The mandolin’s range in notes and hertz
The bottom is the open G course. The top depends on the fret count, which varies by maker; mandolin parts read in treble clef at pitch, like violin music.
Written and sounding pitch
The mandolin reads at concert pitch in treble clef: a written note sounds as written, so the range above is both the sound and the page.
Instruments with a similar range
The instruments whose normal range shares the most notes with the mandolin’s:
- Violin · G3–E7 44 notes shared
- Viola · C3–D7 44 notes shared
- Piano · A0–C8 44 notes shared
- E♭ clarinet · G3–C7 42 notes shared
- Marimba · C2–C7 42 notes shared
- Cello · C2–A6 39 notes shared
Tune it, play it
- Mandolin tuner — tune by microphone, with the mandolin’s own target notes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of a mandolin?
The mandolin’s full range runs from G3 to D7 — 196.00 to 2349.3 Hz, about 3.6 octaves.
What is the lowest note on a mandolin?
G3 (196.00 Hz).
What is the highest note on a mandolin?
D7 (2349.3 Hz).