Mandolino

As Printed on a Score

Labels the mandolin staff (Mandolino; Mand. later), a single treble-clef staff at sounding pitch. Sustained notes appear as tremolo slashes through the stem, meaning the player’s rapid plectrum strokes, and trem. may be written over long notes.

Abbreviations: Mand.

Also spelled: Mandolina, Mandolin, Mandoline

How Composers Use It

Tuned like the violin (G D A E) in paired strings and played with a plectrum, the mandolin has a bright, dry pluck that dies quickly, so long notes are sustained by tremolo. Mozart gave it the serenade “Deh vieni alla finestra” in Don Giovanni, Verdi used mandolins in Otello, and Mahler wrote it into his Seventh Symphony and Das Lied von der Erde. It is soft: pair it with thin accompaniment and keep it out of loud tuttis.

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