The bandurria is a stringed instrument that is played by plucking the strings. It is from Spain and is similar to the mandolin and bandola. It is mainly used in Spanish folk music and can also be found in countries that were once part of Spain.

Instrument development

Before the 18th century, the bandurria had a curved back, similar to the mandore. By the 18th century, it changed to a flat-backed instrument with five double courses of strings, tuned in fourths. In the Medieval period, the bandurria had three strings. During the Renaissance, it gained a fourth string. In the Baroque period, the bandurria had 10 strings (5 pairs).

The modern bandurria has 12 strings (6 pairs). The strings are tuned in unison pairs, going up in fourths from the low G♯. The lowest four strings are a major-third above those of a standard guitar, and the highest two strings are a fourth above a standard guitar. The tuning is G♯, c♯, f♯, b, e', and a'.

• Bandurria (front view)
• Bandurria (back view)
• Bandurria (tailpiece)
• Bandurria (tuning head)

Variations and uses in different parts of the world

Juan Ruiz first used the term "mandurria" in the 14th century in his book "Libro De Buen Amor." Later, in 1555, Juan Bermudo described the bandurria in his work "Comiença el libro llamado declaraciõ de instrumentos" as a three-string instrument. He also noted other versions with four or five strings. In the early 1870s, music from the bandurria was played at a child's wake in Jijona, a town in the Alicante Province. The zapateo, a dance that came from the Spanish zapateado and was brought to the region by tobacco growers from the Canary Islands, was often accompanied by the bandurria and other instruments before the year 1900.

The Philippine harp bandurria is a 14-string instrument used in many traditional Filipino songs. It has 16 frets and a shorter neck than the 12-string bandurria. This instrument likely developed in the Philippines during the Spanish period, which lasted from 1521 to 1898. The Filipino bandurria, also called banduriya, is part of a group of plucked string instruments called a rondalla. It is tuned a step lower than the Spanish version, with strings from low to high: F#, B, E, A, D, G. Some Filipino bandurrias were made using coconuts, and others were built as banjoleles with banjo-shaped bodies and goatskin soundboards.

In South America, especially in Peru and Bolivia, there are many types of bandurria. These instruments have four courses, which are different from the six courses found in traditional Spanish bandurrias. The courses on South American bandurrias are double, triple, or quadruple, and they are tuned in a way similar to a guitar. In Lima, Peru, music from the bandurria and harp was often played together in the early 20th century. Today, people in Lima still use the bandurria to accompany the popular music called vals peruano or vals criollo.

Although not widely known in the UK, the bandurria was used by Roy Williamson, a member of the Scottish folk group The Corrie Folk Trio. After one member of the group left, the group became The Corries. Williamson later included a bandurria in one of two special instruments he built for himself and his partner.

Notable players and music

• Javier Mas, also known as "Tamiz."
• Rick Walker, a British musician, played this instrument on the song "A Twilight Zone" by the artist Aim.