Laúd (Spanish: "lute") is a string instrument from Spain that is played using a plectrum, a small tool used to pluck strings. It is also played in other countries, such as Cuba and the Philippines. The name "laúd" comes from the Arabic word al-oud (العود), which means "the wood" in Arabic.

The laúd is part of the cittern family of instruments. The Spanish and Cuban versions have six pairs of strings, making a total of 12 strings. The Philippine version has 14 strings, with some strings grouped in single, double, or triple sets. A similar, smaller instrument called the bandurria has a shorter neck and also exists in versions with 12 or 14 strings.

Traditionally, the laúd is used in groups of musicians who play string instruments in folk music, such as Spanish or Filipino rondalla ensembles. These groups often include the guitar and the bandurria. Like the bandurria, the laúd is tuned in fourths, but it produces sound one octave lower than the bandurria.

Tuning

The Spanish laud tuning is set as follows:

• 1st: A4 A4
• 2nd: E4 E4
• 3rd: B3 B3
• 4th: F#3 F#3
• 5th: C#3 C#3
• 6th: G#2 G#2

• 6th: C#3 C#3 (or sometimes D3 D3)
• 5th: F#3 F#3
• 4th: B3 B3
• 3rd: E4 E4
• 2nd: A4 A4
• 1st: D5 D5

The Filipino version has (from bass to treble) one single course, two double courses, and three triple courses (totaling fourteen strings). It is tuned a step lower than the Spanish instrument:

• 1st: G4 G4 G4
• 2nd: D4 D4 D4
• 3rd: A3 A3 A3
• 4th: E3 E3
• 5th: B2 B2
• 6th: F#2

Steve Howe plays a laúd in both the band Yes and as a solo artist. However, he incorrectly refers to it in his guitar book as a Portuguese guitar. His tuning is:

• 1st: G#4 G#4
• 2nd: E4 E4
• 3rd: B3 B3
• 4th: E3 E4
• 5th: B2 B3
• 6th: E3 E4

Cuban laúd

The Cuban laud is a type of instrument similar to the Spanish laud. It has the same appearance and is used in the same way, with six pairs of strings. However, the Cuban laud has a shorter neck and is tuned higher than the Spanish version. Sometimes, the Cuban laud has a different body shape, with two pointed ends instead of the curved or wavy shapes found on traditional Spanish lauds. The tuning of the Cuban laud is as follows:

• 1st: D5 D5
• 2nd: A4 A4
• 3rd: E4 E4
• 4th: B3 B3
• 5th: F#3 F#3
• 6th: D3 D3