tres

Tres is a term with multiple uses. In the Spanish language, tres is the numeral three and appears in counting, dates, and various expressions. In music, tres most commonly refers to the Cuban stringed instrument known as the tres cubano.

The Cuban tres is a guitar-like instrument with a figure-eight-shaped wooden body. It has three courses of two strings each, for a total of six strings, arranged in parallel pairs. The neck is long, and the instrument is typically plucked with the fingers or a pick. The tres plays a central role in Cuban genres such as son and related styles, providing rhythm, harmony, and sometimes melody. Its bright, rhythmic tone supports interlocking parts and syncopation characteristic of these traditions. Tuning and construction vary regionally and over time, but the defining feature is the three paired strings that form its name.

Historically, the tres emerged in Cuba in the 19th century from European guitar models and African musical influences, becoming prominent in the 20th century as part of urban and rural ensembles. Today, the tres remains a symbol of Cuban musical identity and is taught in classrooms and workshops, as well as used by contemporary composers exploring traditional and fusion genres.