Mandolin

context: A mandolin (Italian: mandolino pronounced [mandoˈliːno]; literally "small mandola") is a musical instrument in the lute family and is usually plucked with a plectrum or "pick". It commonly has four courses of doubled metal strings tuned in unison (8 strings), although five (10 strings) and six (12 strings) course versions also exist. The courses are normally tuned in a succession of perfect fifths. It is the soprano member of a family that includes the mandola, octave mandolin, mandocello and mandobass.
qas: answers: Italian
question: What country did the mandolin originate from?

answers: small mandola
question: What does mandolin translate to? 

answers: lute family
question: What musical family does the mandolin come from?

answers: usually plucked with a plectrum or "pick"
question: How is the mandolin usually played?

answers: four
question: How many courses does a mandolin commonly have? 

context: There are many styles of mandolin, but four are common, the Neapolitan or round-backed mandolin, the carved-top mandolin and the flat-backed mandolin. The round-back has a deep bottom, constructed of strips of wood, glued together into a bowl. The carved-top or arch-top mandolin has a much shallower, arched back, and an arched top—both carved out of wood. The flat-backed mandolin uses thin sheets of wood for the body, braced on the inside for strength in a similar manner to a guitar. Each style of instrument has its own sound quality and is associated with particular forms of music. Neapolitan mandolins feature prominently in European classical music and traditional music. Carved-top instruments are common in American folk music and bluegrass music. Flat-backed instruments are commonly used in Irish, British and Brazilian folk music. Some modern Brazilian instruments feature an extra fifth course tuned a fifth lower than the standard fourth course.
qas: answers: the Neapolitan or round-backed mandolin, the carved-top mandolin and the flat-backed mandolin.
question: What are the four common styles of mandolins?

answers: strips of wood, glued together into a bowl
question: What is the round-back mandolin made of? 

answers: round-back
question: Which style of mandolin has a shallower, arched back, and arched top?

answers: European classical music and traditional music.
question: Which form of music do Neapolitan mandolins feature? 

answers: Carved-top instruments
question: Which mandolin is commin in American Folk music and blue grass music?

context: Much of mandolin development revolved around the soundboard (the top). Pre-mandolin instruments were quiet instruments, strung with as many as six courses of gut strings, and were plucked with the fingers or with a quill. However, modern instruments are louder—using four courses of metal strings, which exert more pressure than the gut strings. The modern soundboard is designed to withstand the pressure of metal strings that would break earlier instruments. The soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. There is usually one or more sound holes in the soundboard, either round, oval, or shaped like a calligraphic F (f-hole). A round or oval sound hole may be covered or bordered with decorative rosettes or purfling.
qas: answers: soundboard (the top)
question: What did most of the development of the mandolin revolve around?

answers: quiet instruments
question: Were premandolins quiet or loud instruments? 

answers: four courses of metal strings,
question: What are modern mandolins' strings made of? 

answers: generally round or teardrop-shaped
question: What is the most common soundboard shape?

answers: bordered with decorative rosettes or purfling
question: What are the sound holes covered with? 

context: Beside the introduction of the lute to Spain (Andalusia) by the Moors, another important point of transfer of the lute from Arabian to European culture was Sicily, where it was brought either by Byzantine or later by Muslim musicians. There were singer-lutenists at the court in Palermo following the Norman conquest of the island from the Muslims, and the lute is depicted extensively in the ceiling paintings in the Palermo’s royal Cappella Palatina, dedicated by the Norman King Roger II of Sicily in 1140. His Hohenstaufen grandson Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor (1194 - 1250) continued integrating Muslims into his court, including Moorish musicians. By the 14th century, lutes had disseminated throughout Italy and, probably because of the cultural influence of the Hohenstaufen kings and emperor, based in Palermo, the lute had also made significant inroads into the German-speaking lands.
qas: answers: the Moors
question: Who introduced the lute to Spain?

answers: Sicily
question: What country helped transfer the lute from Arabian to European culture? 

answers: Byzantine or later by Muslim musicians
question: Who brought the lute to Sicily?

answers: Palermo
question: What court held singer-lutenists after the Norman conquest?

answers: Palermo’s royal Cappella Palatina,
question: What building has ceeiling painting dedicated to the lutenists? 

context: There is confusion currently as to the name of the eldest Vinaccia luthier who first ran the shop. His name has been put forth as Gennaro Vinaccia (active c. 1710 to c. 1788) and Nic. Vinaccia. His son Antonio Vinaccia was active c. 1734 to c. 1796. An early extant example of a mandolin is one built by Antonio Vinaccia in 1759, which resides at the University of Edinburgh. Another is by Giuseppe Vinaccia, built in 1893, is also at the University of Edinburgh. The earliest extant mandolin was built in 1744 by Antonio's son, Gaetano Vinaccia. It resides in the Conservatoire Royal de Musique in Brussels, Belgium.
qas: answers: eldest Vinaccia luthier who first ran the shop
question: What is there currently confusion over? 

answers: Gennaro Vinaccia (active c. 1710 to c. 1788) and Nic
question: Who is said to have ran the first shop? 

answers: University of Edinburgh
question: Where does the mandolin built by Antonio Vinaccia reside?

answers: University of Edinburgh
question: Where does the mandolin built by Giuseppe Vinaccia reside?

answers: Conservatoire Royal de Musique in Brussels, Belgium.
question: Where does the mandolin that Gaetano Vinaccia reside?

context: The transition from the mandolino to the mandolin began around 1744 with the designing of the metal-string mandolin by the Vinaccia family, 3 brass strings and one of gut, using friction tuning pegs on a fingerboard that sat "flush" with the sound table. The mandolin grew in popularity over the next 60 years, in the streets where it was used by young men courting and by street musicians, and in the concert hall. After the Napoleonic Wars of 1815, however, its popularity began to fall. The 19th century produced some prominent players, including Bartolomeo Bortolazzi of Venice and Pietro Vimercati. However, professional virtuosity was in decline, and the mandolin music changed as the mandolin became a folk instrument; "the large repertoire of notated instrumental music for the mandolino and the mandoline was completely forgotten". The export market for mandolins from Italy dried up around 1815, and when Carmine de Laurentiis wrote a mandolin method in 1874, the Music World magazine wrote that the mandolin was "out of date." Salvador Léonardi mentioned this decline in his 1921 book, Méthode pour Banjoline ou Mandoline-Banjo, saying that the mandolin had been declining in popularity from previous times.
qas: answers: 1744
question: What year was the beginning of the transition from mandolino to mandolin?

answers: in the streets where it was used by young men courting and by street musicians, and in the concert hall
question: Where did the mandolin grow in popularity? 

answers: After the Napoleonic Wars of 1815, however, its popularity began to fall
question: When did the mandolin's popularity begin to fall?

answers: Bartolomeo Bortolazzi of Venice and Pietro Vimercati
question: Who were two of the promiment players in the 19th century?

answers: 1815
question: What year did the export market for manodlins from Italy dry up?

context: Beginning with the Paris Exposition of 1878, the instrument's popularity rebounded. The Exposition was one of many stops for a popular new performing group the Estudiantes Españoles (Spanish Students). They danced and played guitars, violins and the bandurria, which became confused with the mandolin. Along with the energy and awareness created by the day's hit sensation, a wave of Italian mandolinists travelled Europe in the 1880s and 1890s and in the United States by the mid-1880s, playing and teaching their instrument. The instrument's popularity continued to increase during the 1890s and mandolin popularity was at its height in "early years of the 20th century." Thousands were taking up the instrument as a pastime, and it became an instrument of society, taken up by young men and women. Mandolin orchestras were formed worldwide, incorporating not only the mandolin family of instruments, but also guitars, double basses and zithers.
qas: answers: Beginning with the Paris Exposition of 1878
question: When did the mandolin's poplarity rebound?

answers: Estudiantes Españoles (Spanish Students)
question: What popular group performed at the Paris Exposition? 

answers: early years of the 20th century.
question: When was it said that mandolin's popularity peaked? 

answers: bandurria
question: What instrument was the mandolin confused with during the 1880's? 

answers: Mandolin orchestras
question: What were formed worldwide that incorporated the mandolin famiy of instruments and other instruments as well?

context: The second decline was not as complete as the first. Thousands of people had learned to play the instrument. Even as the second wave of mandolin popularity declined in the early 20th century, new versions of the mandolin began to be used in new forms of music. Luthiers created the resonator mandolin, the flatback mandolin, the carved-top or arched-top mandolin, the mandolin-banjo and the electric mandolin. Musicians began playing it in Celtic, Bluegrass, Jazz and Rock-n-Roll styles — and Classical too.
qas: answers: early 20th century,
question: When was the second decline of mandolin popularity?

answers: Thousands of people had learned to play the instrument
question: Why was the second decline in popularity not a strong as the first?

answers: Luthiers
question: Who created the rasonator mandolin?

answers: mandolin-banjo and the electric mandolin
question: What are two types of new mandolins the Luthiers created?

answers: Celtic, Bluegrass, Jazz and Rock-n-Roll styles — and Classical too.
question: What types of music did musicians begin to play the mandolins in?

context: Like any plucked instrument, mandolin notes decay to silence rather than sound out continuously as with a bowed note on a violin, and mandolin notes decay faster than larger stringed instruments like the guitar. This encourages the use of tremolo (rapid picking of one or more pairs of strings) to create sustained notes or chords. The mandolin's paired strings facilitate this technique: the plectrum (pick) strikes each of a pair of strings alternately, providing a more full and continuous sound than a single string would.
qas: answers: decay to silence
question: What happens to mandolin notes when plucked? 

answers: faster
question: Do mandolin notes decay faster or slower than larger string instruments?

answers: rapid picking of one or more pairs of strings
question: What is tremolo?

answers: paired strings
question: What parts of the mandolin faciliate the tremolo technique?

answers: pick
question: What is a plectrum?

context: The Neapolitan style has an almond-shaped body resembling a bowl, constructed from curved strips of wood. It usually has a bent sound table, canted in two planes with the design to take the tension of the 8 metal strings arranged in four courses. A hardwood fingerboard sits on top of or is flush with the sound table. Very old instruments may use wooden tuning pegs, while newer instruments tend to use geared metal tuners. The bridge is a movable length of hardwood. A pickguard is glued below the sound hole under the strings. European roundbacks commonly use a 13-inch scale instead of the 13.876 common on archtop Mandolins.
qas: answers: almond-shaped body resembling a bowl, constructed from curved strips of wood
question: What kind of style does the Neapolitan mandolin have?

answers: 8
question: How many strings does the Neapolitan mandolin have?

answers: metal strings
question: What are the Neapolitan mandolin made of?

answers: hardwood fingerboard
question: What sits on top or is flush with the sound table of the Mandolin?

answers: 13-inch scale
question: How long is the scale commonly used on European roundbacks? 

context: Another family of bowlback mandolins came from Milan and Lombardy. These mandolins are closer to the mandolino or mandore than other modern mandolins. They are shorter and wider than the standard Neapolitan mandolin, with a shallow back. The instruments have 6 strings, 3 wire treble-strings and 3 gut or wire-wrapped-silk bass-strings. The strings ran between the tuning pegs and a bridge that was glued to the soundboard, as a guitar's. The Lombardic mandolins were tuned g b e' a' d" g". A developer of the Milanese stye was Antonio Monzino (Milan) and his family who made them for 6 generations.
qas: answers: Milan and Lombardy
question: Where did the Lombardic family of bowlback mandolins come from?

answers: mandolino or mandore
question: What do the Lombardic mandolins resemble more than modern mandolins?

answers: They are shorter and wider
question: What differences do the Lombardic mandolins have from the Neapolitan mandolin?

answers: 6 strings
question: How many strings do the Lombardic mandolins have?

answers: Antonio Monzino
question: Who was the developer of the Milanese mandolin?

context: Samuel Adelstein described the Lombardi mandolin in 1893 as wider and shorter than the Neapolitan mandolin, with a shallower back and a shorter and wider neck, with six single strings to the regular mandolin's set of 4. The Lombardi was tuned C, D, A, E, B, G. The strings were fastened to the bridge like a guitar's. There were 20 frets, covering three octaves, with an additional 5 notes. When Adelstein wrote, there were no nylon strings, and the gut and single strings "do not vibrate so clearly and sweetly as the double steel string of the Neapolitan."
qas: answers: Samuel Adelstein
question: Who described the Lombardi mandolin as wider and shorter than the Neoapolitan mandolin?

answers: 4
question: How many strings do the regular mandolin's have?

answers: C, D, A, E, B, G.
question: What was the Lombardi Mandolin tuned to?

answers: 20 frets
question: How many frets did the Lombardi have?

answers: three octaves
question: How many octaves did the Lombardi cover?

context: In his 1805 mandolin method, Anweisung die Mandoline von selbst zu erlernen nebst einigen Uebungsstucken von Bortolazzi, Bartolomeo Bortolazzi popularised the Cremonese mandolin, which had four single-strings and a fixed bridge, to which the strings were attached. Bortolazzi said in this book that the new wire strung mandolins were uncomfortable to play, when compared with the gut-string instruments. Also, he felt they had a "less pleasing...hard, zither-like tone" as compared to the gut string's "softer, full-singing tone." He favored the four single strings of the Cremonese instrument, which were tuned the same as the Neapolitan.
qas: answers: Bartolomeo Bortolazzi
question: Who popularised the Cremonese Mandolin?

answers: Anweisung die Mandoline von selbst zu erlernen nebst einigen Uebungsstucken von Bortolazzi
question: What was Bartolomeo Bortolazzi's popular mandolin method?

answers: four single-strings
question: How many strings did the Cremonese Mandolin have?

answers: uncomfortable to play
question: Did Bortolazzi like playing the new wire strung mandolins? 

answers: less pleasing...hard, zither-like tone
question: What did Bortolazzi say about the sound? 

context: At the very end of the 19th century, a new style, with a carved top and back construction inspired by violin family instruments began to supplant the European-style bowl-back instruments in the United States. This new style is credited to mandolins designed and built by Orville Gibson, a Kalamazoo, Michigan luthier who founded the "Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co., Limited" in 1902. Gibson mandolins evolved into two basic styles: the Florentine or F-style, which has a decorative scroll near the neck, two points on the lower body and usually a scroll carved into the headstock; and the A-style, which is pear shaped, has no points and usually has a simpler headstock.
qas: answers: end of the 19th century
question: When was a new sytle of carved top and back construction mandolins created?

answers: violin family instruments
question: What was the new sytle of mandolins inspired from?

answers: European-style bowl-back
question: What sytle did the new style of mandolins supplant?

answers: Orville Gibson
question: Who founded the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co, Limited? 

context: These styles generally have either two f-shaped soundholes like a violin (F-5 and A-5), or an oval sound hole (F-4 and A-4 and lower models) directly under the strings. Much variation exists between makers working from these archetypes, and other variants have become increasingly common. Generally, in the United States, Gibson F-hole F-5 mandolins and mandolins influenced by that design are strongly associated with bluegrass, while the A-style is associated other types of music, although it too is most often used for and associated with bluegrass. The F-5's more complicated woodwork also translates into a more expensive instrument.
qas: answers: two f-shaped soundholes like a violin (F-5 and A-5), or an oval sound hole (F-4 and A-4 and lower models)
question: What shape sounds holes do these styles of mandolins have? 

answers: directly under the strings
question: Where are the soundholes located?

answers: Gibson F-hole F-5 mandolins
question: What mandolin is associate with Bluegrass music?

answers: A-style
question: What style is associate with other types of music?

answers: complicated woodwork
question: Why is the F-5 mandolin more expensive?

context: Numerous modern mandolin makers build instruments that largely replicate the Gibson F-5 Artist models built in the early 1920s under the supervision of Gibson acoustician Lloyd Loar. Original Loar-signed instruments are sought after and extremely valuable. Other makers from the Loar period and earlier include Lyon and Healy, Vega and Larson Brothers. Some notable modern American carved mandolin manufacturers include, in addition to Kay, Gibson, Weber, Monteleone and Collings. Mandolins from other countries include The Loar (China), Santa, Rosa (China), Michael Kelly (Korea), Eastman (China), Kentucky (China), Heiden (Canada), Gilchrist (Australia) and Morgan Monroe (China).
qas: answers: Gibson F-5
question: What style of Gisbon Mandolin was largely replicated?

answers: early 1920s
question: When was the Gibson F-5 largely replicated?

answers: Gibson acoustician Lloyd Loar
question: Who supervised the Gibson F-5's replication? 

answers: Lyon and Healy, Vega and Larson Brothers
question: Who are the other makers from the Loar period? 

answers: Kay, Gibson, Weber, Monteleone and Collings.
question: Who were notable modern American mandolin manufacturers? 

context: The international repertoire of music for mandolin is almost unlimited, and musicians use it to play various types of music. This is especially true of violin music, since the mandolin has the same tuning of the violin. Following its invention and early development in Italy the mandolin spread throughout the European continent. The instrument was primarily used in a classical tradition with Mandolin orchestras, so called Estudiantinas or in Germany Zupforchestern appearing in many cities. Following this continental popularity of the mandolin family local traditions appeared outside of Europe in the Americas and in Japan. Travelling mandolin virtuosi like Giuseppe Pettine, Raffaele Calace and Silvio Ranieri contributed to the mandolin becoming a "fad" instrument in the early 20th century. This "mandolin craze" was fading by the 1930s, but just as this practice was falling into disuse, the mandolin found a new niche in American country, old-time music, bluegrass and folk music. More recently, the Baroque and Classical mandolin repertory and styles have benefited from the raised awareness of and interest in Early music, with media attention to classical players such as Israeli Avi Avital, Italian Carlo Aonzo and American Joseph Brent.
qas: answers: violin
question: What instrument does the mandolin share the same tuning of?  

answers: classical tradition with Mandolin orchestras
question: Where was the mandolin primarily used? 

answers: early 20th century
question: When was the mandolin considered a fad?

answers: Giuseppe Pettine, Raffaele Calace and Silvio Ranieri
question: Who contributed to the idea that the mandolin was a fad? 

answers: 1930s
question: When did the mandolin craze end?

context: Phil Skinner played a key role in 20th century development of the mandolin movement in Australia, and was awarded an MBE in 1979 for services to music and the community. He was born Harry Skinner in Sydney in 1903 and started learning music at age 10 when his uncle tutored him on the banjo. Skinner began teaching part-time at age 18, until the Great Depression forced him to begin teaching full-time and learn a broader range of instruments. Skinner founded the Sydney Mandolin Orchestra, the oldest surviving mandolin orchestra in Australia.
qas: answers: Phil Skinner
question: Who played a key role Australian mandolin movement? 

answers: 20th century
question: When did the Australian mandolin movement begin?

answers: 1979
question: When was Phil Skinner awarded an MBE? 

answers: Harry Skinner
question: What was Phil Skinner's birth name? 

answers: 10
question: At what age did Phil Skinner begin playing music? 

context: The Sydney Mandolins (Artistic Director: Adrian Hooper) have contributed greatly to the repertoire through commissioning over 200 works by Australian and International composers. Most of these works have been released on Compact Disks and can regularly be heard on radio stations on the ABC and MBS networks. One of their members, mandolin virtuoso Paul Hooper, has had a number of Concertos written for him by composers such as Eric Gross. He has performed and recorded these works with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. As well, Paul Hooper has had many solo works dedicated to him by Australian composers e.g., Caroline Szeto, Ian Shanahan, Larry Sitsky and Michael Smetanin.
qas: answers: Adrian Hooper
question: Who is the director of the Sydney Mandolins?

answers: over 200 works
question: How many commisions of Sydney Mandolins have their been?

answers: Compact Disks
question: On what media was most of these work released?

answers: ABC and MBS networks
question: What radio stations can they be heard on? 

answers: mandolin virtuoso Paul Hooper
question: Who has had many Concertos written for him? 

context: In the early 20th century several mandolin orchestras (Estudiantinas) were active in Belgium. Today only a few groups remain: Royal Estudiantina la Napolitaine (founded in 1904) in Antwerp, Brasschaats mandoline orkest in Brasschaat and an orchestra in Mons (Bergen). Gerda Abts is a well known mandolin virtuoso in Belgium. She is also mandolin teacher and gives lessons in the music academies of Lier, Wijnegem and Brasschaat. She is now also professor mandolin at the music high school “Koninklijk Conservatorium Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen”. She also gives various concerts each year in different ensembles. She is in close contact to the Brasschaat mandolin Orchestra. Her site is www.gevoeligesnaar.be
qas: answers: mandolin orchestras
question: What is an Etsudiantinas? 

answers: Belgium
question: Where were the Estudiantinas active in during the early 20th century?

answers: Royal Estudiantina la Napolitaine (founded in 1904) in Antwerp, Brasschaats mandoline orkest in Brasschaat and an orchestra in Mons (Bergen).
question: What groups remain today? 

answers: Belgium
question: Where is Gerda Abts well know in? 

answers: Koninklijk Conservatorium Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen
question: Where is Gerda Abst a professor mandolin?

context: Prior to the Golden Age of Mandolins, France had a history with the mandolin, with mandolinists playing in Paris until the Napoleonic Wars. The players, teachers and composers included Giovanni Fouchetti, Eduardo Mezzacapo, Gabriele Leon, and Gervasio. During the Golden age itself (1880s-1920s), the mandolin had a strong presence in France. Prominent mandolin players or composers included Jules Cottin and his sister Madeleine Cottin, Jean Pietrapertosa, and Edgar Bara. Paris had dozens of "estudiantina" mandolin orchestras in the early 1900s. Mandolin magazines included L'Estudiantina, Le Plectre, École de la mandolie.
qas: answers: Golden Age of Mandolins
question: Prior to what age did France have a history with the mandolin?

answers: Paris
question: Where in France did the mandolinists play?

answers: Napoleonic Wars.
question: When did the mandolinists stop playing in Paris?

answers: Giovanni Fouchetti, Eduardo Mezzacapo, Gabriele Leon, and Gervasio
question: Who were the players and composers during this time?

answers: 1880s-1920s
question: What years was considered the Golden Age of Mandolins?

context: On the island of Crete, along with the lyra and the laouto (lute), the mandolin is one of the main instruments used in Cretan Music. It appeared on Crete around the time of the Venetian rule of the island. Different variants of the mandolin, such as the "mantola," were used to accompany the lyra, the violin, and the laouto. Stelios Foustalierakis reported that the mandolin and the mpoulgari were used to accompany the lyra in the beginning of the 20th century in the city of Rethimno. There are also reports that the mandolin was mostly a woman's musical instrument. Nowadays it is played mainly as a solo instrument in personal and family events on the Ionian islands and Crete.
qas: answers: island of Crete
question: What Island is the mandolin a main instrument in Cretan Music? 

answers: around the time of the Venetian rule of the island.
question: When did the mandolin appears on Crete?

answers: mantola
question: What was one of the variants of the mandolin that was used?

answers: Stelios Foustalierakis
question: Who reported that the mandolin and the mpoulgari were used to accompany the lyria? 

answers: woman
question: The mandolin was reported to be popular among what sex? 

context: Many adaptations of the instrument have been done to cater to the special needs of Indian Carnatic music. In Indian classical music and Indian light music, the mandolin, which bears little resemblance to the European mandolin, is usually tuned E-B-E-B. As there is no concept of absolute pitch in Indian classical music, any convenient tuning maintaining these relative pitch intervals between the strings can be used. Another prevalent tuning with these intervals is C-G-C-G, which corresponds to Sa-Pa-Sa-Pa in the Indian carnatic classical music style. This tuning corresponds to the way violins are tuned for carnatic classical music. This type of mandolin is also used in Bhangra, dance music popular in Punjabi culture.
qas: answers: Indian Carnatic
question: Many adaptations of the instruments were done to cater to what type of music? 

answers: E-B-E-B.
question: What is the mandolin usually tuned to for Indian music?

answers: absolute pitch
question: There is no concept of what in Indian music? 

answers: C-G-C-G
question: What is another popular madonlin tuning? 

answers: Bhangra
question: These mandolin are used in a popular dance music called? 

context: Though almost any variety of acoustic mandolin might be adequate for Irish traditional music, virtually all Irish players prefer flat-backed instruments with oval sound holes to the Italian-style bowl-back mandolins or the carved-top mandolins with f-holes favoured by bluegrass mandolinists. The former are often too soft-toned to hold their own in a session (as well as having a tendency to not stay in place on the player's lap), whilst the latter tend to sound harsh and overbearing to the traditional ear. The f-hole mandolin, however, does come into its own in a traditional session, where its brighter tone cuts through the sonic clutter of a pub. Greatly preferred for formal performance and recording are flat-topped "Irish-style" mandolins (reminiscent of the WWI-era Martin Army-Navy mandolin) and carved (arch) top mandolins with oval soundholes, such as the Gibson A-style of the 1920s.
qas: answers: might be adequate for Irish traditional music, virtually all Irish players prefer flat-backed instruments with oval sound holes
question: What types of instruments do irish player prefer?

answers: too soft-toned
question: Why is it said that the Italian style can't hold their own session? 

answers: the carved-top mandolins with f-holes
question: Which type mandolin had a tendency not to stay in the player's lap?

answers: flat-topped "Irish-style" mandolins
question: Which mandolin was preferred for formal performances and recordings? 

answers: WWI-era Martin Army-Navy mandolin
question: What was the Irish style mandolin reminiscent of?

context: Noteworthy Irish mandolinists include Andy Irvine (who, like Johnny Moynihan, almost always tunes the top E down to D, to achieve an open tuning of GDAD), Paul Brady, Mick Moloney, Paul Kelly and Claudine Langille. John Sheahan and the late Barney McKenna, respectively fiddle player and tenor banjo player with The Dubliners, are also accomplished Irish mandolin players. The instruments used are either flat-backed, oval hole examples as described above (made by UK luthier Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars), or carved-top, oval hole instruments with arched back (made by Stefan Sobell in Northumberland). The Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher often played the mandolin on stage, and he most famously used it in the song "Going To My Hometown."
qas: answers: Andy Irvine
question: Who are some of the famous Irish Mandolinists?

answers: John Sheahan and the late Barney McKenna
question: Who are popular fiddle player and tenor banjo player?

answers: The Dubliners,
question: What was John Sheahan and Barney Mckenna's band called?

answers: UK luthier Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars
question: Who made the instruments used by the Dubliners?

answers: Rory Gallagher
question: What Irish guitarist played the mandolin on stage?

context: Antonio Vivaldi composed a mandolin concerto (Concerto in C major Op.3 6) and two concertos for two mandolins and orchestra. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart placed it in his 1787 work Don Giovanni and Beethoven created four variations of it. Antonio Maria Bononcini composed La conquista delle Spagne di Scipione Africano il giovane in 1707 and George Frideric Handel composed Alexander Balus in 1748. Others include Giovani Battista Gervasio (Sonata in D major for Mandolin and Basso Continuo), Giuseppe Giuliano (Sonata in D major for Mandolin and Basso Continuo), Emanuele Barbella (Sonata in D major for Mandolin and Basso Continuo), Domenico Scarlatti (Sonata n.54 (K.89) in D minor for Mandolin and Basso Continuo), and Addiego Guerra (Sonata in G major for Mandolin and Basso Continuo).
qas: answers: Antonio Vivaldi
question: Who composed the Concerto in C Major Op 3 6?

answers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
question: Who placed it in his 1787 work? 

answers: Don Giovanni and Beethoven
question: What two artists created four variations of the Concerto in C Major Op 3 6?

answers: Antonio Maria Bononcini
question: Who composed the La conquista della Spagne di Scipione Afriacano il giovance?

answers: 1748
question: When was Alexander Balus composed? 

context: The expansion of mandolin use continued after World War II through the late 1960s, and Japan still maintains a strong classical music tradition using mandolins, with active orchestras and university music programs. New orchestras were founded and new orchestral compositions composed. Japanese mandolin orchestras today may consist of up to 40 or 50 members, and can include woodwind, percussion, and brass sections. Japan also maintains an extensive collection of 20th Century mandolin music from Europe and one of the most complete collections of mandolin magazines from mandolin's golden age, purchased by Morishige Takei.
qas: answers: Japan
question: What country still maintains strong classic music tradition with mandolin?

answers: 40 or 50 members
question: How many people compose the Japanese mandolin orchestras?

answers: include woodwind, percussion, and brass sections.
question: What other instruments do the Japanese madnolin orchestras play?

answers: 20th Century mandolin music from Europe and one of the most complete collections of mandolin magazines from mandolin's golden age
question: Japan hold and extensive collection of what? 

answers: Morishige Takei.
question: Who purhcased one of the collections of mandolin magazines? 

context: The bandolim (Portuguese for "mandolin") was a favourite instrument within the Portuguese bourgeoisie of the 19th century, but its rapid spread took it to other places, joining other instruments. Today you can see mandolins as part of the traditional and folk culture of Portuguese singing groups and the majority of the mandolin scene in Portugal is in Madeira Island. Madeira has over 17 active mandolin Orchestras and Tunas. The mandolin virtuoso Fabio Machado is one of Portugal's most accomplished mandolin players. The Portuguese influence brought the mandolin to Brazil.
qas: answers: Portuguese for "mandolin"
question: What does bandolim mean?

answers: 19th century
question: When was the bandolim porpular among the Portugese bourgeoisie?

answers: traditional and folk culture
question: Where can you see mandolins a part of in Portgal? 

answers: Madeira Island
question: Where is the Portuguese mandolin scene located? 

answers: over 17
question: How many active mandolin orchestras does the Madiera Island have? 

context: The mandolin has been used extensively in the traditional music of England and Scotland for generations. Simon Mayor is a prominent British player who has produced six solo albums, instructional books and DVDs, as well as recordings with his mandolin quartet the Mandolinquents. The instrument has also found its way into British rock music. The mandolin was played by Mike Oldfield (and introduced by Vivian Stanshall) on Oldfield's album Tubular Bells, as well as on a number of his subsequent albums (particularly prominently on Hergest Ridge (1974) and Ommadawn (1975)). It was used extensively by the British folk-rock band Lindisfarne, who featured two members on the instrument, Ray Jackson and Simon Cowe, and whose "Fog on the Tyne" was the biggest selling UK album of 1971-1972. The instrument was also used extensively in the UK folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s with bands such as Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span taking it on as the lead instrument in many of their songs. Maggie May by Rod Stewart, which hit No. 1 on both the British charts and the Billboard Hot 100, also featured Jackson's playing. It has also been used by other British rock musicians. Led Zeppelin's bassist John Paul Jones is an accomplished mandolin player and has recorded numerous songs on mandolin including Going to California and That's the Way; the mandolin part on The Battle of Evermore is played by Jimmy Page, who composed the song. Other Led Zeppelin songs featuring mandolin are Hey Hey What Can I Do, and Black Country Woman. Pete Townshend of The Who played mandolin on the track Mike Post Theme, along with many other tracks on Endless Wire. McGuinness Flint, for whom Graham Lyle played the mandolin on their most successful single, When I'm Dead And Gone, is another example. Lyle was also briefly a member of Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance, and played mandolin on their hit How Come. One of the more prominent early mandolin players in popular music was Robin Williamson in The Incredible String Band. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull is a highly accomplished mandolin player (beautiful track Pussy Willow), as is his guitarist Martin Barre. The popular song Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths featured a mandolin solo played by Johnny Marr. More recently, the Glasgow-based band Sons and Daughters featured the mandolin, played by Ailidh Lennon, on tracks such as Fight, Start to End, and Medicine. British folk-punk icons the Levellers also regularly use the mandolin in their songs. Current bands are also beginning to use the Mandolin and its unique sound - such as South London's Indigo Moss who use it throughout their recordings and live gigs. The mandolin has also featured in the playing of Matthew Bellamy in the rock band Muse. It also forms the basis of Paul McCartney's 2007 hit "Dance Tonight." That was not the first time a Beatle played a mandolin, however; that distinction goes to George Harrison on Gone Troppo, the title cut from the 1982 album of the same name. The mandolin is taught in Lanarkshire by the Lanarkshire Guitar and Mandolin Association to over 100 people. Also more recently hard rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures have been playing a song based primarily using a mandolin. This song was left off their debut album, and features former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.[citation needed]
qas: answers: Simon Mayor
question: Who is a famous British player?

answers: six solo albums, instructional books and DVDs, as well as recordings with his mandolin quartet the Mandolinquents.
question: What did Simon mayer produce? 

answers: Mike Oldfield
question: Who played the mandolin on the album Tubular Bells? 

answers: "Fog on the Tyne
question: What was UK's biggest selling album? 

answers: Maggie May
question: What song by Rod Stewart used the mandolin? 

context: The mandolin's popularity in the United States was spurred by the success of a group of touring young European musicians known as the Estudiantina Figaro, or in the United States, simply the "Spanish Students." The group landed in the U.S. on January 2, 1880 in New York City, and played in Boston and New York to wildly enthusiastic crowds. Ironically, this ensemble did not play mandolins but rather bandurrias, which are also small, double-strung instruments that resemble the mandolin. The success of the Figaro Spanish Students spawned other groups who imitated their musical style and costumes. An Italian musician, Carlo Curti, hastily started a musical ensemble after seeing the Figaro Spanish Students perform; his group of Italian born Americans called themselves the "Original Spanish Students," counting on the American public to not know the difference between the Spanish bandurrias and Italian mandolins. The imitators' use of mandolins helped to generate enormous public interest in an instrument previously relatively unknown in the United States.
qas: answers: Estudiantina Figaro
question: What group in the US was popular?

answers: January 2, 1880
question: When did the Estudiantina Figaro come to the US?

answers: Boston and New York
question: Where did the Estudiantina Figaro play? 

answers: Original Spanish Students
question: What group was inspired by the Estudiantina Figaro? 

answers: the difference between the Spanish bandurrias and Italian mandolins
question: What did the Origianl Spanish Students expect the American  public not to know? 

context: Mandolin awareness in the United States blossomed in the 1880s, as the instrument became part of a fad that continued into the mid-1920s. According to Clarence L. Partee, the first mandolin made in the United States was made in 1883 or 1884 by Joseph Bohmann, who was an established maker of violins in Chicago. Partee characterized the early instrument as being larger than the European instruments he was used to, with a "peculiar shape" and "crude construction," and said that the quality improved, until American instruments were "superior" to imported instruments. At the time, Partee was using an imported French-made mandolin.
qas: answers: 1880s
question: When did madolin awareness in the US become fluent?

answers: 1883 or 1884
question: When was the first madolin made in the US?

answers: Joseph Bohm
question: Who made the first US mandolin?

answers: Chicago
question: Where was Joseph Bohmann from? 

answers: French-made mandolin
question: What type of madolin was Partee using ?

context: Instruments were marketed by teacher-dealers, much as the title character in the popular musical The Music Man. Often, these teacher-dealers conducted mandolin orchestras: groups of 4-50 musicians who played various mandolin family instruments. However, alongside the teacher-dealers were serious musicians, working to create a spot for the instrument in classical music, ragtime and jazz. Like the teacher-dealers, they traveled the U.S., recording records, giving performances and teaching individuals and mandolin orchestras. Samuel Siegel played mandolin in Vaudeville and became one of America's preeminent mandolinists. Seth Weeks was an African American who not only taught and performed in the United States, but also in Europe, where he recorded records. Another pioneering African American musician and director who made his start with a mandolin orchestra was composer James Reese Europe. W. Eugene Page toured the country with a group, and was well known for his mandolin and mandola performances. Other names include Valentine Abt, Samuel Adelstein, William Place, Jr., and Aubrey Stauffer.
qas: answers: The Music Man
question: What popular musical casted a teacher-dealer? 

answers: mandolin orchestras
question: What did these teacher-dealers often conduct? 

answers: 4-50 musicians
question: How many people were usually in these teacher-dealer orchestras? 

answers: Samuel Siegel
question: Who played the mandolin in Vaudeville? 

answers: composer James Reese Europe.
question: Who was the famous African American musican and director? 

context: The instrument was primarily used in an ensemble setting well into the 1930s, and although the fad died out at the beginning of the 1930s, the instruments that were developed for the orchestra found a new home in bluegrass. The famous Lloyd Loar Master Model from Gibson (1923) was designed to boost the flagging interest in mandolin ensembles, with little success. However, The "Loar" became the defining instrument of bluegrass music when Bill Monroe purchased F-5 S/N 73987 in a Florida barbershop in 1943 and popularized it as his main instrument.
qas: answers: ensemble setting
question: The setting the mandolin was used in until the 1930's was? 

answers: bluegrass
question: Where did the mandolins find a new home? 

answers: Lloyd Loar Master Model from Gibson
question: What mandolin was designed to boost interest in the mandolin?

answers: Loar
question: What mandolin became the face of bluegrass music?

answers: F-5 S/N 73987
question: What instrument did artist Bill Monroe use? 

context: The mandolin orchestras never completely went away, however. In fact, along with all the other musical forms the mandolin is involved with, the mandolin ensemble (groups usually arranged like the string section of a modern symphony orchestra, with first mandolins, second mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, mando-basses, and guitars, and sometimes supplemented by other instruments) continues to grow in popularity. Since the mid-nineties, several public-school mandolin-based guitar programs have blossomed around the country, including Fretworks Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, the first of its kind. The national organization, Classical Mandolin Society of America, founded by Norman Levine, represents these groups. Prominent modern mandolinists and composers for mandolin in the classical music tradition include Samuel Firstman, Howard Fry, Rudy Cipolla, Dave Apollon, Neil Gladd, Evan Marshall, Marilynn Mair and Mark Davis (the Mair-Davis Duo), Brian Israel, David Evans, Emanuil Shynkman, Radim Zenkl, David Del Tredici and Ernst Krenek.
qas: answers: mandolin-based guitar programs
question: What groups have become popular amonbgpublic schools?

answers: Fretworks Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
question: What are two of the popular public school groups? 

answers: Norman Levine
question: Who found the Classical Mandolin Society of America?

answers: Samuel Firstman, Howard Fry, Rudy Cipolla
question: Who are modern mandolinists and composers?

context: When Cowan Powers and his family recorded their old-time music from 1924-1926, his daughter Orpha Powers was one of the earliest known southern-music artists to record with the mandolin. By the 1930s, single mandolins were becoming more commonly used in southern string band music, most notably by brother duets such as the sedate Blue Sky Boys (Bill Bolick and Earl Bolick) and the more hard-driving Monroe Brothers (Bill Monroe and Charlie Monroe). However, the mandolin's modern popularity in country music can be directly traced to one man: Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music. After the Monroe Brothers broke up in 1939, Bill Monroe formed his own group, after a brief time called the Blue Grass Boys, and completed the transition of mandolin styles from a "parlor" sound typical of brother duets to the modern "bluegrass" style. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 and its powerful clear-channel broadcast signal on WSM-AM spread his style throughout the South, directly inspiring many musicians to take up the mandolin. Monroe famously played Gibson F-5 mandolin, signed and dated July 9, 1923, by Lloyd Loar, chief acoustic engineer at Gibson. The F-5 has since become the most imitated tonally and aesthetically by modern builders.
qas: answers: Cowan Powers and his family
question: What family recorded an old-time music in 1924-1926?

answers: Orpha Powers
question: Who was the earliest known southern music artist?

answers: single mandolins
question: What type of mandolin was becoming popular by 1930's? 

answers: Bill Monroe
question: Who was considered the father of Bluegrass music?

answers: Blue Grass Boys
question: What was Bill Monroe's group called? 

context: Monroe's style involved playing lead melodies in the style of a fiddler, and also a percussive chording sound referred to as "the chop" for the sound made by the quickly struck and muted strings. He also perfected a sparse, percussive blues style, especially up the neck in keys that had not been used much in country music, notably B and E. He emphasized a powerful, syncopated right hand at the expense of left-hand virtuosity. Monroe's most influential follower of the second generation is Frank Wakefield and nowadays Mike Compton of the Nashville Bluegrass Band and David Long, who often tour as a duet. Tiny Moore of the Texas Playboys developed an electric five-string mandolin and helped popularize the instrument in Western Swing music.
qas: answers: the chop
question: What chording sound was Monroe popular for?

answers: B and E
question: What keys was Monroe popular for? 

answers: Frank Wakefield
question: Who was Monroe's most influential follower?

answers: Moore of the Texas Playboys
question: Who developed a electric five-string mandolin?

answers: Western Swing music
question: What type of music did the electric five-string mandolin help popularize?

context: Other major bluegrass mandolinists who emerged in the early 1950s and are still active include Jesse McReynolds (of Jim and Jesse) who invented a syncopated banjo-roll-like style called crosspicking—and Bobby Osborne of the Osborne Brothers, who is a master of clarity and sparkling single-note runs. Highly respected and influential modern bluegrass players include Herschel Sizemore, Doyle Lawson, and the multi-genre Sam Bush, who is equally at home with old-time fiddle tunes, rock, reggae, and jazz. Ronnie McCoury of the Del McCoury Band has won numerous awards for his Monroe-influenced playing. The late John Duffey of the original Country Gentlemen and later the Seldom Scene did much to popularize the bluegrass mandolin among folk and urban audiences, especially on the east coast and in the Washington, D.C. area.
qas: answers: Jesse McReynolds
question: Who was the major bluegrass mandolinist that became popular in 1950's?

answers: Jim and Jesse
question: What grop was Jesse McReynolds a part of?

answers: crosspicking
question: What technique did Jesse McReynolds create?

answers: syncopated banjo-roll-like style
question: What is crosspicking?

answers: Ronnie McCoury
question: Who won several award for his Monroe influenced music? 

context: Jethro Burns, best known as half of the comedy duo Homer and Jethro, was also the first important jazz mandolinist. Tiny Moore popularized the mandolin in Western swing music. He initially played an 8-string Gibson but switched after 1952 to a 5-string solidbody electric instrument built by Paul Bigsby. Modern players David Grisman, Sam Bush, and Mike Marshall, among others, have worked since the early 1970s to demonstrate the mandolin's versatility for all styles of music. Chris Thile of California is a well-known player, and has accomplished many feats of traditional bluegrass, classical, contemporary pop and rock; the band Nickel Creek featured his playing in its blend of traditional and pop styles, and he now plays in his band Punch Brothers. Most commonly associated with bluegrass, mandolin has been used a lot in country music over the years. Some well-known players include Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, and Ricky Skaggs.
qas: answers: half of the comedy duo Homer and Jethro
question: What is Jethro Burns commonly known for?

answers: jazz mandolinist
question: What type of music did Jethro Burns play? 

answers: Tiny Moore
question: Who popularized the mandolin in Western Swing Music?

answers: Chris Thile of California is
question: Who was well known for important works of traditional blugrass?

answers: Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, and Ricky Skaggs
question: Who are othe rwell know players? 

context: Mandolin has also been used in blues music, most notably by Ry Cooder, who performed outstanding covers on his very first recordings, Yank Rachell, Johnny "Man" Young, Carl Martin, and Gerry Hundt. Howard Armstrong, who is famous for blues violin, got his start with his father's mandolin and played in string bands similar to the other Tennessee string bands he came into contact with, with band makeup including "mandolins and fiddles and guitars and banjos. And once in a while they would ease a little ukulele in there and a bass fiddle." Other blues players from the era's string bands include Willie Black (Whistler And His Jug Band), Dink Brister, Jim Hill, Charles Johnson, Coley Jones (Dallas String Band), Bobby Leecan (Need More Band), Alfred Martin, Charlie McCoy (1909-1950), Al Miller, Matthew Prater, and Herb Quinn.
qas: answers: Howard Armstrong,
question: Who got his start with his father's mandolin? 

answers: Ry Cooder
question: Who is the most popular blue music mandolinist?

answers: ukulele in there and a bass fiddle
question: What other instrument did the Tennessee string bands use? 

answers: Willie Black
question: Who played in the Whistler and His Jug Band? 

context: The mandolin has been used occasionally in rock music, first appearing in the psychedelic era of the late 1960s. Levon Helm of The Band occasionally moved from his drum kit to play mandolin, most notably on Rag Mama Rag, Rockin' Chair, and Evangeline. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull played mandolin on Fat Man, from their second album, Stand Up, and also occasionally on later releases. Rod Stewart's 1971 No. 1 hit Maggie May features a significant mandolin riff. David Grisman played mandolin on two Grateful Dead songs on the American Beauty album, Friend of the Devil and Ripple, which became instant favorites among amateur pickers at jam sessions and campground gatherings. John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page both played mandolin on Led Zeppelin songs. The popular alt rock group Imagine Dragons feature the mandolin on a few of their songs, most prominently being It's Time. Dash Crofts of the soft rock duo Seals and Crofts extensively used mandolin in their repertoire during the 1970s. Styx released the song Boat on the River in 1980, which featured Tommy Shaw on vocals and mandolin. The song didn't chart in the United States but was popular in much of Europe and the Philippines.
qas: answers: psychedelic era of the late 1960s
question: When did the mandolin first appear in rock music?

answers: Levon Helm
question: Who played the drums and the mandolin in the group called The Band?

answers: Maggie May
question: What Rod Stewart song in 1971 featured the mandolin?

answers: David Grisman
question: What artist from the Greatful Dead played the mandolin?

answers: Boat on the River
question: Tommy Shaw sang and played the mandolin in which Styx song?

context: Some rock musicians today use mandolins, often single-stringed electric models rather than double-stringed acoustic mandolins. One example is Tim Brennan of the Irish-American punk rock band Dropkick Murphys. In addition to electric guitar, bass, and drums, the band uses several instruments associated with traditional Celtic music, including mandolin, tin whistle, and Great Highland bagpipes. The band explains that these instruments accentuate the growling sound they favor. The 1991 R.E.M. hit "Losing My Religion" was driven by a few simple mandolin licks played by guitarist Peter Buck, who also played the mandolin in nearly a dozen other songs. The single peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (#1 on the rock and alternative charts), Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars and The Black Crowes has made frequent use of the mandolin, most notably on the Black Crowes song "Locust Street." Armenian American rock group System of A Down makes extensive use of the mandolin on their 2005 double album Mezmerize/Hypnotize. Pop punk band Green Day has used a mandolin in several occasions, especially on their 2000 album, Warning. Boyd Tinsley, violin player of the Dave Matthews Band has been using an electric mandolin since 2005. Frontman Colin Meloy and guitarist Chris Funk of The Decemberists regularly employ the mandolin in the band's music. Nancy Wilson, rhythm guitarist of Heart, uses a mandolin in Heart's song "Dream of the Archer" from the album Little Queen, as well as in Heart's cover of Led Zeppelin's song "The Battle of Evermore." "Show Me Heaven" by Maria McKee, the theme song to the film Days of Thunder, prominently features a mandolin.
qas: answers: single-stringed electric
question: What type of mandolin do rock musicians today use? 

answers: Dropkick Murphys
question: Which Irish-American punk band uses Mandolins?

answers: Losing My Religion
question: What REM song uses simple mandolin licks?

answers: System of A Down
question: What American rock band has extensive use of mandolins? 

answers: Days of Thunder
question: What film's theme song uses a mandolin?

context: As in Brazil, the mandolin has played an important role in the Music of Venezuela. It has enjoyed a privileged position as the main melodic instrument in several different regions of the country. Specifically, the eastern states of Sucre, Nueva Esparta, Anzoategui and Monagas have made the mandolin the main instrument in their versions of Joropo as well as Puntos, Jotas, Polos, Fulias, Merengues and Malagueñas. Also, in the west of the country the sound of the mandolin is intrinsically associated with the regional genres of the Venezuelan Andes: Bambucos, Pasillos, Pasodobles, and Waltzes. In the western city of Maracaibo the Mandolin has been played in Decimas, Danzas and Contradanzas Zulianas; in the capital, Caracas, the Merengue Rucaneao, Pasodobles and Waltzes have also been played with mandolin for almost a century. Today, Venezuelan mandolists include an important group of virtuoso players and ensembles such as Alberto Valderrama, Jesus Rengel, Ricardo Sandoval, Saul Vera, and Cristobal Soto.
qas: answers: Venezuela
question: What place in Brazil do mandolins play an important role?  

answers: regional genres of the Venezuelan Andes
question: What is the sound of mandolin associated with in the west country? 

answers: Alberto Valderrama, Jesus Rengel, Ricardo Sandoval, Saul Vera, and Cristobal Soto.
question: Who are the famous Venezuelen mandolinist? 

context: To fill this gap in the literature, mandolin orchestras have traditionally played many arrangements of music written for regular orchestras or other ensembles. Some players have sought out contemporary composers to solicit new works. Traditional mandolin orchestras remain especially popular in Japan and Germany, but also exist throughout the United States, Europe and the rest of the world. They perform works composed for mandolin family instruments, or re-orchestrations of traditional pieces. The structure of a contemporary traditional mandolin orchestra consists of: first and second mandolins, mandolas (either octave mandolas, tuned an octave below the mandolin, or tenor mandolas, tuned like the viola), mandocellos (tuned like the cello), and bass instruments (conventional string bass or, rarely, mandobasses). Smaller ensembles, such as quartets composed of two mandolins, mandola, and mandocello, may also be found.
qas: answers: mandolin orchestras have traditionally played many arrangements of music written for regular orchestras or other ensembles
question: What type of music has mandolins played? 

answers: Japan and Germany
question: Where do traditional mandolin orchestras remain popular? 

answers: first and second mandolins,
question: What do the structure of a contempory traditional orchestra consist of?

answers: two mandolins, mandola, and mandocello,
question: What are smalled ensambles composed of? 

answers: cello
question: What are the mandocellos usually tuned like?