Ronroco
| Category | Strings (plucked, charango family) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Bolivia (Andes region) |
| Classification | musical instrument |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q1133096 |
Overview
The ronroco is a small fretted lute from the Bolivian Andes. It is a member of the charango family, but built larger and tuned lower, giving it a fuller, warmer voice than its better-known cousin. Like the charango, it has five courses of strings — usually ten strings in pairs — and is played with the fingers or a pick.
Origin & History
The ronroco emerged in the twentieth century as a variant of the charango, designed to extend the family downward in pitch. The charango itself developed in the Andes during the colonial era as a local response to Spanish stringed instruments, and the ronroco continues that tradition by widening the family’s range. It is most closely associated with Bolivian folk groups and with the Andean música andina movement of the mid-twentieth century.
How It’s Played
The ronroco is held against the chest like a small guitar. Its five courses are typically tuned an octave below the standard charango, producing a deeper, mellower sound. Players use strumming patterns common to the charango as well as fingerstyle arpeggios that suit the lower register. The doubled strings give the instrument its characteristic shimmering chorus.
Cultural Significance
In Bolivian folk music the ronroco often plays a supporting role beside the brighter charango, adding harmonic depth. Outside the Andes, the instrument gained international recognition through the Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla, whose film scores — including award-winning soundtracks for Brokeback Mountain and Babel — feature the ronroco as a lead voice.
Related Instruments
- Charango – the standard member of the family
- – a smaller, higher-tuned charango variant
- Cuatro – a related Latin American small lute family
- – a Cuban member of the wider family
- Mandolin – a European cousin in the small lute world
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ronroco the same as the charango?
No. The ronroco is larger and tuned lower, although both belong to the same Andean lute family.
How many strings does a ronroco have?
Most ronrocos have ten strings arranged in five doubled courses.
Which famous musicians play the ronroco?
Gustavo Santaolalla is the most internationally recognised ronroco player, especially through his film scores.
Image credit: see Wikimedia Commons category “Ronroco” for available photographs.