Info on Churangos

Subject: Info on Churangos
From: Baz
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 05:50 PM

There was a thread(click here) a little while back about the musical instrument made from the shell of a Armadillo. I tried to resurrect it but couldn't find it(probably because I can't spell Chur??????!)
But there is a recent convert to Mudcat that I have the pleasure to play music with who can play one of these little beasts. So whoever was looking for info if you still are refresh the thread and I'm sure Rogarango will be able to help.
regards baz

Subject: RE: Info on Churangos
From: Chet W.
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 06:04 PM

Baz, Thanks. That was me writing about charangos. What I would like most of all is to find plans/instructions on how to build one. Also would be interested in how to find a decent, preferably used, model to learn on. I'd appreciate your help.

Chet W.

Subject: RE: Info on Churangos
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 06:43 PM

G'day Baz & Chet,

I suspect the operative words are Baz's "...play music ... one of these little beasts". Traditional charangos have a body made out of an armadillo and there are a lot less armadillos than there are charango afficiandos.

I gather that modern charangos are basically a double stringed ~ ukulele-sized instrument with an arched lute-style back ... made of wood. The Spanish American groups around here all seem to have one of the old ones carefully preserved and will drag it out for particularly significant performances.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Info on Churangos
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 06:59 PM

Does anyone know where I might find a picture of a charango? I mentioned this unique instrument to a colleague from Lubbock, Texas and he was very keen on having a look at one (not to mention quite impressed that there was yet another unusual use for defunct armadillae!)

Any leads would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Info on Charangos
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 07:18 PM

Click here. No picture, but an interesting page nonetheless.
Click here - small picture, but nice collection of recordings.
Oh, here's a picture - click here or click here. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Info on Churangos
From: KickyC
Date: 22 Oct 98 - 06:33 PM

Lark in the Morning in Mendecino, CA sells charangos in their catalog. They also have some instructional booklets, but I think they are all in Spanish.

KickyC

Subject: RE: Info on Churangos
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 22 Oct 98 - 07:32 PM

Dear Joe,

Ah, friend and fecund font of the musically obscure, you've done it again! (A true mark of genius is that it never fails to amaze!) Many thanks for the pictures of los Charangos; I know my compadre de Tejas will be as thrilled and fascinated as I.

Subject: RE: Info on Churangos
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 22 Oct 98 - 10:36 PM

The community college I teach at (Northern New Mexico Community College, Espanola, New Mexico) offers a course in charango.