Yehuda Glantz, Jewish-Latin musician, frequently performs with a charango. On the live album Granite he informs his audience that he plays a charango from his native Argentina. The first was created by The Acoustical Society of America. It uses the numbering system which I’ve briefly described above. A typical ronroco will be around 75-80cm long, with a scale length in the region of 46-50cm. The scale length is the distance between the nut and the saddle.

However, to truly appreciate the charango, one must look beyond its physical characteristics and into its cultural and historical significance. The charango is more than just an instrument; it’s a symbol of resilience, cultural identity, and the enduring spirit of the Andean people. Introduced to the region during the colonial period, it’s a testament to the synthesis of indigenous and Spanish influences that shaped the Andean culture. Traditionally, the charango’s bowl-shaped soundbox was made from the hard shells of armadillos. Today, most charangos are made of wood, which for many players has a better sound (this also conserves poor armadillos!). In traditional Andean music, the charango holds a place of honor. Its high-pitched, vibrant tone complements the lower tones of other traditional instruments, like the panpipes and drums, creating a harmonious soundscape that resonates with the spirit of the Andean highlands. The charango’s nimble, harp-like sound is perfect for playing the lively rhythms and flowing melodies that characterize this genre, lending the music a uniquely Andean flavor. In addition to these variants, there exist numerous regional variations of the charango, each with unique characteristics and adaptations to local music styles. These include the Anzaldeño, Ayquileño, Diablo, and the Sacabeño, among others. Whether it’s the “toy” charango or the heart-shaped Sonko, each of these variations contributes to the rich tapestry of charango music. Their diverse shapes, sizes, and tunings reflect the versatility of the charango and its adaptability to different musical traditions and preferences. The charango’s ability to evolve and inspire new forms is a testament to its enduring influence in Andean music. Music Production Related ArticlesThe soundboard, or top of the charango, is then attached to the body. This part of the instrument is critical in producing the charango’s unique sound, and its construction requires a great deal of precision. Once the soundboard is attached, the soundhole is carefully cut out. Candaleria, Cordelia (2004). Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture, Volume I. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. p.427. Only strings 5 & 6 feature the octave stringing configuration, with one ‘E’ tuned to the same note as the high ‘E’ on the 1 st and 2 nd strings and the other ‘E’, an octave lower. The charango’s strings are another key component of its anatomy. Unlike most stringed instruments which have four to six strings, the charango boasts a total of ten strings. These strings are arranged in five courses, or pairs, and each pair is tuned to the same note. This arrangement is one of the features that gives the charango its unique sound.

Blanco White, an English singer- songwriter, plays charango in several of his songs, most notably the song Olalla on his 2020 album On The Other Side. A typical charango has an overall length of 26 inches, and the length of the string scale is 15 inches. The number of frets is between five and eighteen.

In comparison with the charango, the ronroco is a relatively new instrument invented by Gonzalo Hermosa of the Bolivian folk music group, Los Kjakas (pronounced los key-ar-kas) in the 1980s. G#m7 and Gm7 tunings are achieved by tuning a semitone or a full step down, respectively. Em7 is achieved by tuning down by a perfect fourth. There are 20 or 21 species of armadillos (biologists cannot agree on how to classify them), and all of them live in the South American pampas and other plains areas, and as far north as the southern part of North America (very few of them are found in the jungles). Both are suitable for soloing and standard chord playing, with the ronroco providing a deeper accompaniment, against the contrasting joyful ringing sound of the charango! How Much Does a Charango or Ronroco Cost? Because early artisans had limited experience working and shaping wood, they sourced the body of the instrument from the unfortunate little armadillo – an animal that was readily available and easy to trap. The armored shell (or carapace) was then attached to the soundboard/top of the instrument, providing a ready-made body or resonating chamber.