Requinto

The term requinto is used in both Spanish and Portuguese to mean a smaller, higher-pitched version of another instrument. Thus, there are ''requinto'' guitars, drums, and several wind instruments.

Wind instruments

''Requinto'' was 19th-century Spanish for "little clarinet". Today, the word ''requinto'', when used in relation to a clarinet, refers to the E-flat clarinet, also known as ''requint'' in Valencian language.

''Requinto'' can also mean a high-pitched flute (akin to a piccolo), or the person who plays it. In Galicia, the word may refer to a wooden fife-like instrument held sideways.

Small guitar

The ''requinto'' guitar has six nylon strings with a scale length of , which is about 18% smaller than a standard guitar scale.
''Requintos'' are tuned: A2-D3-G3-C4-E4-A4 (one fourth higher than the standard classical guitar).

It was made popular throughout the 1940s by Mexican guitarist/vocalist Alfredo Gil of romantic music trio " Los Panchos."
''Requinto'' guitars are also used throughout Latin America.

''Requintos'' made in Mexico have a deeper body than a standard classical guitar ( as opposed to ). ''Requintos'' made in Spain tend to be of the same depth as the standard classical.

Other stringed instruments

Portuguese violas

Many Portuguese violas, such as the Viola braguesa, have smaller requinto versions also, called 'requinta'.
The Viola Braguesa Requinta is tuned: A4 A3, C5 C4, F5 F4, C#5 C#5, E5 E5. This tuning is a fifth above the standard Viola braguesa.

Puerto Rican tiples

In Puerto Rico, there are many small instruments called Tiple Requinto. These usually have 3 or 4 strings. See Tiple (Puerto Rico).

Colombian tiple requinto

The Colombian Requinto Tiple (or Tiple Colombiano Requinto) is smaller than a standard Tiple Colombiano, and is sometimes shaped more like a violin or Puerto Rican cuatro, or sometimes like a small guitar (smaller than the standard Tiple). It also has 12 strings and is also triple-strung, but the higher pitch means that all of the strings in the courses are tuned to unison. It is tuned D4 D4 D4, G4 G4 G4, B4 B4 B4, E4 E4 E4.

Guitarro or guitarrico aragonés

The Guitarro aragonés, from Aragón, Spain, looks like a small guitar. It has 4 or 5 strings and is usually tuned A-D-G-C-E-A . The 4 string is also usually tuned E-C#-A–D

Requinto jarocho

The requinto jarocho or guitarra de son is a plucked string instrument, played usually with a special pick. It is a four- or five-stringed instrument that has originated from Veracruz, Mexico.

The ''requinto'' is used in conjunto jarocho ensembles. In the absence of the '' arpa'', the requinto typically introduces the melodic theme of the ''son'' and then continues by providing a largely improvised counterpoint to the vocal line. See Requinto jarocho.

Small drum

The ''requinto'' drum is used in the Puerto Rican folk genre ''plena'', wherein it is a small conical hand drum that improvises over the other drum rhythms.

See also

* Cavaquinho

References

External links

Requinto Guitars makers in Paracho, Mexico

The requinto on Hampshire Guitar Orchestra website

{{guitars

Guitar family instruments
Spanish musical instruments
String instruments