cavacos

Cavacos is the plural form of cavaco, a small four‑stringed plucked instrument in the cavaquinho family, commonly found in Portuguese-speaking cultures. The instrument has a compact wooden body, a short neck, and four strings that are typically steel or nylon. It is usually played with a pick, though some players use fingerstyle, and it often provides rhythm, harmony, and occasional melody in ensembles. Tuning and construction vary by region, with regional variants and both straight and reentrant tunings heard in different traditions.

The cavaco originated in Portugal during the 16th century as a diminutive member of the guitar family and subsequently spread to other lusophone regions. Its presence helped shape related instruments and styles, and it is often cited as part of the lineage that led to the ukulele in Hawaii. In Brazil, the cavaquinho and its variants are central to samba and choro, while in Cape Verde it features in morna, coladeira, and batuque ensembles.

In performance, cavacos are used in a range of settings from traditional folk and street music to contemporary world and fusion genres. Luthiers produce a spectrum of bodies and sizes, from student models to concert instruments, reflecting both historical repertoire and modern experimentation. The cavaco’s bright timbre and versatile role in rhythm and melody continue to sustain its presence in Lusophone and global music communities.

See also: cavaquinho, ukulele, guitarra portuguesa.