish cm. The Octave mandoline, tuned an octave below the mandoline G2/D3/A3/E4, has a scale that usually goes between 48cm and 56cm. The Irish bouzouki usually starts around 56cm and tunes as GDAD.
I hope it helps!
buy an real Bouzouki , Greek Bouzouki ,,, irish is only an Poor modern hybrid occidental mandolin ,, not is bouzouki .
Great video!
It's really just scale length. For me, what she's playing is an octave mandolin (regardless of how you tune it), and he's playing a bouzouki.
Nice instruments and a clear video. In UK and Ireland most call the CGDA Mandola a “Tenor” which I find really frustrating as a Viola is an Alto instrument and the “OctaveMandolin” (actually a Mandola) is the Tenor range - so keep calling it an “Alto”!
Chris Webb, if you are looking for a deeper sound, using the tuning A D G C, i have a tip for you: the irish bouzouki, and, for the strings, a good choice would be 12/ 22/ 32/ 46. For the " C" i have doubled the 46 with a 26 ,to obtain an octave higher, and an easyer playing. Greetings from Italy, Patrick
All in all, very confusing, isn't it?
Many makers title their instruments as octave mandola but neglect to include the scale. What is your experience with the term octave Mandola
Ron Karson, i'm not sure 100% , but i think that the octave mandola should reach the scale lenght of 58,2 centimeters. In this case would be more correct to say " octave mandolin" . THE regular Mandola has usually a scale lenght of 48 centimeters.
As I tried to explain, the names come and go, and depending on where the makers and players are, names will differ. But if you follow the violin family: violin=mandolin +-33-35cm GDAE. Then follows the viola=mandola C3/G3/D4/A4. The octave mandoline is an octave below the mandolin: G2/D3/A4/E4.
So technically an octave mandola would be an octave below the mandola C2/G2/D3/A3 and would actually be like the cello. And is sometimes called mandocello!
You can call it as you like, but the most important thing is to play!
That would be quite accurate. Mandola can range between 42 and 48cm.
Disappointed that not a single note was struck during this video.
I guess you didn’t watch it then…
a clip 8 minutes long to show differences, they talk 7.30 miniutes, they play 10 seconds.