What is a mandolin?

Thanks to Sid Griffin of the Coal Porters band (UK) for this link to a brief YouTube video explaining what a mandolin is, and what bluegrass is, and how the two are connected.

If you play bluegrass on the mandolin, and have sometimes wondered what this instrument is, and what this music is, wonder no more. The more you already know about both, the more you're likely to enjoy the video.

Sid is also co-author of Bluegrass guitar: know the players, play the music, which can be warmly recommended.