One of the traditional musics of Veracruz, Mexico, is the son jarocho, a blending of African, European, and indigenous musical influences. The basic instrumentation of the music includes the jarana (a small, eight-string guitar) the requinto (lead guitar) and the harp, with other instruments like pandero (a tambourine-like instrument) also sometimes included. The percussive rhythms, syncopation, vocal style, and improvisation in its harmonic and rhythmic framework and verse characterize this style of the son jarocho. Honorio Robledo started playing the jarana as an 11-year-old in Mexico and eventually studied with various masters, including Rutilo Parroquín, in Veracruz. He both composes sones and makes the jarana. His apprentice, Juan Parroquín, the grandson of Rutilo, already demonstrates an aptitude for the son jarocho. He will make his own jarana and will study the basic traditional repertoire of both the jarana and the requinto.
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| Honorio Robledo at the workshop in Miller Sheets Gallery, Pomona |
Juan Parroquin dancing at the first Festival of Son Jarocho in Los Angeles (April 2002) |
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Honorio is devoting the first part of this apprenticeship to teaching Juan Francisco how to make his own jarana. Juan Francsico comes once and sometimes twice weekly to Honorio’s workshop in his garage to work on his instrument, and he spends hours at home finishing the work started together. The body of the instrument is carved out of a single piece of cedar. |
| Honorio and Juan Francisco, who is playing a jarana mosquito. There are jaranas of various sizes, including this small one. |
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| ACTA archives, photos © Mary MacGregor-Villarreal |
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