Charango Method – H. Duran, I. Pedrotti

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 parts: 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 indispensable 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 free audio download of exercises as well as repertoire played by recognized Chilean Instrumentalists.