Spanish Bandurrias and Laudes
The bandurria and laud are Spanish folk citterns. They both have 12 metal strings. On the bandurria the body meets the neck at the 7th fret. The laud has a larger body than the bandurria and the body meets the neck at the 12th fret. Both instruments are tuned in 4ths. The strings are grouped in pairs which are technically called courses. They are both traditionally tuned G# G#, C#C#, F#F#,bb, ee, aa--from the 12th to the 1st string. Since the scale is shorter, the bandurria is tuned an octave above the laud. If you play guitar and don't want to learn the traditional tuning, I suggest that you tune these instruments like the guitar at the 3rd fret: GG, CC, FF, BbBb, dd, gg (12th to 1st string).
Photo of Bandurria
Both of these instruments are used in rondallas--which are fretted string orchestras which often also include guitars and mandolines.
Photo of Laud
We have bandurrias made in Spain from $695 and laudes from $795. Custom sized Bausach cases $230 (not sold separately from the instruments). Laud model 5.119 is $795 (solid soundboard, laminated sapele back and sides, rosewood fingerboard), model 5.123 (solid soundboard, laminated rosewood) is $995.
Please inquire by email about particulars: ron@fernandezmusic.com
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While I was a graduate student in the 1970's at
McGill University in Montreal I played guitar in a rondalla which met
at the Centro Gallego. We had about a dozen members. Two of the
highlights of our performance career were concerts we did in the
Quebec prisons. In the medium security men's prison we met a
Portuguese man we knew on the "outside" who had mysteriously
disappeared from the local scene. At prison we discovered that he had
been involved with a counterfeiting ring. We also played at a French
language women's prison. There were about 35 inmates. Our performance
was a special night for them. Many had made dresses for the occasion.
After we played our first number, many of the inmates came up and
asked us to dance while the other musicians played. Afterwards, we
shared a wonderful meal made by the ladies.
This photo was taken at the Centro
Gallego in Montreal, Canada in the early 1970's. Artur Gaipo, a
famous Portuguese musician is 3rd from the left in the back row. I am
on the extreme right in the back row. If any of the other members of
this rondalla spot themselves please contact me:
ron@fernandezmusic.com