What is a Tiple? Discover more about This Latin American String Instrument | Blog
Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries have no shortage of traditional strings, with impressive staples such as the vihuela cavaquinho, as well as the charango playing a special role in their musical history and evolution. The tiple also makes the list with its longstanding presence in Latin America and beyond, and more than 20 distinct variations of its regular form.
Find out more about the tiple, including a quick look at the many forms it has in its various regions.
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What is an Tiple?
It's not possible to say precisely when the invention of the tiple began however we know that it's been in use since at least the early 1750s, when musicologist Pablo Minguet e Irol first spoke of it.
Numerous Tiple Strings
There are some cases where a tiple will not have 12 strings. There is, for instance, a 10-string version known by the name of the 10-string ukulele with four courses that are set up in sets of 2-3-3. The 10-string ukulele is one of the biggest tiples, that is comparable in size to a Tenor Uke.
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Different types of Tiples
There are many types of tiples. Some of that have more similarities than others. The differences between tiples mainly result from regional influences as well as the fact that different kinds of tiples could have distinct designs strings, sound variations and tuning techniques.
Colombian Tiple (Tiple Colombiano)
The original tiple that was influenced by the vihuela of in the Spanish Renaissance. The exact history of the Colombian tiple is not known, but the instrument has an extensive history in the rural Colombian society, especially in the working-class communities.
Puerto Rican Tiple (Tiple Puertorriqueno)
The Puerto Rican tiple evolved from the Spanish guitarrillo in the 18 the century. It's among three instruments in the Puerto Rican orquesta jibara(a traditional mountain folk ensemble)--and the smallest, too.
Venezuelan Tiple (Tiple Venezolano)
This tiple that is locally referred to as a guitarro is less sized that the Colombian tiple, but it has the same arrangement having four triple-strung courses.
Tiple de Menorca (Spanish Tiple)
Five-string tiple of Menorca originates from Menorca in itself, which is an island in the Spanish Balearic island located in the Mediterranean Sea. The tiple strings are made of made of nylon and not steel that creates a more mellow sound that is the perfect accompaniment to the guitar for the fandango, a popular dance that is performed on the island. The tiple de Menorca is also sometimes referred to as the Spanish tiple or the tiple Espanol.
Cuban Tiple (Tiple Cubano)
On the Cuban tiple, you'll find 10 strings total, which are separated into five two-string courses. In addition to the strings of six on the Cuban Tres, it has special significance in Cuba's musical traditions.
Tiple de Santo Domingo
A different tiple with 10 strings is known as the tiple de Santo Domingo, sometimes referred to as the Dominicano tiple.
Peruvian Tiple (Tiple Peruano)
In Peru, you'll find a four steel-stringed tiple arranged with four single-strung courses as well as two double-strung ones. Peru is also home to the banjo, which is composed of four courses that are two-stringed.
Argentinian Tiple (Tiple Argentino)
The Argentinian instrument known as the tiple actually simply a different name for guitar requinto, which is a smaller version of the traditional guitar that has six strings.
Uruguayan Tiple (Tiple Uruguayano)
Uruguay is another nation where the guitar requinto is often referred to as a tiple.
Portuguese Tiple (Tiple Portugues)
In Portugal, the tiple is just one of the few guitar-like instruments that are played with the other two being braguinha and the rajao. braguinha and the rajao--both of that made it's way across the ocean from Portugal to Hawaii, where they went on to influence the evolution of the ukulele.
Canary Islands Tiple (Timple)
The tiple from the Canary Islands is known as the timple, and it is structurally quite a different instrument than that of Colombian and Puerto Rican tiple. The modern timple has five strings, but some players still use the instrument only with four strings, much like a four-string ukulele.
North American Tiple (Martin Tiple)
The 10 stringed North American tiple was created by C.F. Martin & Co, a popular American guitar maker, and that is the reason why it is commonly known as Martin's tiple. Martin tiple. The instrument features two double-strung courses as well as two triple-strung courses.
Electric Tiple
The final option is an electric tiple. This is available in a 12 string Colombian version and 10 string Martin version.
Puerto Rican Tiples
The tiple variations don't stop there. In Puerto Rico alone, there are a handful of additional tipsle types, such as these popular versions:
- Tiple dolienteThe most popular version; with five strings that are single-coursed.
- Tiplon (tiple with macho):A large tiple that has some resemblances to the American banjo.
- Tiple requinto of the montana:A three-stringed doliente and smaller than the doliente.
- Tiple requinto costaneroA smaller variant that is a tiplon.
- Tiple grande de Ponce:The most affluent tiple located in Puerto Rico.
Expand Your String Skills beyond the Guitar
There is so much more to the stringed instruments other than the guitar. If you're keen on expanding your abilities, consider playing the tiple, or another Latin American chordophone. It is also possible to try mandolin and lute or learn how to play the guitar or ukulele. There are so many options that are available and so many beautiful string instruments to explore.
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