bandurría

The bandurría is a plucked string instrument from the lute family, commonly used in Spain and in Latin American folk ensembles. It has a rounded, pear-shaped body, a short neck with a fretted fingerboard, and a headstock with friction pegs. It carries twelve strings arranged in six courses of two strings each, usually made of metal. The instrument is typically played with a small plectrum, although players may also use the fingernails for plucking.

Sound and technique: The bandurría produces a bright, projecting timbre with a clear high register. The six courses may be tuned in unison or in octaves, and in many traditional setups the strings are arranged to be tuned in fourths; exact tuning can vary by maker and tradition. The player uses a rapid picking technique, often with arpeggios and tremolo, to articulate the instrument’s characteristic sound.

History and use: The bandurría originated in the Iberian Peninsula, evolving from earlier plucked lutes such as the vihuela in the early modern period. It became a standard instrument in Spanish string ensembles, notably in bands and traditional groups, and is commonly taught in music schools. It also appears in contemporary classical and film music in some contexts.

Relationship and varieties: The bandurría is related to other members of the mandolin and lute families and shares kinship with regional plucked instruments in the Iberian world. Modern manufacture includes a range of student and professional models, with variations in body size and string configuration. In ensembles, the instrument provides high-pitched melody and rhythmic accompaniment.