The mandola is a stringed instrument that has a round shaped body, has eight strings and is played with a pick. There are quite a few similarities between the mandola and the guitar. In fact, the mandola looks like a teardrop-shaped guitar. It can also be acoustic or electric, just like the guitar. It is an instrument that has often found its place in folk music and Irish music, though it has also been used in many other music genres. The mandola is played just like a guitar; it is either strummed or plucked with a pick and the strings are laid over a bridge so that the strings can vibrate freely.

Though the mandola was originally acoustic, musicians do have the option of having an electric mandola made. Electric mandolas will sometimes be preferred because they will fit in with the other electric instruments that they will be played with, though acoustic mandolas still remain the more popular out of the two. In the past, the construction of mandolas was fairly basic and plain. Today, mandolas are more decorative and those who make mandolas have become more creative in their design, so musicians who are looking for something a little more unique, and are not concerned about paying a little extra, can purchase a mandola that will stand out.

Students who are looking to join a band in school and have an interest in learning how to play the mandola might be out of luck. Most public schools are fairly basic with the instruments they have to offer, due to cost restrictions and time limitations; however, anyone who is interested in learning the instrument may need some luck in finding someone who could teach them how to play outside of school.

One can have a mandola specially made, but it is often recommended that one buy a used mandola from someone else or out of a used music store. Not only will they be easier to find, but they are less expensive, while mandolas that are bought new can be quite expensive.

Learning how to play the instrument is not too difficult, especially for someone who has had previous experience with guitar playing. The basics are more or less the same, though it could take some time to get used to playing the mandola as well as to learn how to read the sheet music properly. People starting from scratch will take a little longer, but not much longer, if they take the time to practice. Playing the mandola can be great for anyone looking for an instrument they can play for a hobby.

While there are many musicians who perform with the mandola, it can be the perfect instrument to learn for personal enjoyment as well as for the enjoyment of one's family and friends. Some people will shy away from it because they don't think that it can be used for any other use than as a hobby, but it still has a place in many music genres today.