Laúd
The word laúd is the Spanish word for lute. It is most commonly used to refer to a plectrum-plucked chordophone from Spain. It belongs to the cittern family of instruments. It has six double courses (i.e. twelve strings in pairs), similarly to the bandurria, but its neck is longer. Traditionally it is used folk string musical groups, together with the guitar and the bandurria.[1]
Like the bandurria, it is tuned in fourths, but its range is 1 octave lower. It has 14 strings overall and it's tuning is by 3 strings for the 1st - 3rd groups, by 2 strings for the 4th and 5th and the last string.
Tuning:
- 1st: G (sol)
- 2nd: D (re)
- 3rd: A (la)
- 4th: E (mi)
- 5th: B (ti)
- 6th: F# (Fa# or fi)
[edit] Cuban laúd
There is also a Cuban variety of laúd (such as played by Barbarito Torres of the Buena Vista Social Club). It has the same appearance and use as the Spanish version, only the tuning is different. The Cuban tuning is: D, A, E, B, F#, C# (or D).
