Much of mandolin development revolved around the soundboard (the top). Pre-mandolin instruments were quiet instruments, strung with as many as six courses of gut strings, and were plucked with the fingers or with a quill. However, modern instruments are louder—using four courses of metal strings, which exert more pressure than the gut strings. The modern soundboard is designed to withstand the pressure of metal strings that would break earlier instruments. The soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. There is usually one or more sound holes in the soundboard, either round, oval, or shaped like a calligraphic F (f-hole). A round or oval sound hole may be covered or bordered with decorative rosettes or purfling. COUNT 5
QSN1 What did most of the development of the mandolin revolve around? ANS1 soundboard (the top) QSN2 Were premandolins quiet or loud instruments?  ANS2 quiet instruments QSN3 What are modern mandolins' strings made of?  ANS3 four courses of metal strings, QSN4 What is the most common soundboard shape? ANS4 generally round or teardrop-shaped QSN5 What are the sound holes covered with?  ANS5 bordered with decorative rosettes or purfling