The Recording Studio charango is a small traditional South American stringed instrument that resembles a ukulele and has 5 sets of paired strings. The charango is a member of the lute family and is said to have descended from the Spanish vihuela which had six pairs of double strings and was most commonly used around the 16th century to entertain the upper classes of Spanish aristocratic society.
By the end of the 17th century, the recording studio vihuela was over taken in popularity by the guitarra Espanola, a new instrument which unlike the vihuela (whose strings were predominantly plucked) had four sets of double strings and was more widely used for playing chords. This later developed into 5 sets of double strings and then eventually six as in the modern guitars we have today.
During the development of the guitarra Espanola and following it’s introduction to South America, the use of five sets of double strings became increasingly accepted as a common standard and variations of these instruments spread throughout South America and the Andes. Instruments such as the Venezuelan and Colombian cuatro or tiple, the Mexican jurana, the Andean guitarrilla (also known as charango mediano) and many others such as the chitarra battente, laud and bandolina emerged from the integration and migration of new cultures mixing with the colonising Spanish conquistadors.
Materials used in the construction of the charango varied depending on the resources available to the indigenous people in their local surroundings. Those living near tropical forests tended to fashion their charango’s out of single pieces of wood, whereas those in other districts fashioned the sound boxes out of the shells of armadillo’s and in some instances pumpkin shells or bull’s hides.
The modern day standardised charango is generally made from either wood or the shell of a native armadillo called the quirquincho. Those with bodies constructed from wood are known as charango de madera and those constructed from armadillo shells are called charango de quirquincho.
These wild quirquincho’s are native to certain regions of South America, particularly in the La Paz and Oruro districts and were traditionally hunted by the indigenous population for many reasons including the making of charms, being used as a source of food, for use in magic rituals, folk law and fortune telling and also in the making of musical instruments such as the charango and matraca. The matraca is a percussion instrument of great importance used by dancers to create rhythm at events and festivals. They are mainly exported to regions of Chile, Argentina and Peru.
Recording Studio: Armadillo Charango
Due to it’s over exploitation in the local and tourist industries, the quirquincho is now officially an endangered species and Bolivia has placed a complete and permanent ban on the capture and use of quirquincho’s for any of these practices.
As a musical instrument, a charango made from the shell of a quirquincho is of substandard quality and although quite playable, does not have great musical integrity. They generally possess a much more inferior sound quality to that of one made of wood.
The main exportation of quirquincho charangos are not as professional recording studio instruments but as tourist souvenirs and wall mounted trophies. If you are considering buying a charango, avoid purchasing one made of armadillo shell as exportation and domestic trade of these animals is now illegal. Please buy a wooden one and give the poor quirquincho a break.
Recording Studio: Professional Charango
Achieving almost mythical status, the recording studio charango is a true icon of South American music and is also extremely popular across the rest of the world. The charango plays a huge role in the events and everyday lives of millions of people, taking centre stage at festivals, celebrations, weddings, funerals, religious events and common family occaisions.
It’s popularity spans all cultures and classes and is played by farm workers, concert players, artisans, businessmen, the young, the old and men and women alike. It is often commandeered by courting lovers and played to win the affections of a loved one.
Recording Studio: Charango players
This versatile instrument can be played solo or in duet with one or more guitars and can take centre stage or be played in accompaniment with flutes, pan pipes, drums and many other instruments.
When picked the charango portrays an almost harp like quality and when strummed it’s colourful, vibrant energy comes into it’s own. The charango’s rhythmic capabilities stand out from the crowd along with it’s unique sound.
