Bandurria

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The bandurria is a plucked short-necked lute that is common in Spain , especially in the southern regions of the country. It has similarities with the cister and the mandolin .

Origin and Distribution

The name bandurria dates back to the 14th century and is derived from tanbur , which is used to describe oriental long-necked lutes . But only since the 18th century have there been more precise descriptions that show that the instrument has hardly changed. The original bandurria from the Middle Ages had three strings and no frets. In the Middle Ages the number of strings increased to four and during the Baroque to ten strings (five double-choir strings).

Both regression and variations of the bandurria can be found in the Philippines . In Cuba , the bandurria is played to accompany folk songs. It can also be found in large parts of central and northeastern Guatemala as well as in the Andes of Colombia and Chile .

Design and style of play

Bandurria

Today's bandurria is strung with 12 strings (six double-choir strings) and has 12 to 14 wire frets. The small body has relatively wide sides (approx. 7.5 cm) and its length is 55 to 58 cm.

The string pairs are continuously tuned in unison with a fourth spacing. Compared to the standard guitar , the bottom four strings are a major third and the top two strings are a fourth higher. ( G ♯ , c ♯ , f ♯ , h, e and a ).

The bandurria is mainly used in Spanish folk music, where the respective melody is played similar to the mandolin in a fast tremolo with a pick . During a performance, the bandurria is not only accompanied by a guitar but also by a laúd , which is not to be equated with a lute , but is tuned an octave lower and has a similar design to the bandurria.

literature

  • Curt Sachs : Real Lexicon of Musical Instruments at the same time a polyglossary for the entire field of instruments . Olms, Hildesheim 1979 (reprint of the original edition from 1913)
  • Anthony Baines: Lexicon of Musical Instruments . 2005, p. 15
  • Stanley Sadie (Ed.): The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. Vol.1: AF. 1984

Web links

Commons : Bandurria  - collection of images, videos and audio files