The Cavaquinho

The Cavaquinho, which has also been known as the braguinha, braga, machete, machetinho or “machete de Braga”, is a string instrument, very popular in traditional Portuguese music as a support instrument or as a soloist’s instrument. It is played in a ”rasgado”(torn) style, using a technique unique to the instrument, or in a “varejamento “ style, which is made with thumb and forefinger (and/or middle finger, and/or ring finger, and/or little finger, depending on the player) in a rigid position , which in the upward or downward movement of the hand successively strike the strings, while maintaining a constant amplitude in its movement. The scholars think that its origin is in the Greek four string instruments; however we must not forget that it was and remain the Spaniards who are the major players in divulging the guitar family of instruments, of which the cavaquinho is a member. It is believed to have been brought to Braga along with the guitar by the Biscaínhos, who were originally from the Basque Region in Spain.

From Portugal the cavaquinho travelled the seas, accompanying the Portuguese explorers and immigrants. One of the most notable was João Fernandes, born on the Portuguese island of Madeira in 1854.He is credited with taking the cavaquinho to Hawaii. He left Madeira on the ship, the Ravenscrag and arrived in Hawaii on the 23 of August, 1879. The natives called the cavaquinho "ukulele" which means "jumping flea” due to its sound. Manuel Nunes was the first Portuguese to mount a cavaquinho factory in Hawaii.

The Cavaquinho has various tunings, of which the most well known are D– B–G– G, E– C#– A– A, the old style: A-E-C-G and E-B-A-D