How Do You Tune An Octave Mandolin?
An octave mandolin is a member of the string family. It is larger than the regular mandolin and the mandola, but smaller than the mandocello. This instrument, like the others in the mandolin division, is played with a pick and is popular in folk music and American bluegrass music. The octave mandolin’s four pairs of strings are tuned in fifths, which is the same manner as a standard mandolin with the exception that the octave mandolin’s strings are one octave lower. Play a high E on a piano or other instrument that you know is in tune. Pluck the first string of the octave mandolin and listen to see if it’s lower or higher than the E you played. Turn the first tuning key to tighten or loosen the first string on the octave mandolin. If strung correctly, you should be able to turn the key counter clockwise to tighten and counter-clockwise to loosen. Tighten the string if the pitch is too low and you need to raise it. Loosen the string if the pitch is too high and you need to lower it. Con
