The term requinto is used in both Spanish and Portuguese to mean a smaller, higher-pitched version of another instrument. Thus, there are requinto guitars, drums, and several wind instruments.
Wind instruments
Requinto was 19th-century Spanish for "little clarinet". Today, the wordrequinto, when used in relation to a clarinet, refers to the E-flat clarinet, also known as requint in Valencian language. Requinto can also mean a high-pitched flute, or the person who plays it. In Galicia, the word may refer to a wooden fife-like instrument held sideways.
The requinto guitar has six nylon strings with a scale length of, which is about 18% smaller than a standard guitar scale. Requintos are tuned: A2-D3-G3-C4-E4-A4. It was made popular throughout the 1940s by Mexican guitarist/vocalist Alfredo Gil of romantic music trio "Los Panchos." Requinto guitars are also used throughout Latin America. Requintos made in Mexico have a deeper body than a standard classical guitar. Requintos made in Spain tend to be of the same depth as the standard classical.
Many Portuguese violas, such as the Viola braguesa, have smaller requinto versions also, called 'requinta'. The Viola Braguesa Requinta is tuned: A4 A3, C5 C4, F5 F4, C#5 C#5, E5 E5. This tuning is a fifth above the standard Viola braguesa.
The Colombian Requinto Tiple is smaller than a standard Tiple Colombiano, and is sometimes shaped more like a violin or Puerto Rican cuatro, or sometimes like a small guitar. It also has 12 strings and is also triple-strung, but the higher pitch means that all of the strings in the courses are tuned to unison. It is tuned D4 D4 D4, G4 G4 G4, B4 B4 B4, E4 E4 E4.
Guitarro or Guitarrico Aragonés
The Guitarro aragonés, from Aragón, Spain, looks like a small guitar. It has 4 or 5 strings and is usually tuned A-D-G-C-E-A. The 4 string is also usually tuned E-C#-A–D
Requinto Jarocho
The requinto jarocho or guitarra de son is a plucked string instrument, played usually with a special pick. It is a four- or five-stringed instrument that has originated from Veracruz, Mexico. The requinto is used in conjunto jarocho ensembles. In the absence of the arpa, the requinto typically introduces the melodic theme of the son and then continues by providing a largely improvised counterpoint to the vocal line. See Requinto jarocho.
