As the name suggests, the Mandola is related to the Mandolin, like the Viola to the Violin.
The relations in size and tuning definitely are the same as in the violin family. The Mandola originates from the Lute and has seen several changes of name and construction. Nowa-
days the Mandola is not as popular as the Mandolin; it is mainly played in folk music like Irish folk. It is tuned a fifth lower than the Mandolin, usually in C-G-D-A. Like the guitar the
Mandola can be acoustic and electric.