Bandurria

/bænˈdʊriə/ noun

Definition

A Spanish and Latin American stringed instrument similar to a small guitar or mandolin, with a pear-shaped body and typically 12-18 metal strings arranged in paired courses.

Etymology

From Spanish bandurria, possibly from Arabic al-oud or from Greek pandoura. The Spanish instrument developed independently from the Ukrainian bandura despite possible shared roots.

Kelly Says

The bandurria became so associated with Spanish culture that it appears in traditional guitar ensembles—interestingly, it's smaller and brighter than a guitar, so it fills a completely different sonic niche despite looking similar at first glance.

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