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 Bandolim Peghead 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

Eight Mandolin Picks Joe K. Walsh demonstrates eight of his favorite picks, including picks from Apollo, Bluebird, BlueChip, D’Andrea, and Wegen. Read More

Shubb Fine Tune Capo on Octave Mandolin Joe K. Walsh demonstrates using Shubb’s yoke-style capo on a Northfield octave mandolin. Read More

Flynn Cohen’s Mandolin Setup Peghead Nation instructor demonstrates the Northfield F5S and other gear that he uses on tour. Read More

Artist Series “4th Generation” F5 | Northfield Mandolins Dan Bui demonstrates a Lloyd Loar-style F5 from Northfield Mandolins at the Music Emporium. Read More

Apitius Yorkville Aaron Weinstein demonstrates his new jazz mandolin. Read More

1910s Gibson H-1 Joe K. Walsh demonstrates his vintage mandola, which he set up with an old DeArmond pickup for playing electric. Read More

Collings MT2 Quilted Maple Mandolin A great A-style mandolin built with premium woods. Read More

Pava A5 Pro Mandolin A-Style mandolin built in Austin, Texas. Read More

Kentucky KM-505 Artist A-Model Mandolin A great value in an A-style mandolin from Saga Music, with solid woods and vintage-style appointments. Read More