The special shape of the instruments head combined with the technique of so called Pin-Capos opens a variety of different tunings. - Really a big challenge for it's player!

An invention of swedish luthiers (Christer Aadin and ?) made it possible to construct an instrument wich combines open tunings and traditional ones in one: A Pin Capo System opens a range of varieties in tunings. Special screws and holes in the keyboard give the player of the skandola several options to "tune" the instrument.

Traditional Madolas and Bouzoukis usually are tuned in quints. So the skandola is in its "zero fret". But the special construction of its head

make it possible to put a pin capo at the lowest string down to C and in each halftone up to F in the zero-fret. The chart above shows all possibilities of tunings by pin capos. The two highest strings can be tuned in C and G (open) up to F and C.

Usually I play the skandola in the keys G, C (open) D and sometimes in A. I think it will take a while to be familiar with all its options. This is hard work! But its great! I would miss it!