A CHARANGO PLAYER´S FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STRINGS
What type of strings must I use for my charango?
There are many brands of charango strings specially made for the charango. The use of guitar
or other strings is not recommended since charango strings are designed to resist the tension made by
the instrument. Chording the charango with the wrong kind of strings can cause an irrersible damage.
Can I use metallic strings on my charango?
If you have a nylon strings charango, it is recommended that you do not use metallic
strings on it because the charango is made to support a tension of maximum 30 kilos and metallic
strings can cause a tension of up to 45 kilos causing damage to your charango.
If you have a metallic strings charango and wish to switch them to nylon, you can do so.
The disadvantage is that charangos made for metallic strings loose the sharpness and sound quality when
using nylon strings.
How often should I replace the strings?
If you are just begining to play the charango and your ear is still not familiar with
it´s characteristic sound, you may not immediately notice how the strings go loosing their caliber.
It is necessary for you to replace the strings at least every two months.
If you are a professional musician you will want a better sound and calibre from
your charango. Strings loose their caliber and shine after approximately two to three weeks.
CARE
How must I store my charango if I will not be using it for some time?
If you will not be using your instrument for a long or short period of time, you need to always
store it in a hard case to Project it from humidity and any accident.
In case you will store it for a long period of time, we recommend that you loosen the
strings to two semi tones lower than the universal tuning. It is not necessary for you to remove the strings.
You need to always protect your instrument from humidity to prevent cracks and that the
arm bends. To protect it from humidity, store your charango in a hard case in a dry cool place (do not expose to sun).
You can also include a few packets of silica inside the charango´s sound box and hard case.
How must I care for my charango?
You need to always store it in a hard case to Project it from humidity and any accident.
We recommend that you loosen the strings to two semi tones lower than the universal
tuning and store it in a hard case if you will not use it for a long period of time.
You need to always protect your instrument from humidity to prevent cracks and that
the arm bends. To protect it from humidity, store your charango in a hard case in a dry cool place (do not expose to sun).
You can also include a few packets of silica inside the charango´s sound box and hard case.
If you live in a dry place we recommend that you wrap the charango´s sound box with
a plastic bag loosely and placing it incide a hard case.
You can use regular wooden furniture cleaners or a string instrument cleaning cream
to clean your charango. If you decide to use a regular wooden furniture cleaner, make sure your charango
is not varnished with India lacquer.
ABOUT THE CHARANGO
Which is the charango´s tuning?
The charango has ten strings placed in five orders, in other words, five double strings.
Each of the strings makes the same sound except for the third ones that are separated by one octave.
The universal tuning for the charango is the following: from the inferior string to the
superior one, following the same logic as with the guitar´s tuning:
E – A – E – C – G
Does the mouth shape affect the charango´s sound?
The sound of the charango depends on the vibration of the FACE and of the construction
of the sound box. Sound is stored in the widest part of the face. In this sense, the shape of the sound
hole does not affect the sound of the instrument.
What is the difference between charango, ronroco and hualaycho?
The ronroco is an instrument created by one of the members of Los Kjarkas, it is a
mix between the charango and the guitar. It´s sound is lower than that of a charango but higher
than that of a guitar.
The tuning is the same as that of a charango with the first and fourth strings in
one low octave. For the fifth strings one changes to Sol to one low octave.
The hualaycho is a more local instrument and can be tuned in many ways, the most
comon are:
- It can be compared to a charango with a capoteaste in the third fret, in other
words, tuned in Sol.
- The most comon tune is in La, like using the capoteaste in the fifth fret.
The sound of the hualaycho is beeper than that of the charango, usually it is used
for the called Kálampeo which is to make melodies scratching the strings.
What is the difference between a beginners charango
and a professional one?
The difference between these two types of charango is the selection of the material
they are made with and the finish.
For the manufacture of professional and concert charangos, the luthier makes
a perfect selection of the materials to be used (wood and varnish). In some cases professional
charangos include nacre decorations, carved images, hand painted decorations, etc.
This is also why beginners charangos are more affordable.
Which is harder to play, the charango or the guitar?
In a beginners and intermediate playing level, the guitar and charango present
the same level of difficulty. For an advanced playing level, the guitar is more difficult to play than the charango.
What kind of music can I play with my charango?
Although the origin of the charango is andean and is mostly used to play folkloric
music, many musicians use it to play other types of music including classical and rock.
It all depends on the ability and creativity of the placer as the charango is a
versatile instrument and can play any musical genre.
CHOOSING A CHARANGO
I play the guitar but not the charango, which is the
best type of charango for me?
If you already play a string instrument, learning how to play the charango will
be easier as this means your ear is pretty educated. We recommend that you choose a professional charango.
I am left handed, is there a charango for me?
There really is no charango for left handed people, what varies is how the strings are placed.
If you are left hended there are two posible options:
- Chord your charango in such way that the instrument results with the adequate
tuning, in other words, turning around the order of the strings.
- In the case of concert charangos, the bonefret on the bridge usually has many
uneven places, so this type of charango cannot have the strings turned around as the bonefret
must be adequated for the new order of strings.
How do I choose a charango for me?
We want to help you find the perfect charango.
Using our seach system, you will only need to select between some options and our
system will offer a list of the best charangos for you. Click here
