Mike's Oud Forums - Powered by XMB

Kwitra build

sorĉistino - 7-19-2017 at 01:28 AM

Here's my attempt at building a kwitra. Feedback welcome.

sorĉistino - 7-19-2017 at 01:30 AM

sorĉistino - 7-19-2017 at 01:33 AM

The bowl taking shape.

sorĉistino - 7-21-2017 at 03:00 AM

The neck is now taking shape. I have decided to go with a scarf joint as that's what I'm used to, and this is the first bowl back I've ever made.
I'm also used to using a Spanish heel like a classical guitar (with the neckblock and neck all one piece) and haven't done a separate neck like this for a long time. I was planning to do a dowel-reinforced joint as that seems to be the normal for ouds? Suggestions welcome.

MattOud - 7-21-2017 at 05:52 AM

I cannot make suggestions as i know nothing about this instrument at all, but wanted to say i am impressed you even gave it a go!
It looks really nice so far! I am unfamiliar with the Kwitra, but you have intrigued me to look further... Nice job!

sorĉistino - 7-21-2017 at 09:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by MattOud

I cannot make suggestions as i know nothing about this instrument at all, but wanted to say i am impressed you even gave it a go!
It looks really nice so far! I am unfamiliar with the Kwitra, but you have intrigued me to look further... Nice job!

Thanks!
The kwitra (also transliterated quitra, kuitra or kouitra) is a fretless lute from western north Africa. It is related to the oud and probably developed during the time of Al-Andalus. It has a more slender shape than the oud, a slightly longer neck and only 4 courses of strings.

As for suggestions, I think these instruments are now quite unusual and so therefore difficult to research, so I am borrowing oud and lute techniques.

Jody Stecher - 7-21-2017 at 09:29 AM

The old European equivalent of Kwitra was an instrument called Quintern. I suspect that the modern Cuatro, in all its forms, derives its name from Kwitra/Quintern .

sorĉistino - 7-21-2017 at 11:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher

The old European equivalent of Kwitra was an instrument called Quintern. I suspect that the modern Cuatro, in all its forms, derives its name from Kwitra/Quintern .

Isn't cuatro meaning four? The Venezuelan cuatro has four strings, and the original Puerto Rican cuatro (cuatro antiguo) used to have 4 strings before it was expanded to four doubled courses and then later to 5 for 10 strings in total.

The quintern/gittern and kwitra are certainly related through the oud though.

sorĉistino - 7-21-2017 at 11:50 AM

Neck carving...

Greg - 7-22-2017 at 04:09 AM

I must say how refreshing it is to see someone sharing details of building an instrument. In years gone by, we regularly had threads like this and I, for one, really enjoyed following them.
Thanks very much for sharing this with us, Sorĉistino.

Greg

Jody Stecher - 7-22-2017 at 08:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sorĉistino

Quote: Originally posted by Jody Stecher

The old European equivalent of Kwitra was an instrument called Quintern. I suspect that the modern Cuatro, in all its forms, derives its name from Kwitra/Quintern .

That would be the logical assumption, especially because there is a three course instrument called Tres. But looking deeper into the matter one finds intriguing things. The sound, construction, and musical role of the kwitra are similar to the various forms of cuatro. The kwitra is strung tightly. The strings are relatively short. The instrument is built to withstand pressure. It is played hard so that it will be loud enough for the entire ensemble of musicians to hear. It is a sort of percussion instrument. It is not unusual for a kwitra player to be the ensemble leader. The little bit we know about the European quintern suggests a similar role and purpose. Sometimes in old European church fresco painting one sees a pair of angels depicted. One plays the lute with fingers. The peghead is bent back as in an oud. The other is playing the quintern. The peghead angle is not extreme. The strings are played with a plectrum. The shape of the instrument body is more narrow and shallow. This is like the kwitra. There are so many Arabic-derived words in the Spanish language of the New World. It is just possible that there is a link from kwitra to quintern to cuatro.
.

sorĉistino - 7-24-2017 at 10:52 AM

I decided to make a lute-style pegbox instead, because the previous neck was too heavy and made the instrument head-heavy.