mandolin
what it is
Mandolins have a long history, and much early music was written for them. In the first half of the 20th century, they enjoyed a period of great popularity in Europe and the Americas as an easier approach to playing string music. Many professional and amateur mandolin groups and orchestras were formed to play light classical string repertory.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make mandolin a playlist
turn these 17 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is mandolin?
Mandolins have a long history, and much early music was written for them. In the first half of the 20th century, they enjoyed a period of great popularity in Europe and the Americas as an easier approach to playing string music. Many professional and amateur mandolin groups and orchestras were formed to play light classical string repertory.
What are good mandolin albums to start with?
Try Manzanita by The Tony Rice Unit, Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol. 1 by Chris Thile, Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit by Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Almost Acoustic by Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band.
Who are some women making mandolin?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/mandolin/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making mandolin, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21