Mandolin anatomy and tuning

The Mandolin and it's parts

• Headstock-holds the tuning gears which anchor one end of the strings.  The other end of the strings, which have a loop, are anchored to the tailpiece.
• Tuners-tighten or loosen string tension to raise or lower the pitch of the strings.
• Nut-sits between the headstock and the end of the fingerboard and is slightly slotted so the strings don't go anywhere.
• Bottom coarse string- the "G" is has the deepest sound and is a larger string compared to the other strings
• Top coarse string- the "E" is the opposite of the "G" it has the lightest sound and is the thinnest string.
• Fretboard-this is where your fingers press the strings over the gaps between two or more frets that make different notes and chords.
• 12th fret- is where the harmonics of your open strings are located.
• Sound hole/F-hole- is where most of the resonance of the vibrations of the wood come out.
• Bridge-strings rest on the bridge, which conducts their vibration to the resonant top of the mandolin.
• Soundboard- is the main vibrating element of the mandolin located on the top of the instrument.
• Tailpiece-is where the loop of the strings not attached at the head stock are anchored.  Strings often rattle or buzz here.

Tuning the Mandolin

The skill of tuning a mandolin is something that is perfected over time.  The basic concept is that you are matching the pitch of the string as a point of reference.  This sound can be a number of different things such as a piano or a tuning fork.  Loosening a string at the tuners of the mandolin lower the pitch, while tightening raises it's pitch.

The Mandolin is an 8 stringed instrument that has 2 "E" strings, "A" strings, "D" strings, "G" strings so it needs to be in tune otherwise it would sound ......well really bad.  Start off with you 1st "E" string and tune it then match the 2nd "E" string with the first.  keep repeating this same process with the "A","D", and "G" strings until all have been tuned properly, and enjoy this new skill you have learned and continue to play your instrument.