The cuatro is a family of Latin American string instruments played in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and other Latin American countries. It is derived from the Spanish guitar. Although some have viola-like shapes, most cuatros resemble a small to mid-sized classical guitar. In Puerto Rico and Venezuela, the cuatro is an ensemble instrument for secular and religious music, and is played at parties and traditional gatherings.
Venezuelan Folk Cuatro
Venezuelan Concert Cuatro
A Puerto Rican Cuatro
The cavaquinho is a small Portuguese string instrument in the European guitar family, with four wires or gut strings.
Portuguese and Brazilian cavaquinhos
A samba cavaco (right).
Two cavaquinhos in Cape Verde.
A modern ukulele.