Description: The bandurria is a short-necked lute played with a plectrum that has its origins in Spain. Relatives of the bandurria include the cittern and the laud. The name bandurria comes from the text "Libro De Buen Amor" a manuscript written by Juan Ruiz and published in 1555. In the 1800s the bandurria often accompanied a dance called the "Zapeteo". The bandurria and the Zapeteo dance found their way from Spain to Cuba and through Latin America. In the Renaissance period [14th to 17th centuries] the body of the Bandurria was covered by animal skin and had 3 single strings. A book published by Fray Juan Bermudo in the 16th century called the “Declaracion De Instrumentos Musicales”. Fray spoke of the following changes to which the bandurria evolved through. The use of the plectrum during this time was abandoned then a fourth string was added. Since the baroque period the bandurria evolved to have 10 strings. During the colonial era the bandurria arrived upon the coast of Peru. Today the bandurria finds its self in Cuzco, Apurimac and Puno. Globally the bandurria is distributed as far from Latin America, South America and to the Philippines. The closest South American relatives of the bandurria are the Colombian bandolla and the Ecuadorian bandolin.

In Spain: In its current form the bandurria in Spain is much shorter in length when measured from the bottom of the instrument to the head stock. The Spanish bandurria has 12-strings and having 12 to 16 frets. Bandurria's are available in families from small size (prima) to tenor and laudon (big lute). The laudon is tuned the same as a mandolin GDAE. In Spain the bandurria is constructed from walnut, maple, cedar or sycamore.

In Peru: Today one would find the bandurria to be arranged in 12, 14, 16 or 20 strings. The bandurria is found in two sizes a prima (solo) bandurria and or marimacho bandurria. The marimacho bandurria considered a soloists instrument is much larger in size and it is known for its rich bass tone. In Spanish the word “marimacho” translates into “hermaphrodite”. The marimacho bandurria is tuned a fifth below the prima bandurria. In Peru the bandurria employs many alternate tunings.

About My Specimen: The bandurria in this case maybe played with a pick a guitar pick, the specimen I have is a 14-stringed lead bandurria in which is made in the 1954. This particular bandurria sounds quite resonant when it is played. If you own a similar specimen one should be very careful when tuning the bandurria the string gauges are quite thin in diameter and they can be prone to frequent snapping. The tension of the strings can be too much on the neck. One should also have a sensitive guitar tuner since the thinner strings sometimes do go out of tune on these instruments. 

Citations: The New Grove Dictionary of Music Page .148. Online Resources > pacoweb.net > Henry Du Brin @ Atlasofpluckedinstruments >Trio Assai (Spanish bandurria ensemble) > Paul Ancheta (Philippine Rondala) > http://www.pasacat.org/frames/rondalla.html ~ The New Grove Dictionary of Music Page .148.