A mandolin (Italian: mandolino pronounced [mandoˈliːno]; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most ...
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commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 strings, although,there are 4 string, 5 string, 6 string, 5 double string (10 strings), 6 (12 strings), and even 4 a triple string (12 strings) course versions also exist. A variety of string types are used, with steel strings being the most common and usually the least expensive. The courses are typically tuned in an interval of perfect fifths, with the same tuning as a violin (G3, D4, A4, E5). Also, like the violin, it is the soprano member of a family that includes the mandola, octave mandolin, mandocello and mandobass.