The rondalla instruments are:
LAUD
Shaped like the bandurria, but it is
bigger with a longer neck and with two
f sound holes, usually plays the lower
notes in accompaniments, counterparts,
and in unison with the bass. The old
original laud, better known as the
"lute", has a round body in the shape of
a half pear, a flat neck with seven or
more frets, and a separate pegbox bent
back at an angle.
Scale length: 19 1/4 in.(distance from
the nut to the bridge)
Tuning head length:10 1/2in.
Tuning head width: 2 3/8 - 2 5/8 in.
Fingerboard length: 13 1/2 in.
Fingerboard width
at Nut: 2 in.
at last Fret: 2 3/8 in.
No. of Strings: 14
BANDURRIA
Pear-shaped body, with round sound
hole, the mainstay of the group and
usually carries the main melody, plays
melodies and counterparts. Bandurrias
may be divided into first, second, and
third, each one playing a different part.
Scale length: 12 in.
(distance from the nut to the bridge)
Tuning head length:10 1/4 in.
Tuning head width: 2 - 2 3/4 in.
Fingerboard length: 7 1/8 in.
Fingerboard width: at Nut: 2 in.
at last Fret: 2 3/8 in.
No. of Strings: 14
BAJO DE UAS
The double bass, also called bass VIOL or contrabass is four(4)-stringed, the largest instrument
of the rondalla, shaped like the violin with two f sound
holes, provides the fundamental tome and reinforces the
rhythm. Until 1910, the bass-guitar was just a little bit
bigger than the ordinary guitar, and was played in the
samThe double bass, also called bass VIOL or contrabass
is four(4)-stringed, the largest instrument of the rondalla,
shaped like the violin with two f sound holes, provides the
fundamental tome and reinforces the rhythm. Until 1910,
the bass-guitar was just a little bit bigger than the ordinary
guitar, and was played in the same manner as the guitar,
placed on the lap. Later, the bass-guitar adapted a
tailpiece, and was henceforth played with the player
standing up. In the interior of the bass, a small piece of
round wood is fixed immediately behind the right foot of
the bridge, to act as a support. It is called the 'sound post'.
Under the bridge's left foot a strip of wood known as the
'bass bar' is glued lengthways along the belly e manner as
the guitar, placed on the lap. Later, the bass-guitar adapted
a tailpiece, and was henceforth played with the player
standing up. In the interior of the bass, a small piece of round wood is fixed immediately behind
the right foot of the bridge, to act as a support. It is called the 'sound post'. Under the bridge's left
foot a strip of wood known as the 'bass bar' is glued lengthways along the belly.
OCTAVINA
Formed like a guitar with shorter neck, with
round sound hole, like the laud plays the
lower notes in accompaniments, counterparts,
and in unison with the bass, tuned like the
laud.
Scale length: 19 3/4 in. (distance from the nut
to the bridge)
Tuning head length:10 1/4 in.
Tuning head width: 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 in.
Fingerboard length: 13 1/2 in.
Fingerboard width
at Nut: 2 in. at last Fret: 2 7/8 in.
No. of Strings: 14
GUITAR
Six(6)-stringed with long fretted neck which
can be plucked with the fingers or with a
plectrum, larger body as the octavina with
round sound hole, plays the accompaniments,
but it also plays melodies and counterparts,
provides the permanent rhythm for the group
using chordal and arpeggio accompaniments.
Scale length: 25 5/8 in.(distance from the nut to
the bridge)
Tuning head length: 6 13/16 in.
Tuning head width: 2 5/8 - 2 7/8 in.
Fingerboard length: 25 1/2 in.
Fingerboard width
at Nut: 2 in.
at last Fret: 2 5/8 in.
No. of Strings: 6
