Mandolin vs. Lute: A Detailed Comparison

When you see a mandolin and a lute, it might be hard for some to tell which is which, but there are plenty of differences between these two ancient instruments. So, what are the differences between a mandolin and a lute?

The mandolin and the lute are plucked string instruments, but the lute is far larger. The mandolin will always have 8 strings, while a lute will have between 6 and 24 strings. Both of these instruments make very different sounds, and musicians tend to prefer the sound of one or another.

Now you know a bit about the differences between the two instruments, but how much do these differences affect the sound? Continue reading to learn more about the differences between the two instruments.

5 Differences Between Lutes and Mandolins

1. Size & Construction

Mandolins have a hollow wooden body shaped like a pear or egg, a flat fretted fingerboard, a nut & floating bridge, a tailpiece or pin block at the edge of the face where the strings are attached, and mechanical tuning machines. The mandolin is smaller than the lute at 14 inches, with a body width of 10 1/8 inches, and an overall length of 27 1/4 inches.

The mandolin and lute often look similar because the mandolin is a distant descendant of a small lute.

The lute is typically made of wood. However, plenty nowadays are partially or fully plastic. And just like the mandolin, the lute has an egg or pear-shaped body. But the lute does have a unique bent L-shaped neck. The reason for this L-shaped neck is to place extra tension on the strings and to keep the lute in tune.

This neck also has backward-facing tuning pegs. The soundboard of the lute is typically ovular, however, some lutes have a triangular soundboard. There is no standard size for lutes, as the size is determined by the number of strings the specific lute has.

2. Strings

A mandolin is very interesting regarding its strings, as there are 4 pairs of strings, giving it 8 strings. These strings are typically metal wrapped in bronze, which gives them a metallic sound.

The lute is very unique when it comes to its strings, as it can have anywhere from 6 to 24 strings. There are 3 types of lutes, all with a different number of strings.

Other lute types have differing strings.

The Renaissance lute is a traditional lute with 6 strings. However, on the top solo string, there are an additional 5 strings. This means this type of lute has 11 strings.

The Baroque style of lute typically has more strings than the Renaissance lute. However, the upper solo sections only have one string.

The medieval lute is the most similar to the mandolin as it has 5 pairs of strings, meaning that it has 10 strings.

There are variations of these types of lutes that result in them having more strings, however, these lutes aren’t nearly as common. The lute strings are typically made from animal gut or nylon and are plated with a metal like silver.

3. Play Style

A mandolin can be played through various methods, with the traditional way being plucking, strumming, or sustained tremolo. However, many people are starting to use guitar picks to help make playing the mandolin a bit easier.

People are not playing the lute with the same tools they use to play the mandolin. Bards traditionally would play the lute with a guitar pick (known as a plectrum back then). However, as the instrument gains more popularity, more people are beginning to play the instrument by strumming it like a guitar. This is because modern lutes have low-tension stings, making it easier to play with your hand than with a guitar pick.

4. Sound

The mandolin and the lute produce very different sounds, which will affect which one you will want to play.

Mandolins produce a bright, punchy tone that can stand out regardless of the music they are a part of. Because of this, mandolins are often used to play old-time country, bluegrass, and folk music. This punchy tone comes from the pick plucking the strings, creating a sharp sound.

The lute has a much more soothing and hypnotizing sound that is most often used to back up other instruments in music like classical, new age, and Celtic music. The soft, soothing tone comes from the strumming of the strings and is often described as warm and soothing.

5. Tuning

One of the reasons why the two instruments produce such different tones is because of the way they are tuned.

Mandolin

Mandolins are typically tuned in fifths, which helps give them their signature open and bright sound. However, the mandolin is tuned like a guitar and to a violent pitch of G-D-A-E. Tune the mandolin will be extremely easy for those who play guitars.

Lute

Because of its strings, the lute is more complex to tune than the mandolin, which is tuned in a mix of fifths and fourths. The type of tuning you use will also depend on your lute. However, it will typically be tuned to G-C-F-A-D’-go. The lute is also well known for being difficult to keep in tune.

Lute vs. Mandoline: Which One is Easier to Play?

Most people say that the mandolin is easier to play than the lute. This is because the mandolin is easier to hold, play, and keep in tune than the lute.

Along with this, the lute is difficult to play, as the body has to be held in a certain way, and you have to put just the right amount of pressure on the strings as you strum them to play the notes correctly.

Overall, mandolins and lutes may look somewhat similar, but they are quite different. If you are still not sure which one you want to play, test each of these instruments out while at a music store. You can also talk to a music store associate and help them determine which instrument will be best for you.