The Mandolin is a plucked string musical instrument in the Lute family. It originated in Italy, towards the end of the Renaissance. It descended from the Mandola, which is a part of the Mandolin family, just like the Mandocello and the Mandobass (Mandolone). The Mandolin is high pitched, while the Mandobass has lowest range in the Mandolin family. There are also three lesser-known types of Mandolin: the Mandolin-banjo, the A-style and the F-style. The Mandolin-banjo developed when the Mandolin became known in North America in the early 19th century, where it was adapted to the local musical needs and subsequently became flat (like the Banjo) and its sound begun to resemble that of the Banjo. The A-style, which is also flat, took its name from the shape of its sound box. The F-style resembles the violin, in terms of shape, as it has the same f-shaped soundholes. The classic Mandolin, the most widely known model, typically has eight metal strings, tuned in pairs, and is played with a plectrum.