The charango (from Quechua kirkinchu, armadillo) is a small South American stringed instrument of the lute family, usually no more than 40 to 60 cm long, traditionally made with the back of an armadillo as its Quechua name suggests, but today made more commonly of wood, with a bowled back imitating the shape of the armadillo shell. Unlike most wooden lutes, the body and neck are typically made of a single block of wood, carved into shape. The charango's ten strings require quite a large headstock, often approaching or even exceeding the size of its diminutive sound box. Aside from these visual distinctions, it resembles a small ukulele.

The charango has five pairs (or courses) of strings, typically tuned GCEAE. This tuning, disregarding octaves, is similar to the typical C-tuning of the 'ukulele or the Venezuelan cuatro, with the addition of a second E-string.

The charango originated in the 18th century Andes, probably from Amerindian contact with Spanish settlers.

The ronroco is a larger relative of the charango, usually tuned one octave lower. The waylacho is a smaller relative, usually tuned a fourth higher.

External links

• Charango Libre
• comunidad.ciudad.com.ar
• ancient-future.com/guitar/charango
• www.frii.net/~brain/charango
• Familia de los charangos