(headline image: Beselch Rodríguez holding a timple)
The timple, a small guitar with five nylon strings originating from the Canary Islands, Spain, is a quintessential instrument in Canarian traditional music artists. Variants with four strings exist, particularly in certain regions of Tenerife. Similar instruments can be found in the Spanish mainland and Spanish-speaking America, as well as Portugal and Hawaii.
Historically, the timple has roots in Spanish Renaissance and Baroque vihuelas and guitars. The Spanish string instruments arrived to the sparsely populated islands with Spanish sailors and settlers.
Initially, the timple was called tiple and camellito or camellillo. Its systematic production began in the 20th century, notably by Simón Morales Tavío in Lanzarote.
Crafted primarily from woods like white spruce, pine, and ebony, the timple includes a soundboard, neck, and pegbox. Traditionally played by strumming, it has evolved into a solo instrument thanks to virtuosos like Benito Cabrera and Germán López.
While traditionally tuned GCEAD, variations exist, including omitting the first (D) string to emulate a four-string ukulele, though this is less orthodox.
The Casa-Museo del Timple in Teguise serves as a hub for understanding the instrument’s history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance, with occasional concerts showcasing its versatility.
The timple’s enduring presence in Canarian folklore, coupled with the emergence of young talents, underscores its continued relevance and vitality in the Canary Island’s music scene.
Notable timple players include the late Luis Millares Sall (Totoyo Millares) from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; the late José Antonio Ramos (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria); Domingo Rodríguez Oramas “El Colorao” (Vega de Tetir, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura); and Benito Cabrera (born in Venezuela and grew up in Tenerife).
Meanwhile, the new generation of timple musicians includes José Domingo Curbelo (Órzola, Lanzarote), Alexis Lemes (Lanzarote), Althay Páez (Fuerteventura), Beselch Rodríguez (La Laguna, Tenerife), Yone Rodríguez (Gran Canaria), Pedro Izquierdo (La Matanza de Acentejo, Tenerife), Germán López (Gran Canaria), Josele del Pino (Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife), Gabriel García (Lanzarote), Abraham Ramos Chodo (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Abraham Ramos Sánchez (Ingenio, Gran Canaria), Javier Castro-Gomis (born in Venezuela, based in La Orotava, Tenerife), Juan Pablo Pérez López, aka Juan Pablo Magec (La Orotava, Tenerife), Hirahi Afonso (Gran Canaria), David Duque Infante (Tenerife), and Jesús Martín-Fernández (La Palma).
Although there are few female players, the most prominent include Laura Martel (Valsequillo de Gran Canaria), Julia Rodríguez, daughter of Domingo Rodríguez El Colorao (Fuerteventura) and Rosy Lorenzo (Fuerteventura).
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.