Violas de Arame-- Portuguese and Azorean Folk "Guitars"--FOR SALE

left to right: viola toeira, viola da terceira, viola de braga

The word viola in Portuguese is used to refer to instruments which English and Spanish speakers would think of as "guitars", that is, fretted instruments with a flat back (as opposed to the bowl-shaped backs of the lute family), a long neck, and a waisted body (i.e, one which is roughly shaped like the number "8"). The term viola is usually used for the various folkloric instruments which are strung-up in multi-string courses, while the word violão (the augmentative form of viola) is often used for guitars which are strung-up with single-string courses such as the modern classical guitar.

There are a number of these interesting looking and sounding violas. Distinctive designs and tunings are associated with certain regions of continental Portugal, the Azores and Madeira Island.

At present I have the following instruments for sale:

10-string Viola de Braga (also called Viola Braguesa) SOLD

Price: $695 with custom hard shell case

Tuning is in 5-courses: cC, gG, aA, dd, gg (5th to 1st). This is like the Coimbra-style Portuguese guitarra tuning omitting the highest course.

This viola is typical of northwestern Portugal between the Douro and Minho Rivers.

12-string Viola Toeira--with wooden tuning pegs Sold

Price: $695 with case hardshell case

Tuning is in 5 courses: aaA, ddD, gG, bb, ee (5th to 1st)

This is a viola from Beira Litoral and is especially used around Coimbra.

Head of viola toeira, view of wooden tuners

15-string Viola da Terceira-with wooden tuning pegs

Price: $895 with hardshell case

Tuning is in 6 courses: eeE, aaA, ddD, gG, bb, ee (6th to 1st)

This viola is typical of the Azorean Island of Terceira.

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