Viola amarantina (original) (raw)

The viola amarantina is a stringed musical instrument from Amarante, Northern Portugal. It is also named viola de dois corações (two-hearted guitar) because of the two heart-shaped frontal openings. It has 10 strings in 5 courses. The strings are made of steel. It is tuned A3 A3, F# F#, B2 B3, G2 G3, D2 D3. It is traditional to construct the viola amarantina from walnut for the sides, pine for the soundboard and the neck in mahogany. The viola amarantina is also sometimes played in Cabo Verde.