Requinto de son jarocho
Encyclopedia
The requinto jarocho is a plucked string instrument
, played usually with a special pick. It is a four- or five-stringed instrument that has originated from Veracruz
, Mexico
. It is also known as the guitarra de son.
The ‘'requinto is used in conjunto jarocho
ensembles. In the absence of the arpa
, the requinto typically introduces the melodic theme of the son and then continues by providing a largely improvised counterpoint to the vocal line.
.
The four-stringed requinto jarocho can follow the standard tuning of (ADGc), but is also commonly tuned to GADg and CDGc. The five-stringed requinto, however, adds a string above the standard tuning 5 half-steps below the initial first string, making it EADGc
.
; when played it sounds like the bottom four strings of a classical guitar
.
Plucked string instrument
Plucked string instruments are a subcategory of string instruments that are played by plucking the strings. Plucking is a way of pulling and releasing the string in such as way as to give it an impulse that causes the string to vibrate...
, played usually with a special pick. It is a four- or five-stringed instrument that has originated from Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It is also known as the guitarra de son.
The ‘'requinto is used in conjunto jarocho
Conjunto jarocho
A conjunto jarocho is a type of mexican folk ensemble. Often it consists of requinto, arpa jarocha and jarana, but can also have violin, pandero octagonal, quijada, marimbol or güiro.Its repertory covers sones jarochos in 3/4, 6/8 and 4/4....
ensembles. In the absence of the arpa
ARPA
Arpa and ARPA may refer to:Arpa* Arpa River in Armenia* Areni, Armenia - formerly called Arpa* Arpi, Armenia, also called Arpa* Turkish for Akhurian River in Turkey and Armenia* Italian for harp, sometimes used in scoresARPA...
, the requinto typically introduces the melodic theme of the son and then continues by providing a largely improvised counterpoint to the vocal line.
Design
The requinto jarocho is shaped like a guitar with a small body. The body, neck and tuning head is made from one piece of wood. It has a shallow body, and a slightly raised fingerboard. It also has 12 frets.
The four-stringed requinto jarocho can follow the standard tuning of (ADGc), but is also commonly tuned to GADg and CDGc. The five-stringed requinto, however, adds a string above the standard tuning 5 half-steps below the initial first string, making it EADGc
.
Sound
The requinto jarocho strings are made of nylonNylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
; when played it sounds like the bottom four strings of a classical guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
.