La Jarana
(I’m sorry! this is a google translation)
The JARANA is the instrument you hear throughout the SOTAVENTO region and the world leeward accompanying the Son Jarocho and the fandango.
Fortunately I had the opportunity to learn to build a jarana in the workshop led by Grupo Mono Blanco Master Gilberto Gutierrez. Initiated in 1992 as an assistant, then spoke in repairs and maintenance. Later I helped Ramon Gutierrez, trainee teacher who had his own workshop in Veracruz in city. And it was in 1994 when I could build a jarana being in charge of the workshop the teacher along with Pablo Arboleyda.
I have spent many years studying the mechanics of the instrument structure. I have experienced in size to study its effects. I used the same timber for years to have a stable result, so maintaining a high quality control and mechanical noise.
[SWF]http://jarochelo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/jarana.swf, 300,450[/SWF]
FAQ’s
1. What is the difference between a jarana and a requinto?
The jarana is the instrument that plays the chords (accompaniment) and the requinto plays the melody. They are played using different techniques.
2. What are the differences among jaranas and the differences among requintos?
The major difference is the size (surface and depth). The size directly affects the sound of the instrument. Thus making the smaller instruments higher pitched and the larger deeper or lower pitched.
3. How are they tuned? Traditionally there are many ways to tune these instruments, but in practice, the most popular is the following:
Holding the instrument in a ready to play position… from the top to the bottom:
JARANA: G-C-E-A-G
REQUINTO: C-D-G-C
REQUINTO PRIMERO: G-A-D-G
LEONA: G-A-D-G
4. What types of wood is used to make these instruments? Both hard and soft woods are used to make these instruments. Hard woods such as ebony, bloodwood, purplewood, or padauk are used to make the bridge, fretboard, tuning pegs and nuts. Soft woods such as, cedar, Spanish cedar, mahogany are used for the body and top of the instruments.
5. Do you ship your instruments to other states or countries? Yes, I ship instruments, but shipping costs are incurred by the purchaser.
6. Do you make “leonas” o “leoncitas”(the Son Jarocho acoustic bass)? No. Because of the depth and surface of these instruments, it isn’t possible for me to make them right now.
See you soon!