Tiple
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The Spanish word for treble or soprano, often applied to specific instruments. The tiple is a small chordophone of the guitar family.
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[edit] The Tiple of Colombia
The Colombian tiple is an instrument of the guitar family, similar in appearance although slightly smaller than an acoustic guitar. Tiples usually have 12 strings organized in 4 sets (unlike normal twelve string guitars which are organized in six pairs), although some tiples have only 10 strings. The tiple is associated mainly with the Andean region of Colombia, and is considered the national instrument. Tiple virtuoso David Puerta has this to say about the Colombian Tiple: "The tiple is a Colombian adaptation of the Renaissance Spanish vihuela brought to the New World in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadors. At the end of the 19th century, it evolved to its present shape. Its 12 strings are arranged in four groups of three: the first group consists of three steel strings tuned to E, the second, third and fourth groups have a copper string in the middle of two steel strings. The central ones are tuned one octave lower than the surrounding strings of the group. This arrangement produces the set of harmonics that gives the instrument its unique voice." (See Resources and sources section below)
[edit] The Tiples of Puerto Rico
The Tiple is the smallest of the musical string instruments of Puerto Rico. According to investigations made by the Jose "Pepito" Reyes Zamora, Esq., the tiple in Puerto Rico dates back to the 18th century. It is believed to have evolved from the Spanish guitarrillo. Most Tiples have 4 or 5 strings and most tiple requintos have 3 strings. Some tiples however were found with as many as 6 strings and even as few as a single string. But these are very rare and not the norm.
Main types of Tiples in Puerto Rico are:
- Tiple Doliente - This Tiple has 5 single strings and is the most common used today. It is considered the most important Tiple in Puerto Rico.
- Tiple Requinto de la montaña - This is a tiny version of the Tiple doliente with only three strings.
- Tiplón or Tiple con macho - This is the biggest tiple and has a 5th peg like an American Banjo located on its neck.
- Tiple Requinto costanero - This is a smaller version of the Tiplón with only three strings.
- Tiple Grande de Ponce - This is a larger tiple with a figure eight with a very narrow waist. It has five strings.
There were many other types of Tiples in Puerto Rico besides these, but these are considered the most common ones. Other types of Puerto Rican Tiples were: Tiple de tres cuerdas, Tiple Quinto, Mandurria, Tiple Mayor, Tiple de Don Marciano Diaz, Tiple Vihuela, and many more.
[edit] The Tiple of Spain
This tiny guitar has 4 strings and is found in Menorca. Other types of little guitars in Spain are the Guitarro, Guitarrico, Requinto, Braguinha, and Rajâo.
[edit] The Timple Canario
This little guitar like instrument has five strings. There are also 4 string versions. This instrument is believed to have berber origins. It is found mostly in the Canary Islands, but it is also used in Murcia.
[edit] The Martin Tiple
This Tiple was made in the United States by the famous American guitar company Martin. This Tiple has 10 Strings the two end strings are doubled and the two in the middle are tripled. It was first created in 1924 and is tuned high like an ukulele. They have been made ever since, however today they would need to be special ordered.
[edit] Tiple Cubano
This Tiple was found in Cuba. There were two versions one with 5 single strings and one with 5 double strings for ten strings in all. Famous Cuban arthur Miguel Teurbe Tolón y de la Guardia published a book about it in the United States intitled "El Tiple Cubano y El Tiple Libre".
[edit] Tiple Dominicano
This tiple is from the Dominican Republic. It has five double strings. The soundbox looks like a bandurria. It is sometimes referred to as The Tiple de Santo Domingo (Capital of the Dominican Republic).
[edit] Tiple Argentino
This Tiple is from Argentina. It has 6 single strings and looks like a small guitar.
[edit] Tiple Peruano
This tiple is from Peru. There are two versions one with 4 single strings and one with 4 double strings.
[edit] Banjo Tiple
This tiple is also found in Peru. As its name says it is a tiny Banjo with 4 pairs of double strings.
[edit] Tiple Uruguayo
This Tiple is from Uruguay. It has 6 single strings and looks like a small guitar. It is also called the Guitarra Requinto.
[edit] Tiple Venezolano
This Tiple is from Venezuela. It looks like a smaller version of the Colombian Tiple. It has 4 pairs of triple strings. It is also known as the Guitarro, Guitarro Segundo, and the Segunda Guitarra. There is also another Tiple played in Venezuela but is a member of the Venezuelan Cuatro family of instruments. It is also called a Tiple and also goes by the names of Cinco y Medio, and Cinco. It is very much like the Cuatro but it has 5 strings instead of four.
[edit] Marxochime Hawaiian Tiple
This tiple is from Hawaii. It looks to be a cross between a zither and lap steel Guitar. It is played using plucking, strumming and slide techniques. It was created by Marxochime Colony.
[edit] Tiple Resources and Sources
For the Tiple of Colombia
For the Tiples of Puerto Rico
For the Tiple of Spain
For the Timple Canario
For the Martin Tiple
For the Tiple Cubano
For the Tiple Dominicano, Tiple Argentino, Banjo Tiple, Tiple Uruguayo, and the Tiple Venezolano
For the Marxochime Hawaiian Tiple
