Ruth Ellen Cooper's Page

Ruth,

I use the "classic" Lisbon tuning:

bb-aa-ee-Bb-Aa-Dd

If you have a 12-string guitar, you may tune it to

ee-dd-aa-Ee-Dd-Gg

and use a capo on 7th fret. That will give you the tuning but, due to the dimensions of the soundbox, it won't reproduce the amazing brightness of a P-guitar. However that will give you an idea...

At this point, I must warn you before it's too late, BEWARE, P-guitars are highly addictive!

Hi, Ruth!

Nice to have your comment!

Just saw your mandolin, there's some sililarity, yes. However, the two instruments have very different ancestors: Mandolins descend directly from ancient lutes (although American and Portuguese mandolins have flat backs, the original Italian Mandolins have roundbacks). Portuguese guitars evolved from 18th century "English Guittars", and both descend from 16th century Citterns (also called Guitterns). P-guitars have 6 choirs, the three firs are tuned in unisons, and the three bass choirs are tuned in octaves. This particular feature makes a big difference to the mandolin, and places the P- guitar near by the American 12-string guitar. And, of course there is the unique tuning system - the so-called Fanplate, which evolved from the English Guitar square plate with watch key tuners. The use of thumbscrews imposed the "fan" disposition and helped create a very peculiar tuning system, very accurate, reliable and long lasting (total string tension is over 70 kilos). If you take a look on my "yesterday" video, you'll notice that P-guitars have considerable polyphonic capabilities, though not as vast as classical guitars. Anyway, it's a very interesting and addictive instrument, and I'm flattered for your interest. Thanks cor commenting...

Hi Ruth, I see you play lapsteel.  I had one built and am now trying to learn how to play it...it's hard even though I am a professional guitarist.  What tuning do you like to use the best? 

Thanks, Edward

http://www.edwardsparksmusic.com/