They are sometimes used interchangeably. Irish bouzoukis are most often tuned GDAD, but can be tuned GDAE the same as an octave mandolin. They are usually a longer scale length than an octave mandolin. The 'correct' classification for bouzoukis / octave mandolins / citterns is an ongoing discussion!
@@aarondcruz2458 Thanks. I'm also curious, as a guitar player I'm keen to get into the dimension of octave m or bouzouki and poised to purchase the latter instrument. Is there much difference between the sound of these two instruments, do they both capo WELL for vocals, single notes etc? Flexibility of key change would be an essential consideration for me, over say a mandola/mandolin.
@@maxwellfan55 I'd say bouzouki is the norm for accompaniment, both instrumental tunes and songs, the higher tension and the tuning lends itself to that. They are regularly capoed wherever is conveninent due to the long scale length (see Daoiri Farrell and Jon's performance here for example), so key shouldn't be an issue. If you're intending to flatpick fiddle tunes etc in the original key like a tenor banjo the scale length is probably a bit too long to be comfortable. I'm also a guitar player, I have a tenor guitar (GDAE) to explore a bit of the bouzouki/OM repertoire but I'm intending to transition to bouzouki at some point...
@@aarondcruz2458 Thanks very much. I tried the bouzouki but found the long, unbalanced body shape less pleasing to play. Also, how the capo dulls the sound further up the frets. So, uncertain at present. I may settle for a smaller instrument rather than compromise. Actually I've recently been having a LOT of fun with mandolin and dulcimers, noting and J Mitchell style tunings. Cheers again for info.
I grew up in the US, but my ancestors came from the lands of Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the 1700 and 1800 hundreds. There's something about the wonderful music from these lands that grabs my spirit.. maybe it's in the DNA. Thank you so much for sharing this!!
I have theory that the tone, timing and cadence are what we find familiar, particularly a drone. Listen to Nepali folk musicians who play the sarangi. It’s not a great leap to compare the sound to West African banjos, lilting Irish fiddles, Scottish or even Arabic bagpipes or the Appalachian dulcimer. It’s literally music to our developed ears over the millennia.
So so so beautiful ❤️ song Where could I get this instrument? Where could I find this instrument? How can I get this instrument? In our country we never get this instrument.