Peghead Nation’s Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor Ian Coury is a leading Brazilian mandolin player. Like many contemporary choro mandolinists, Ian primarily plays a ten-string bandolim, in his case one built by Brazilian luthier Pedro Santos (but in his Peghead course, all of Ian’s arrangements can be played on a standard eight-string mandolin).
In this video, Ian compares the tonality of eight-string and ten-string mandolins, discusses the musical contexts each are used in, and talks about the history of the modern mandolin in Brazilian music, beginning with Jacob do Bandolim (1918–1969) and continuing with contemporary virtuosos such as Armandinho Macêdo and Hamilton de Holanda.
To learn mandolin from Ian Coury, enroll in his Brazilian Choro Mandolin course!
![]() |
Pedro Santos Ten-String BandolimPeghead Nation’s Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor Ian Coury demonstrates his main instrument and talks about the history of the mandolin in Brazilian music. Read More |
![]() |
Flynn Cohen’s Mandolin SetupPeghead Nation instructor demonstrates the Northfield F5S and other gear that he uses on tour. Read More |
![]() |
Artist Series “4th Generation” F5 | Northfield MandolinsDan Bui demonstrates a Lloyd Loar-style F5 from Northfield Mandolins at the Music Emporium. Read More |
![]() |
Apitius YorkvilleAaron Weinstein demonstrates his new jazz mandolin. Read More |
![]() |
1910s Gibson H-1Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his vintage mandola, which he set up with an old DeArmond pickup for playing electric. Read More |
![]() |
Collings MT2 Quilted Maple MandolinA great A-style mandolin built with premium woods. Read More |
![]() |
Pava A5 Pro MandolinA-Style mandolin built in Austin, Texas. Read More |
![]() |
Kentucky KM-505 Artist A-Model MandolinA great value in an A-style mandolin from Saga Music, with solid woods and vintage-style appointments. Read More |
![]() |
Godin A8 MandolinAcoustic-electric mandolin offers great tone at any volume. Read More |
![]() |
2007 Collings MT2 MandolinPeghead Nation's Dan Gabel demos his 2007 Collings mandolin Read More |