The Portuguese guitar or Portuguese guitarra
is a plucked string instrument with twelve steel strings, strung in six
courses comprising two strings each. It is most notably associated with
Fado Music.
The origin of the Portuguese guitar is a subject of some debate. Fado historians argued that the guitarra is directly descended from the citterns imported from England in the 1700s. Other say that is a evolution on the Moorish medieval lute.
Throughout the 19th century the Portuguese guitar was being made in several sizes and shapes and subject to several regional aesthetic trends. A sizable guitar making industry flourished in Coimbra by the late 19th century, propelled by the Portuguese guitar's popularity among the students of the city. Eventually the developments of the local luthiers led to the modern model, named after the city.
The origin of the Portuguese guitar is a subject of some debate. Fado historians argued that the guitarra is directly descended from the citterns imported from England in the 1700s. Other say that is a evolution on the Moorish medieval lute.
Throughout the 19th century the Portuguese guitar was being made in several sizes and shapes and subject to several regional aesthetic trends. A sizable guitar making industry flourished in Coimbra by the late 19th century, propelled by the Portuguese guitar's popularity among the students of the city. Eventually the developments of the local luthiers led to the modern model, named after the city.
