Mandolins!

I have recently taken up a new interest (shocking I know): mandolins. I love musical instruments. I have played the violin for about 11 years and the piano for more. Not long ago, I dabbled in guitar playing and quite enjoyed myself. My mom, also a fan of musical instruments (probably of delicious flavor, too), purchased a mandolin. So when I went home last weekend, I couldn't help but sneak it off to my room to experiment.

I admit I have never loved the heavy-twang, back-country blue grass. This is what I pictured when I thought of mandolins. I was under the impression that they sounded very much like a banjo. NOT SO! If you were to mix a violin and a guitar, the mandolin would be the final product. It is tuned just like a violin, but it has frets like the guitar. It technically has 8 strings, but they are tuned in pairs. It was love at first strum! Even though my playing skills aren't even mediocre, the mandolin has quite a lovely sound. Now all I have to do is figure out how to become awesome at it, without actually having one to practice on (they are pricey little buggers)!