Re: Bluegrass Mandola
Some bands use mandola on specific tunes; I've seen Del McCoury's band add one for a particular piece, then go back to mandolin for most of their repertoire.
Banjo, mandolin and bass is an interesting lineup, though I'm not sure where the rhythm comes in. It's true that whichever instrument, mandolin or banjo, is taking the lead, the other will be chording in a similar tonal range. No guitar, which is the typical "tenor" instrumental voice in bluegrass, either as rhythm or lead.
You might want to experiment and see if that gives you the sound you want. I've almost never heard a guitar-less bluegrass trio, but no reason it couldn't work.
Allen Hopkins
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