Tradicional Chordophones and Guitar
Braguinha
The braguinha, also known as the machete, is a traditional instrument and an integral part of our island's rich musical history.
Crafted in the shape of an elegant eight, the braguinha is a petite guitar adorned with four strings. Its unique tuning, with thirds and a fourth interval on the lowest string, gives rise to a sharp and resonant sound that is perfect for solo performances. Despite its small size, the braguinha boasts a powerful presence, effortlessly captivating listeners with its sweet and melodious tones.
One of the most remarkable features of the braguinha is its narrow fret spacing, which allows musicians to execute fast and virtuosic melodies with remarkable ease.
Step back in time to the 19th century, when the braguinha was a beloved companion in every household, from humble abodes to grand estates. It was the life of the party, accompanying traditional regional dances like "bailinhos," "mouriscas," and "chamarritas," as well as enchanting children's games with its lively tunes.
In affluent households, the braguinha took center stage, adding a touch of elegance to soirées and musical gatherings and captivating audiences with its renditions of popular melodies, including cherished opera arias and european ballroom dances.
Go to the top
Rajão
The rajão is a unique instrument native to the island of Madeira. Slightly larger than the braguinha, it is strung with five gut or similar strings.
Its tuning is reentrant, meaning that the lowest string is placed in the middle of the instrument. This characteristic allows musicians to produce distinctive musical effects.Though long believed to be exclusive to Madeira, the rajão actually traces its origins to the Baroque Violas of the Iberian Peninsula.
The enchanting sound of this instrument has transcended borders, so much so that during the migration of Madeirans to Hawaii, locals embraced the rajão and created their own version, known as the Ukulele.
Beyond its historical significance, the rajão embodies the cultural heritage and musical traditions of Madeira. It has been a fixture in gatherings, festivals, and celebrations, providing the rhythmic heartbeat of the island's vibrant cultural scene.
With its warm, resonant tones and unique playing techniques, the rajão continues to captivate audiences both locally and globally, ensuring its enduring legacy in the musical landscape of Madeira and beyond.
Go to the top
Viola de Arame
The Viola de Arame stands as the largest of Madeira's string instruments, boasting 10 steel strings arranged in pairs. Similar instruments can be found throughout the country. Its resonant tone, characterized by both its octave strings and the construction materials utilized, is deep and expansive.
Since the late 18th century, the Viola de Arame has been a staple in the lives of Madeiran communities, accompanying evening gatherings after long days of toil. It plays an integral role in two well-known traditional musical genres: the "Charamba" and the "Baile da meia-Volta."
Today, much like the other instruments mentioned above, the Viola is utilized across a spectrum of musical genres, showcasing its versatility and enduring relevance in contemporary music scenes.
Go to the top
The Guitar is known in Portugal as: "Viola"; "Viola Francesa", "Violão" or "Guitarra".
This handheld stringed instrument has an eight-shaped body, similar to regional stringed instruments, and six strings. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world, and the island of Madeira is no exception.
In the 19th century, it was the most important and widespread hand-held stringed instrument in Portugal and throughout Europe. In Madeira, there is also written repertoire for this instrument by regional composers since the 19th century, keeping up with the musical fashions of the time and the evolution of the repertoire.
The Madeiran composer, Manoel Joaquim Monteiro Cabral, stands out.
Guitar