What is chitarra italiana?

Chitarra italiana (Italian guitar) is a traditional stringed musical instrument that originated in Italy. It has a long, narrow body and typically features four strings that are tuned in pairs, giving it a distinctive sound and a unique playing style.

The chitarra italiana is commonly used in folk music from the southern regions of Italy, particularly in the Abruzzo and Molise regions. It is often played in small ensembles along with other traditional instruments such as accordion, tambourine, and bass.

There are different variations of the chitarra italiana, including the chitarra battente, which has a longer neck and is played by hitting the strings with a pick, and the mandolino, which has eight strings and a similar playing style as the chitarra italiana.

Today, the chitarra italiana is still popular among traditional musicians in Italy, and is also used in contemporary music genres such as pop and rock. It has also gained popularity outside of Italy and has been used by musicians in other countries as well.