The Mandolin is a fretted instrument resembling a small lute with eight strings tuned in pairs to E A D G like the violin. The strings are plucked with a plectrum, sometimes in rapid succession to produce the tremolo often associated with Italian romantic music. The mandolin family consists of the Mandolin, Mandola, Octave Mandolin, Mando Cello and Mando Bass.

Played as a solo instrument often accompanied by guitar or piano the mandolin is capable of great range and variety of tone and expression. The great virtuosi players of the late 19th early 20th Century held huge audiences captivated and awe inspired by their technique, dexterity and passion. Some of these players like Mario de Pietro were recorded on wax at 78 RPM providing a spell binding heritage for all future players.

Music for the mandolin is plentiful and varied ranging in styles covering Classical, Bluegrass, Folk, Gypsy and Choro. The instrument has attracted great composers like Beethoven, Hummel, Mozart and Vivaldi and there are now more compositions being written than ever before for solo, ensemble and orchestra . After the golden years of the early 1900s mandolin orchestras are becoming popular again and standards of musicianship are rising.

The British Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Federation is working both nationally and internationally to raise awareness and encourage young players, composers, arrangers and teachers to explore the rich musical heritage and future directions for the mandolin.