Sep 12
What is the difference between a ukulele and a cavaquinho?
The ukulele and the cavaquinho are both from the same family of instruments – both originated from Portugal.
There are many similarities between them: they are a similar size, they have four strings. There are also differences. In terms of construction, cavaquinhos tend to have a larger body than the uke and have slotted headstocks like a classical guitar rather than tuning pegs like a ukulele.
There is also a difference in tuning. Cavaquinhos are typically tuned DGBD (giving them the sound of an open G chord). This tuning is lower than a ukulele and is also relatively different so the chord shapes of a ukulele do not work on a cavaquinho.
photo credit: fo.ol
September 28th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Hi, I just bought a tenor ukulele and my intention is to convert it to a Brazilian cavaquinho. The person at the guitar store I bought it from told me it is possible and that I’d need to restring (with steel chords) and retune it (from what I’ve read online, to a DGBD/Open G-tuning). Do you think this is possible? Thank you!
November 10th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
A cavaquinho has steel strings under a lot of tension. The body of the ukulele may not be able to handle the pressure. Did you try it, if so what were the results?