Octave Mandolin

[TubeofDestiny]

was looking for some informations on the mandola used by the band Eluveitie and found your video, it's excellent ;)

we can even feel your enthusiasm just by listening to it, it really brightened my day ^^

[DeafFret]

Hi. Is it a very loud as octave mandolins go?

[girum314]

very nice! sounds medieval

[DSLRmusic]

Hi Fred!

Do you know the name of the tune? Or is it yours?

I play mandolin (and I'm thinking about getting an octave mandolin) and I'd like to play this tune myself.

Thanks!

[megadeth22885]

is the it tuned GD, then GD an octave higher, or the same octave?

[Meowmoomeowful]

Great playing, and it's really cute how much fun you were having.

[WillieG1016]

i want you to know fred, i come back to this video almost daily. it puts me in a trance. i have become obsessed with world instrumentation, and this song is lullingly beautiful.

[elasticsociety]

Great stuff man!

[LightbreadLoftin]

what is that banjo back there?

[Hvuntokrul]

Чудова гра!

Дякую

[philosoful]

Upon reading your description of this I'd be very interested if you could recommend me some Swedish Folk... I've heard a lot of Ukrainian Folk (Mainly music on an instrument called 'Bandura') but not so much Swedish stuff...

Thanks! Awesome vid.

[BuddhaLikesCelery]

Oh I mean GDGD

[WillieG1016]

@BuddhaLikesCelery i tried it. its difficult to follow all his notes, but the tuning sounds great nonetheless... my vote, go for it! and i haven't tuned back to standard since :)

[BuddhaLikesCelery]

That was really awesome. I have a regular mandolin, I wonder if I could tune it to DGDG and learn this…I know it wouldn't sound the same but still…that was great

[snitcheroo]

Phenomenal.

How did you tune your octave mandolin for this piece? Is it GDGD? I've already made it my New Year's resolution is to try and learn your fantastic composition. It might take me the whole year ;-)

[kelath5555]

Great playing, and what a beautiful sound!

[TheSteadymann]

awesome, i so wanna play an instrument like this. is it an octave mandola, or mandolin or is it the same term?

[Gonnatam84]

so pirate

[Metallicazack]

Is that a traditional tune? I love it!

[jekof4]

hey that's beautiful! I'm really fascinated by this instrument, do you know where I can buy one online?

[comploin]

this is very good

[coolband1375]

How long have you been playing? also im gonna start playing octave mandolin and was wondering if traditional octave mandolin is played with a pick or finger style?

[alabastersmom]

I adore this piece! Excellent!

[markuslebt]

add some bass rthm and voice and you ahve a kickass song

[pristineex]

Hi Fred, did you know that in oriental music violin can be tuned GDGD..

i'm still working on your version of Slangpolskas on my violin :)

[FredFredrik]

@pristineex

That's interesting. Through out the world "open tunings" have been, and are, widely used in folk music. Even in Swedish folk music the tuning AEAE is also used. They referred to it as an old tuning. It probably migrated from the orient, through Europe, up to Scandinavia. I also know the tuning GDGD is used by old time folk musicians (Appalachian folk) in West Virginia, USA. Isn't that cool!

I'm waiting with excitement to hear your progress on the slängpolska!

[kokkot82]

thanks fredfredik..

do you know a website where i can buy it?

thank you in advance

[FredFredrik]

@kokkot82

I'll PM you a site asap!

[kokkot82]

you are great!!

i like the sound of your instruments..

who is the liuther?

Thanks!!

[FredFredrik]

@kokkot82

Thank you!

This octave mandolin is a Trinity College model (full model name: Trinity College TM-325 Octave Mandolin). I think they sell for around $500 these days. I got mine for less when I bought it over 3 yrs ago. I would highly recommend it, it's a great buy!

[Darnuia]

thats was awesome! i hope you make videos with your other instruments in the background.

[fenderamore]

I must say, I do want an octave mandolin now.

[M4EMHC]

so do I me friend, so do I...

[elisar92]

That sounds fantastic!

[MrProgrock]

Very beatiful, I can't wait to get an octavemandolin/mandola myself, I own a crappy romanian hora bouzouki which I really feel like replacing. They're kind of hard to find especially the 5-course ones...

[Bronzecaster67]

That sound reminds me of Jethro Tull c:a Heavy Horser / Songs from the wood.

Really nice !

[knowthetruth2]

epic man :D

[carolinedexter]

Ah it sounds awesome. So I have a question for you and any other octave mandolin lovers - I've very kindly just been given an octave mandolin, and it is in a workshop at the moment having some work done on it. I'm asked whether I want to change to octave tuning on the lower strings. Now they are tuned at the same pitch. Yours are octaves apart, right?

[matzchase]

I have the same one. Very nice!

[FredFredrik]

Niiice! The TC octave mandolin is a bang for the buck for sure.....

[Balladeer17]

Great playing, Fred. This 'TC' octave mandola has a nice and rich sound - it's also on my wishlist but I haven't found a retailer here in Germany...

[davidgrayfb]

cool - nice sound, played well!

[byTemari]

oh ... it is very nice I have banjo ... and I hope that in the future I will play this song ;D heh , my dream ... ;D

[FoamyjbSeth]

Ahh makes me wanna dance, beautiful!!! I just love the sound of mandolins, can't wait to get one myself.

[Uuuuurk]

were did you buy it?

[hiddeninromance]

is that a 12 string banjo in the background :S

[slimpickensrx]

sounds good! sounds greek, trinity college octave mandolin? looking to buy and octave mandolin myself, how do you like yours?

[negativepink]

I have a trinity college octave mandolin myself and I adore it. The sound it pumps out is awe inspiring and the fret action is really nice on it. Definnately worth checking out.

[meandmymandola]

Loving your playing!

Peace from England

[abc123gpl]

what a Song is this ?

India Stomp or Mustafa Blues ?

[sausagemanlorne8]

Man I wish I could find an octave mandolin! They're so rare!

Great playing by the way

[TLKGuitarMan]

omg I REALLY want one of those!! =P

[damddwarf]

i wanted a mandola got a mandolin instead as a mandolin £40 £80

[mystical846]

YOU are super good I've spent over one hour and half listening to you play . i love your doggie can i have it ? , Lol thank you for posting all your videos soo good !!

[tonymusicrocks]

dang that is a NICE little thing youre playing

[Gynnemo]

Vart köpte du den här? mysigt spelat

[xBx1221x]

whats the name of the tune your playin dude?

[FredFredrik]

This is just an improvisation. I was just testing out my new OC.

[xBx1221x]

amazing dude lol i love the sound

[FredFredrik]

Thanks. Yeah, I really like the sound of the Trinity Octave Mandoline.....

[davideustache]

That was cool. Btw, thanks for NOT calling it a bouzouki - the only real bouzoukis are Greek, not Irish.

[tangograss]

Nice tune! Octave's can sounds so cool. Thanks for posting.

[adarkershadeofblack8]

:| Friggin deadly man!

[aetheriv]

Kick ass. Seriously. I was browsing around researching octave mando's and I think you just pushed me over the edge on the decision to buy one.

[Geralthe]

Where u buy this mandolin? Who make this medieval intruments?

[buckswilde]

Just bought the same Octave to mess around with. Wish I could afford a mandocello too!

[EricBlues]

great playing man. I own the exact same model. I couldn't help but notice how you hold the instrument. I always play it like a mandolin, with the body in the crotch and a ~45 degree angle with the neck. I find it a lot easier on the fingers, though the left hand grows tired more quickly from having to keep it up in the air more

[gnysken88]

hey man, where did you buy it? It's beautiful.. both sounding and looking!

[FredFredrik]

Thanks man! Yes, I'm more than happy with it. It's a Trinity College Octave Mandolin. It comes in around $400 (for the high quality of the instrument, you can't beat it!), that also includes a super nice hard case.

[FredFredrik]

Oh, and I got it from the internet. I don't remember where now, but look around to get the best and cheapest deal, that's what I did.

[TheGuitarZykko]

god! you're playing lots o' music

[Metallicazack]

I love octave mandolins! I was just looking on the internet and checking out prices, etc... (though I can't buy one, I'm 13 and broke as a drunk hobo) And one website said they can add electronics (pickups etc...). This made me think of amps, and then made me think of pedals, and I thought to myself, could you hook an octave mando up to a distortion pedal? And if so, would it sound like shit? It works with guitar and bass :P

[JellyWeed3]

I was recently bought an Octave Mandolin with a pickup. I play it through an amp with numerous distortion / delay effects. It is awsome. GDGD is nice and easy to pick up and sounds great with a slide. Wesley do a Mandolin with pick up for about £50, you may want to start there. Good luck

[percydanvers2]

that is the EXACT same as mine

[briman727]

A mandola and an octave mandolin are different things... a mandola is to a mandolin what a viola is to a violin. It's tuned C-G-D-A, whereas a mandolin is tuned G-D-A-E. An octave mandolin is tuned exactly one octave down from a mandolin.

[tordyveln]

In europe an Octave Mandolin is called Mandola.

[Methelin]

really? i thought a mandola was the one tuned CGDA?

[celtic814]

No...in Europe(UK) an octave mandolin is called an "octave mandola". Still tuned an octave lower than a "mandolin" GDAE. A mandola is still a mandola in USA or UK ---CGDA (standard tuning)

[atrickpay11]

This makes me want to pick up a mandolin!

ps. for some wicked playing check out Mike Batten's tune called 'Ten Thousand Ships'

[gmtdiato]

Do it!

[alixchilds]

some awesome sounds!! but is'nt a mandola tuned:cgda like a viola?

[Bullitt2112]

What is that weird banjo-thingy?

[OrisClarus]

This sound great! You're really good!

[weedybong]

i want one too!fuck that shit!im getting one

[tordyveln]

Vad heter låten du spelar?

[LUKEJAMESBARRETT]

im buying one in janury

[skoorb33]

Very nice, very nice. Is it hard to play? I play guitar so would it be hard for me?

[thismanonfire]

The tuning is a little different, thus some of the chords are completely backwards. It takes some getting used to, but if you already play the guitar, the rhythm and scaling would come much more easily. Good luck.

[Zekla]

Tjena fan!

Grymt skön melodi. Vem är det som byggt din mandola?

[evansdrummer]

thats rad! how much did it cost? by the way, your really good

[HenrikRagnarsson]

Känns som att du och jag är av samma skrot och korn :-)

[Granadinoesaul]

In youtube write this: carretas aqui es el tono (Bandurria), and ear this song, is realy beatiful

[Granadinoesaul]

al tio ese le aconsejo que toque una bandurria, suena tambien muy bien

[MTNSoftheMOON]

you're flowed

[MTNSoftheMOON]

you're flow is good

[fiatnutz]

Cool dude!

[Hellmasterdeadman]

Is there any difference with a Bouzuki? or or is the bouzouki the greek word for mandola or octave mandolin?

[xynaxis]

ever tried "maid in bedlam"?

[chienheng2001]

name of the song ?

[Jeefwee]

You know octave mandolin and Mandola are two different things though :|.

People often get them confused.

But a Mandola is right between Mandolin and Octave Mandolin as far as sound goes.

Octave Mandolin's too are sometimes referred to as Bouzoiki's.

Which is some type of celtic instrument.

[FredFredrik]

Yeah, the terminology gets hazy depending who you ask and what country you are in. Because I'm from Sweden, I use the term Mandola (correct term: octave mandola) for my octave mandolin. If I would say octave mandolin, most woulden't know what I referred to. That's basically why. Here in the US I always say octave mandolin. Saying Mandola would confuse....Crazy, I know!

[Jeefwee]

lol, that works :P.

Just making sure :D

[dillwankster]

nice work Fred

Im currently building mandolas

[MarcoCia]

very nice!!

[mikedub1219]

its actually not an octave mandolin. its in C instead of G.

[anileekayne]

Beautiful; I had never heard a mandola before but I love it~! ^_^

[FredFredrik]

For everybody that ask for tabs. I'm to lazy to write tabs for this improvisation and other tunes. You guys just have to learn the tunes the old fashioned way, by ear!

[guitarpunkfreakk]

can i have the tabs and do you have any good mandolin tabs you can send me?? much thanks.

[metalman924]

can you tell me where the tab is for this please?

[metalman924]

I WANT THE TAB

[musik699]

fredfredrick, wich u prefer mandolin o5r octave mandolin (mandola)??

[Indremafan]

this sounds really cool! i notice you have many stringed instuments, is it somewhat easy to learn one after you have mastered another?

[FredFredrik]

Pretty much....It dosen't have to take like years to master new stringed instruments anymore. But belive me it still can take some time....

[THECREEL]

nice what tuning is it in.

[4lime8]

Hey could you help me, i have a Bazooki and it looks identicle to your octave mandolin (mandola over here Hehe) I have no idea how to play it, but at the moment its tuned the same as my mandolins and i can play it that way.... do you have any advice (or helping my ignorance lol are they just very similar?) well any help would be much appreciated if you have the time, thanks bud. xx Becks

[JohnSelma]

On terminology. In Europe, a mandola is an octave mandolin with a scale length of about 24" (that's the length of the vibrating string) usually tuned GDAE. An Irish bouzouki is much the same but the scale length is around 27". In Irish music it is often tuned GDAD. In North America, a mandola usually has a scale length of 16-17" and is known as a tenor mandola in Europe. It is tuned CGDA like a viola.

John

[skelmir]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

FRED

YOU

ARE

A

GOD

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nathanielmwhite]

Sweetness, I really want to try playing a mandola now.

[mandolinman44]

Very Cool!! Nice playing. Ive always thought of the mandola being slightly larger than a mandolin and slightly smaller than a octave mandolin. Also like the Viola, a mandola is tuned C-G-D-A. Very cool Jig!!

[bobfresco]

You mention Swedish traditional folk music...what artists / cd's would you recommend to get into this type of music? Great job!

[skelmir]

your damn good. I wanne learn moandola for myself Ì´m bidding on ebay to get my first one. I habe no experiences on those instruments, can you tell me how long i would need to get some tunes ? or give me some help where ia could learn by instructions ?

[probrewer]

Awesome, keep up the great work!

[afortyandoldstrings]

That is an octave mandolin for sure. Way too big to be a CGDA mandola. I enjoyed the clip and the percussive flavoring. The flat-bodied mandos I own ... I would never think to hit the soundboard like that; I've heard that the Trinity College octaves and mandolas are built like tanks and have a bottom BOOM.

[FredFredrik]

Go to wikipedia and type mandola and the mystery shall be reveled....

[vietgrove]

Absolutely excellent, many thanks for uploading this!

[Leanid]

I think it's an octave, judging from the celtic-cross pattern on the headstock, the fully circular (not oval) soundhole, and the (apparent) length of the instrument. These all seem to be different on the Trinity College mandola.

[FredFredrik]

By American standads this would be referd to as an Octave mandolin..To europian stadards this would be refered to an Mandola....Confusing ain't it!

[nohomatt]

Sounds Great...two questions, is that a mandola or an octave mandolin your playing? Also, who made it?

[FredFredrik]

It's a Trinity college....With a couple of simple and not expensive modifications it cna sound like a hand build instrument....

[diddledw]

Great playing! What modifications did you make to your TC?

[wolf8793]

Ah, looks you and your Mandolin know each other well.. Thank you

[autodane]

mandola's are usually tuned cgda, though?

[UberProdigy]

Yeah, you're right. This is an octave mandolin, which is different than a mandola. Mandola is tuned exactly the same as the viola, and the mandocello is essentially the "octave mandola" (tuned like a cello, obviously).

[MikeBatten]

That has Such an amazing sound!

are they new strings? I have the exact mandolin, trinity College. Great Playing man, love the style

[FredFredrik]

Thanks man! Yes it's new string, in fact I think this is only 3 hours after I got it :)

[ambidine]

Amazing!

[ambidine]

Could you please tell what your mandolin is tuned to.. Many tx.

[FredFredrik]

In this clip...GDGD

[Tocinator]

Beautiful!!

[digitalhoney]

I loved the pure melody.

[4crows]

how do you have that tuned & r they regular gauge octave mando strings??  thanks

[FredFredrik]

regular gauge, but in this clip its tuned GDGD...

[ronhmason]

I didn't see it in the comments but with your GDGD tuning, what guage strings are you using?

Great playing though.

Ron

[rottenhubert]

Sounds great, Fred.  I love the 1515 tunings on mando-family instruments. There's a musician here in Nova Scotia named Daniel Heikalo who plays cittern in this tuning... beautiful stuff.

Congrats on the new toy!