Charango Method

by Horacio Duran

This is the first Charango method to use conventional musical notation, and the only bilingual (Spanish and English) text of its kind. These characteristics make the method attractive to musicians with a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, interests and skill levels. The method is comprised of two A first section regarding strumming techniques and a second section regarding melodic plucking techniques. The first section provides a clear and precise method for learning the "rasgueo" "repique" and "tremolo" skills central to the Charango repertoire. The second section, meanwhile, provides an indispensible guide to expressive techniques for embellishing melodic lines including hammer-ons and pull-offs, trills, simultaneous melodies and arpeggios. The method is appropriate for a wide range of musical skill levels, from beginners to accomplished Charanguists who want to improve their technical chops. Exercises are clear and progressive. In the event that the student is not familiar with music theory, an appendix clarifies the basics of musical notation. In addition to 201 written exercises for the Charango solo, the method includes 23 South American folk music classics arranged for Charango and guitar accompaniment. It thus serves as both a pedagogical tool and a source of performance repertoire. The musical scores included in the method are accompanied by a CD of recorded exercises and a free audio download of repertoire played by recognized Chilean instrumentalists.

208 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Gabriel Molina Hernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

"El charango, al igual que todo instrumento en manos del músico, debe transformarse en parte de sí mismo, como las manos y los brazos, como el pensamiento, las emociones y los sentimientos".

El Método posee una estructura detallada, segmentada, progresiva y a la vez integrada de los conocimientos técnicos e históricos, junto con recomendaciones y apreciaciones personales de los autores; todo lo anterior hace sinergia con el audio disponible para cada lección. Por último posee provechosas partituras de un repertorio tradicional y contemporáneo. El texto está simultáneamente en español e inglés.

La publicación elaborada por los dos especialistas no es sólo técnica, está claro que los autores dominan la materia, pero además de especialistas, son músicos e intelectuales. En el Método hay filosofía rupturista al incluir repertorio de transmisión oral y de autores conocidos latinoamericanos, hay rigor etnológico al circunscribir el Método al contexto del charango citadino y no al indígena, hay valor axiológico y ética profesional al defender sus derechos instalando al charango, que aun no tiene cátedra en la academia, como instrumento digno de ser estudiado y desarrollado.

https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?...

[Ashley Van Vonderen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful! The only charango method book with English I could find. I was having trouble translating some Spanish method books, because of the way music is discussed- and this one helped me see what was being said more clearly. I later translated the other Spanish books into English. Comes with a CD so you can check your rhythm and tone. 5 Stars!