Is a 4-string mando for young children...a thing? Maybe with nylon strings?
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Is a 4-string mando for young children...a thing? Maybe with nylon strings?
Yes, ukuleles DO exist.
There's also this:
http://www.redvalleymandolins.com/mandolin-amw-nylon
Might be a little pricey to trust to a small child though. You could always get a soprano ukulele and put fifths tuning strings on (GDAE like a mandolin). A ukulele neck is quite different from a mandolin neck though, much wider.
Uke with special strings on it - so you can tune it GDAE - is an option. Elderly Instruments used to carry the strings, probably still do.
There was a mandolin called a KidMo that I've heard about - made a few years ago. Not sure if you can find one.
Backpacker or mini mandolin could be an option.
Or buy an inexpensive mandolin and only put 4 strings on it. Worked for a young Bill Monroe...
Good luck! and good for you for getting a young child into music!
Kirk
I forgot about this one too:
https://www.magicfluke.com/Mandolin-p/flea-mandolin.htm
It's got a plastic neck, back and sides so it's super durable and a small ukulele body. Seems great for a kid. Steel strings though.
That's what I was thinking...I just can't believe nobody makes one.Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltman
My thinking is that not only would the single strings vs courses be easier to learn on...but the neck shape/size is much closer to a fiddle as well. And since they're normally tuned the same...it might be a good primer to beat on for a child that's too young for a fiddle. And since you could then play it both plectrum and fingerstyle...it might be the archetypal "first instrument".
Thank you for that recommendation! They DO actually make one. The body is a little large...but at least someone makes one. Unfortunately, the price is stout...Quote:
Originally Posted by milli857
You can get a uke for under $30 that would be fine for that purpose. Then get strings to tune to mandolin tuning. There is little need for a separately made instrument. The Fluke costs $515. Much cheaper to get a uke, etc.
For soprano uke, Aquila AQ-30. For Concert/Tenor, Aquila AQ-31.Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltman
Quote:
Originally Posted by milli857
Are his mandolins flat top like Big Muddy, or arch top like, well, mandolins.
Flat top. I played a couple at Dusty Strings in Seattle and they were lovely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan in NH
How young?