Duran Charango Method

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
indispensible 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.