requinto jarocho

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.

• Name — requinto jarocho • Background — string • Classification — (plucked) • Hornbostel Sachs Desc — Composite chordophone • Developed — 16th century • Related — *Bowed and plucked string instruments • Sound Sample — * Illustration — played by Noe Guerrero.

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. The requinto jarocho strings are made of nylon; when played it sounds like the bottom four strings of a classical guitar.

According to the work of researcher Francisco García Ranz, this is the classification of the son guitar family, which includes the leona: Nomenclature Acoustic extension Number of frets Record range Tessitura Guitarra grande C2 - A3 9 serious low Guitarra cuarta G2 - G4 12 bass - middle baritone Requinto jarocho C3 - C5 12 middle tenor Medio requinto G3 - G5 12 mids - treble high Requinto primero C4 - A5 9 treble soprano

• Illustration — pick to play requinto • Illustration — Guitarra de son or Requinto.