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Where does the Portuguese Guitar come from?

The Portuguese guitar is one of the most iconic instruments in Portuguese traditional music. Often associated with fado, this traditional guitar is also used in various contexts, particularly in the university tunas (musical groups) of Coimbra for more cheerful tunes.

Origins of the Portuguese Guitar

The origin of the Portuguese guitar is still debated today. Most scholars agree that the Portuguese guitar is the product of various adaptations throughout the centuries of stringed instruments brought to the Iberian Peninsula by travelers and merchants from the East and Europe during medieval times, particularly the Cittern. During the Renaissance, this instrument was widely adapted throughout Europe in Bourgeois circles, giving rise to various regional instruments, such as the English guitar and the Portuguese guitar. Later, they were also adopted in popular music, however, there are fewer traces of this musical tradition.

In the 18th century, more concrete references to the use of the Portuguese guitar began to appear. Its shape and construction were not yet standardized, which allowed each builder to give it their unique twist. At this time, the Portuguese guitar was used as a solo instrument, yet to be played to accompany songs as we are so accustomed to hearing today.

The Evolution in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Starting in the 19th century that the Portuguese guitar became what we recognize today, both in terms of design and its use. During this period, the Portuguese guitar started to take on its recognizable shape: with a body shaped like a teardrop and 12 strings arranged in pairs.

The guitar came to be used especially in Lisbon and Coimbra, where two distinct styles of fado emerged: The “Lisbon fado” is the more common and traditional style, the Portuguese guitar is distinguishable by being tuned in C and by its sweet and melancholic melody, generally being played indoors. The “Coimbra fado” is more academic and freer, associated with university serenades and tuned in high D, these guitars have more sound projection as they are played outdoors accompanied by other instruments.

From the 20th century, the instrument became more internationally recognized, especially with the rise of renowned fado singers like Amália Rodrigues. The Portuguese guitar, alongside the classical guitar, was the soul of fado, it has become a symbol of Portuguese culture all over the world. Through the hands of talented guitarists like Carlos Paredes, the instrument gained a new dimension, being incorporated into other musical styles such as Jazz, but always maintaining its identity rooted in the fado tradition.

Find more: Perfect Fado Athmosphere

The Portuguese Guitar Live

The Portuguese guitar continues to be at the center of fado, serving as the backdrop for fado afternoons in Porto. If you want to experience the Portuguese guitar in all its splendor, we invite you to come to one of our fado afternoons at Destino Fado, the fado house with the best acoustics in Porto!