Bandola
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This article refers to various South American instruments. Bandola is also Portuguese for Mandola.
The Bandola is one of many varieties of small pear-shape chordophones found in Venezuela and Colombia. They are related to the Bandurria and Mandolin.
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[edit] Traditional varieties
There are 3 main types of Bandolas:
- Bandola Llanera - These have traditionally only 7 Frets but often nowadays more. They have 4 strings and are said to be the oldest. Special ones have also been made with 10 frets used by Prof. Saúl Vera and a 14 fret version used by Prof. Moisés Torrealba.
- Bandola Andina Colombiana - This one has 6 courses. They are made in four different styles: 12 string versions where each course is doubled. 14 string versions where the first two courses are tripled and the rest are doubled. 16 string versions where the first four courses are tripled and the last two are doubled. Finally, there is an 18 string version with 6 triple courses.
- Bandola Oriental - This one is like the Bandola Lianera but with a deeper body and 4 double courses with 8 strings in all.
- There is also a bandola in Trinidad and Tobago. It has 4 double courses of strings for 8 in total. The lower 2 courses have 1 steel and 1 nylon string each, and the higher 2 courses have all nylon strings.
[edit] Modern varieties
- Luís Alberto Paredes Rodríguez and Manuel Bernal Martínez build a range of Bass Bandolas or Bandola Bajo. These instruments have 12 strings in 6 courses and a fanned fretboard.[1]
- Some mandolin players convert their instruments to a Bandola Oriental by adding a fixed bridge and stringing with nylon strings.
[edit] Gallery
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A group of Bandola Llaneras and Cuatros.
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Bandolista (bandola player) Moisés Torrealba playing a Bandola Llanera.
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A Bandola Andina Columbiana (R) and a Bandola Llanera (L).
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Two musicians playing Bandola Andina Columbiana.
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Two musicians playing Bandola Andina Columbiana.
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A Bandola Bajo.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ "The Colombian Andean Bandola" by Luis Alberto Paredes Rodriguez and Manuel Bernal Martinez, American Lutherie #96, 2008
- ^ The Stringed Instrument Database
