The Charango: A Powerful String Instrument from the Andes

The charango is a small Andean stringed instrument, from the Quechua and Aymara populations in the territory of the Altiplano in post-Colonial times, after European stringed instruments were introduced by the Spanish. The instrument is widespread throughout the Andean regions of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina, where it is a popular musical instrument that exists in many variant forms.
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Didge Project is a world music education blog, youtube channel, music project and a producer of events, workshops and online courses. Our mission is to bridge music from many cultures into a tangible medium that our audience can utilize for its own benefit. This is done largely through educational performances, workshops and videos. Originally started to support the growing didgeridoo community in New York City, Didge Project serves musicians of all levels in making musical instruments and education available. While advanced musicians may benefit from Didge Project's content, it is the beginner to intermediate musician that we aim to serve. Check out our tutorial videos, free courses, articles and more at www.didgeproject.com

[@jamesvoigt7275]

The quintessential sound of Peru that I remember from when I lived there 50 some years ago.

[@michaelc.vargas4859]

Hello well done my fellow American!!! I am from the USA and my parents are from Bolivia. Historically speaking the Charango is from Bolivia because it has history in Potosi where they found the first armadillos. This instrument was passed down from my father. I also play Charango as well!!!

[@didgeproject]

Thank you for the insight!

[@xarv368]

Error, the charango is an instrument that derived from the baroque guitar and its area of ​​origin is in the Andean area that covers Peru and Bolivia. By the time this instrument originated (during the colonial era) there was none of the political territorial division that gives rise to the current South American countries. The armadillo has nothing to do with the origin, since this instrument could be made with different materials.

[@michaelc.vargas4859]

@@xarv368, your the one making the mistake! Don’t say something you know nothing about! What evidence does Peru have in having the Charango. I know this not only by having this in my Bolivian culture but having evidence. The next time you want to comment. Look at the evidence and don’t refute back to this unless you have evidence. Also the Charango isn’t an Andean instrument because it is an Instrument that is principally used in Bolivia. Making Bolivia the primary source of this instrument and it’s folk music. The instrument before that that inspired the Charango is called the Vihuela which is from Spain.

[@michaelc.vargas4859]

@@didgeproject , if you want more information let me know me! Don’t listen to the other guy as I know more information based on Historical Evidence. Also, you did good job playing the instrument. I hope more American people like myself play this beautiful instrument and share my Bolivian Culture.

[@didgeproject]

@@michaelc.vargas4859 thanks. maybe you can make a video for our channel! email us at [e-mail]

[@LuminousRaw]

Thank you for the gift of sharing this song in your voice. It's one of my favorite songs. I love hearing it in charango version.

[@elenapadilla1504]

Thank You 🙏 👍🏻

[@martamolina9343]

Thanks!

[@Tatang3000]

Thank you for sharing... nice sound & interesting instrument... You too have a good day...

[@joecat21]

Thanks for introducing another interesting instrument to me. Wonder what adding throat singing would sound like, seems like you were on the edge of doing so…

[@didgeproject]

Great suggestion!

[@danielalfonsocedenocontrer6386]

​@didgeproject there is Ecuadorian, Chilean, and Bolivia.

[@franciscosiles]

​@@danielalfonsocedenocontrer6386and peruvian

[@gcruishank9663]

That is a gorgeous sounding instrument. Wondering if that what Gustavo Santaolalla plays on his song "Iguazu"?

[@nicolasolmos25]

he plays the ronroco which is a baritone charango

[@johnhanover2229]

The Chicu sounds are the best.

[@tarotgalaxy6822]

Beautiful instrument….wondering about incorporating this into sound baths

[@mothersgauri4137]

Very cool ! I see you carry 2 types of sound hole. Can you say if sound is any different between the two? Thanks much.

[@didgeproject]

There is no discernible sound difference between the two sound hole designs. It’s merely an aesthetic preference. Cheers!

[@mothersgauri4137]

@@didgeproject Many thanks.

[@johnnieguitar5724]

How is it tuned please? Which notes? Someone gave me one. Good post!

[@eduardoprieto5267]

From top (closet to your head) to bottom G-C-E-A-E . Remember that although you tune each set of two strings to the same pitch, they should be an octave apart. God bless all.

[@eduardoprieto5267]

Sorry, only the middle E strings are an octave apart.

[@CloroxBleachTM]

I’d love to buy one but they’re really expensive in the US.

[@georgehyde6371]

I have one but the back is carved into anadean face .looks Ecuador or Peru to me But would this be a more village crafted piece?

[@xaviervela3889]

Where can I find the tab for that song?

[@lopezboys6226]

Hey do you think you could show us how to know what string decimal goes to which, because right now I’m trying to fix my Charango strings and we can’t figure out what string, (and it seems there’s a decimal number for each string and we don’t know which one it goes to, for example there is the 0.019, 0.020, 0.025, 0.028, 0.030, and last 0.033) do you think you could show us which string goes to which bracket

[@didgeproject]

I don’t think we have that info in terms of decimals

[@WildTroutMan]

👊

[@alsandoval4673]

What is thr name of the song you sing in the end?

[@didgeproject]

Cuñaq

[@NicholasMarks-bu9wu]

Nice man, what are the chords here?

[@martamolina7883]

Nice! Chah, like in Cha Cha 👍

[@alakazam482]

So it's a 10 string ukulele with an extra E string It's like this was made for me

[@estherbjerga523]

I have been searching for this song played on a churango for so long and I can’t find it 😭 it’s a modern day sort of dark/haunted sounding religious song. I think it might be called undone or at least that word is a strong theme in it. If anyone finds it let me know. 😭😭😭

[@pjknueven3671]

words remain Josh Garrels?

[@Loriag888]

I want one!!!!!!

[@danielg.w5733]

Reminds me of Manu Chao a little bit

[@tribalinknews]

Aho

[@RavioliHeichou-Haru]

My father is very skillful with the charango yet he refuses to teach me "yadda yadda parents arent good teachers", so I was wondering how I can learn this instrument properly. My Spanish is scuffed so I'd love some English advice

[@Esmea]

You should record a CD 😉

[@GorShaman]

S miru po nitke - mertvomu - rubaha...

[@mustamuri]

🎶✨🧸✨🎶 👶👏

[@nikhiliyer9371]

Charango belongs to Bolivia I guess

[@didgeproject]

Yes these were made in Bolivia but our dealer is in Peru

[@xarv368]

Error, the charango is an instrument that derived from the baroque guitar and its area of ​​origin is in the Andean area that covers Peru and Bolivia. By the time this instrument originated (during the colonial era) there was none of the political territorial division that gives rise to the current South American countries.

[@michaelc.vargas4859]

Charango does belong to Bolivia because it is where the Primary Source of folk and music come from. Peru doesn’t have that history. There is no evidence that points to Peru whatsoever.

[@michaelc.vargas4859]

@@xarv368, stop commenting please and misinforming people!!! Learn to educate yourself before you comment.

[@michaelc.vargas4859]

@@didgeproject, I also play the charango. I recommend you check out place in Bolivia where they sell Charangos it is in the city of Cochabamba and the manufactured is called Gamboa. They are the best Charangos ever made.

[@maknotmik612]

hey my uncle invented that

[@didgeproject]

Really? What’s his name?