Which is best a Mandolin or Lute?

Question

I've been wanting to buy one of these forever and finally have the money, but I can't decide between the Mandolin or Lute? I've searched on the Net for Info but it doesn't really show any differences between the two. The music I'd like to play would be Classical/Celtic/Folk/Jazz. I was wondering if anyone knew what the major differences between a Mandolin (A-Style with oval holes or F holes) and a Lute?

Answer 1

try to find wav files online of the sounds they make -- i think they sound quite different. personally, i like the lute better -- especially if you want to go for a Celtic feel, or new-agey.



there really is no "best" when it comes to stuff like this. perhaps try looking up a major music store on line and see if they list more info in catelogs. after all, they'll be trying to reel in a buyer, so they'll put as much info on there as they can.

Answer 2

For the kind of music you want to play, you want a lute. A mandolin is more commonly used for country, old-time music, bluegrass and folk music. A lute is similar to a middle-eastern oud, while a mandolin is descended from the mandora, or a bass lute. I think the major difference is that the lute typically has a chanterelle, the highest-pitched course or single string. In some lutes, the 2 upper courses are single.



An 8-course lute will usually have 15 strings, and a 13-course Baroque lute will have 24, while a mandolin typically has 4 courses (8 strings), though they also come in other variants.

Answer 3

Mandolin Or Lute

Answer 4

I don't know about a lute, but I bought a mandolin and absolutely love playing it. I bought an instructional video by Chris Thile of Nickle Creek fame and it is excellent. He seems to have an excellent classical style but he applies it to bluegrass/folk and it is some pretty awesome stuff. I had been playing guitar and some of what I learned about playing the mandolin was easily applied to the guitar as well. I'm referring to cross-picking. I do alot of home studio recording and I love layering mandolin with piano music.



So, I say get a mandolin! Mine is a black f-hole style Morgan Monroe. It's really been a joy.

Answer 5

The mandolin because it is used a lot more in music and sounds very cool.

Answer 6

lute

Answer 7

mandolin