1 Ancestors of the Mandolin
One ancestor of the mandolin is the Quinthara (or Quiterne), which came from the west Islamic culture to Spain and south Italy. From 1300 onwards many of these instruments can be found in pictures of the time. The Quiterne has 3 or more single, or four double strings. It is likely that this instrument was played with a plectrum or a quill. The shown instrument was made around 1450.

Quiterne

Quiterne close up of sound hole

2 The Mandolin during the Renaissance
During the Renaissance, construction of the mandolin changed. The body was made out of single wooden strips that were glued together. The instrument had 4 single or double strings and up to 9 frets (the frets consisted of gut strings that were wound around the neck). From 1570 the instrument was also found in France where it was called Mandore. The first known tablature for Mandore was published in Paris in 1578. In Italy, the same instrument was called Mandola, and in contrast to the Mandore, it was tuned in fourths.

Mandore

3 The Mandolin during the Baroque 1: The Mandolino
From the first part of the 17th century an instrument called Mandolino was developed. It was a smaller version of the Mandola. Music from this period indicates that it was a 12-stringed instrument, in pairs, tuned g b e’ a’ d’’ g’’ (starting with the lowest-sounding note)

Mandolino

Recommended CDs The CD “The Baroque Mandolin” lets you hear examples of the repertoire and the instruments played at this time.

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