Citole from the Cantigas de Santa Maria

Demonstration of a reconstruction of the citole depicted in the 13th Century MS. Cantigas de Santa Maria. The reconstruction is by Paul Butler, and he performs two of the cantigas on the instrument, and one Turkish piece, reflecting the Islamic influences on the collection and the instrument.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• citole
• medieval
• music
• cantiga
• Paul
• Butler

[gorskipotok]

Is it the standard tuning for this instrument?

[pcbutler1701]

We actually have no idea what the historical tuning would be. Most guesses put it in open tuning (CGcg or Dada' for example) or potentially in 4ths (DGcf) like a medieval lute or Arabic oud. Since there is some evidence of playing drones around the melody for some of the earlier music, I tend to use the open tuning as that allows more readily for that style of play.

[gorskipotok]

Beautiful. :)

What is the tuning for the instrument?

Regards,

gorski

[pcbutler1701]

Thank you - glad you liked it! It is open tuning, CGcg (with the lowest C one octave below middle C), so like a viola but with the upper two stings tuned down one pitch.

[NicholasBreezeWood]

Very nice. I have and play one of these instruments (made by García Morillo).. they are delightful. I love the decoration on yours - mine is plainer looking. Nick

[pcbutler1701]

I've seen but not heard the Morillo instrument until looking at your page - thanks!  Is that strung in metal or nylon (didn't sound like natural gut, so just curious)?

[CasiodorodelaTeja]

Great !! i really love this kind of instruments and music, i have a Bouzuki, but i like so much the citole, so much. . .

[IGOROZKARSKY]

THAT WAS GREAT, THANK YOU. A BEAUTIFUL CITOLE & NICE PLAYING.

[rtorresvazquez]

Felicitaciones, que buen trabajo en el instrumento y en la ejecucion, saludos desde México.

[polkusin]

your descriptions of building these are awe-inspiring to say the least. wonderful playing too. :)

[salvadorlaguna]

@gorskipotok You can get a citole from Daniel Yost of Argentina. Very credible maker/seller.

Cheers

-Sal-

[salvadorlaguna]

@gorskipotok You can get a citole from Daniel Yost of Argentina. Very credible person.

Cheers!

-Sal-

[gorskipotok]

Anybody have any idea where into get one of these in Central Europe?