Despite being considered a true art form, with great composers creating culture through their music, it’s undeniable that music has popular roots. The charango, a string instrument of South American origin, is a perfect example. Classified as a composite chordophone with parallel plucked strings under the Hornbostel-Sachs system with the number 321.321-5, it vaguely resembles a guitar but differs significantly in form and musical style.

A fascinating instrument, the charango has been central to the history of folk music, making it timeless and still appreciated for creating traditional local sounds. While not widely known in Europe, it is particularly studied by lovers of South American music, renowned for its rhythmic essence. Moreover, the charango comes in various forms that differ in size and musicality.

The History of the Charango

The charango traces its origins back to the era of Spanish conquistadores, who brought the **vihuela**, an ancient string instrument used by soldiers to entertain themselves. It is believed that the charango evolved from this instrument, sharing its shape, number of strings, and neck size. This theory, proposed by historian Ernesto Cavour, also suggests that early charangos were made using armadillo shells as resonators. While concrete evidence is scarce due to its wide Andean dissemination, these origins remain a plausible narrative.

When discussing the history of the charango, particular attention must be paid to its **Bolivian heritage**.

The earliest documented mentions of the charango place it in **Potosí, Bolivia**, specifically in the wealthy **Villa Imperial** during the silver mining boom. It was here that wandering artists played the charango to entertain workers. Moreover, depictions of mermaids playing charangos can still be found in the **Church of San Lorenzo**.

The first official reference to the charango as a musical instrument dates back to **1814**, when historian Vega documented indigenous musicians performing with remarkable skill. Today, the charango is mainly used for historical reenactments and traditional folk music. Interestingly, during the **1973 Chilean coup**, the charango was banned by the military government, as it was deemed subversive and contrary to the new regime’s ideology.

How the Charango is Made

Traditionally, charangos were crafted using dried armadillo shells for the **resonating chamber**, the only material available to achieve the required size. However, modern laws prohibit this practice. Today, charangos are made from **carved wood**, typically sourced locally, with the body shaped from a single block of timber.

The charango has **10 strings** and a relatively large headstock, yet its overall length never exceeds **66 cm**. Strings are a blend of **gut**, nylon, and metal, and the instrument features a narrow waist that gives it a distinct look, setting it apart from guitars. Each charango producer adds unique decorative elements to ensure the instrument’s origin is easily identifiable.

The string arrangement is unconventional, not ordered from lowest to highest pitch. Instead, it follows a tuning standard known as temple natural, where the central string plays the **octave**. This arrangement produces a bright, crystalline sound that aligns with the Andean musical tradition.

How to Play the Charango

Playing the charango requires preparation similar to that needed for the guitar, particularly in hand positioning and fingerwork. However, the tuning and tonalities differ, requiring focused study within the folk traditions where the charango is prevalent. The **reentrant tuning system** is commonly used, with tonal progressions descending instead of ascending across the strings. This setup enhances the instrument’s harmonic richness.

Experts, known as **charanguistas**, strive to emulate the sound of a harp, using closely spaced intervals and eliminating gaps between strings. This flexibility allows the charango to adapt its tone based on string type, tuning, and musical keys.

Popular Charango Variants

Given its folkloric nature, the charango has many variants across South America, each with distinct shapes and sizes but similar tonal characteristics. Below are the most well-known types:

Ronroco

This is a **larger version** of the charango, measuring approximately **80 cm** in length. It features 10 nylon strings arranged in double courses, producing a deeper baritone sound. It is the most widely used charango variant due to its guitar-like appearance and resonant tone.

Charangón

Invented by musician Mauro Núñez, this variant measures **75 cm** and is tuned a fourth or fifth lower than the ronroco. Popular in Argentina, the charangón is often used for television and entertainment music.

Walaycho

The Walaycho is a **smaller variant**, no longer than **30 cm**, with 10 metal strings in 5 double courses. It is characterized by an elongated headstock to accommodate its numerous tuning pegs, extending the overall length by nearly 30 cm.

For more in-depth information, visit the dedicated Italian website on charangos, where you can explore this fascinating instrument.