Requinto guitar

Someone playing a requinto.
A classical guitar (left) and a requinto guitar (right)

A requinto guitar, also known as Quarte guitar, is a smaller version of a classical guitar, with a scale length between 52-54cm. It is tuned a fourth higher than a standard classical guitar, to A2-D3-G3-C4-E4-A4. They often, but not always, have a cutout to reach the higher frets.

Use

Its creation is attributed to Alfredo Bojalil Gil (El Güero Gil), from Puebla, Mexico, who was the third voice and requintist of the iconic trio Los Panchos. The requinto is used in songs of the Mexican culture like boleros and corridos, and in Latin America, where the requinto plays a very big role in popular music. In Mexico it is used in trío romántico groups.

The requinto guitar is traditionally used in guitar orchestras, along with other sized guitars.

Requintos made in Mexico have a deeper body than a standard classical guitar (110 millimetres [4+1⁄3 in] as opposed to 105 millimetres [4+1⁄8 in]). Requintos made in Spain tend to be of the same depth as the standard classical.

References

  1. ↑ Schneider, John (1985). The Contemporary Guitar. University of California Press. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-520-04048-9. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  2. ↑ Josel, Seth F.; Tsao, Ming (2021-03-09). The Techniques of Guitar Playing. Bärenreiter-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7618-7239-0. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  3. 1 2 Johnston, Richard; Simmons, Michael; Gerken, Teja; Ford, Frank (2005-04-01). Acoustic Guitar: The Composition, Construction, and Evolution of One of World's Most Beloved Instruments. Hal Leonard. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-4768-5258-4. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  4. ↑ "What Is a Requinto Guitar? The Definitive Guide [2022 Edition]". Student of Guitar. 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
  5. ↑ Delgado, Manuel A. (December 15, 2023). "A Look into Mexico's Most Romantic Music Genre". Premier Guitar. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  6. ↑ Walker, Maria (May 15, 2024). "The Requinto Guitar: A Higher-Pitched Voice with a Rich History". Music City Eats. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  7. ↑ Maigua, Erik (September 2, 2024). "La Historia del Requinto: De sus Orígenes a la Actualidad". La Casa del Bandolín (in Spanish). Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  8. ↑ Sellers, Julie A. (2022). "From Radio Guarachita to El Tieto eShow : Bachata's Imagined Communities" (PDF). Latin American Research Review. 57 (2): 440–455. doi:10.1017/lar.2022.20. ISSN 1542-4278. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
  9. ↑ Sturman, Janet (2015-12-22). The Course of Mexican Music. Routledge. p. 129. ISBN 978-1-317-55113-3. Retrieved 2025-11-09.

See also