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Mandocello
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The mandocello (sometimes spelled mandacello) is a musical instrument of the mandolin family.
It is similar in general appearance to a mandolin, but is much larger, usually having a scale length of about 25 inches (65 cm), which is similar to that of a guitar. The mandocello has four courses of strings, tuned C'/C G/G d/d a/a, where the a is a minor third below middle C. Because of the heavy gauge of the lowest course, it is common for mandocello players to remove one of the strings of the "C" course to prevent rattling which can occur while playing from contact between the two thick strings. The mandocello is played with a plectrum and is fretted, typically having 23 frets and the pear-shaped body usually allows easy access to the 20th fret, giving the mandocello a range from two octaves below middle C to the F an octave above middle C.
The mandocello is chiefly used in mandolin orchestras and, in modern times, in small mandolin quartets, where it can provide both a rich melodic and a bass role. It is occasionally used in modern folk music, though its lower range means it does not produce as bright or as twangy a sound as the mandolin or mandola.
One of the most highly respected players of mandocello in America is Stanley Greenthal a specialist in the music of Brittany and an instructor at Zouk Fest. Steve Knightley of the English folk-rock band Show of Hands is also well-known for playing it.
Rick Nielsen of the band Cheap Trick has a guitar collection that includes electric mandocellos custom made by Hamer Guitars. These were used in the song Mandocello, released on the band's eponymous album. This song was later covered by Concrete Blonde and released on their album Still in Hollywood.
Richie Sambora, lead guitarist with American band Bon Jovi used a mandocello on the song Lay Your Hands on Me on the band's album of acousticly reworked songs, This Left Feels Right.
The instrument is also, though rarely, referred to as a mandolincello or mandoloncello.
- Richards, Tobe A. (2006). The Mandocello Chord Bible: CGDA Standard Tuning 1,728 Chords. United Kingdom: Cabot Books. ISBN 0955394430. — A comprehensive instructional guide.
- Loesberg, John (1989). Chords for Mandolin, Irish Banjo, Bouzouki, Tenor Mandola, Mandocello. Rep. of Ireland: Random House. ISBN 0-946005-47-8. — A chord book featuring 20 pages of popular chords.