Charango Organization - learn

I will refer to the strings as follows:

5th string pair - the one closest to you as you hold the instrument
4th
3rd
2nd
1st string pair - the one closest to the ground

For chords I will specify the fret number for strings 5-1 in order. e.g. 0211x would indcate: no fret string 5, 2nd fret string 4, 1st fret string 3, 1st fret string 2, and dampen string 1

There are many ways to tune a charango. Here are some tunings:

Gm7 Tuning (My Favorite):
5th - F (1st fret high E string on guitar)
4th - Bb (6th fret high E string on guitar)
3rd - D (3rd fret B string/10th fret E string)(octaves)
2nd - G (3rd fret high E string on guitar)
1st - D (same as high octave of 3rd string)

Abm7 Tuning:
5th - F#
4th - B
3rd - Eb (octaves)
2nd - Ab
1st - Eb (same as high octave of 3rd string)

Am7 Tuning:
5th - G
4th - C
3rd - E (octaves)
2nd - A
1st - E (same as high octave of 3rd string)

(May be too tight...top may implode)

Note that with the above tunings, the relationship of charango strings 5-2 is the same as strings 4-1 on a standard tuned guitar. i.e. the lower 4 strings of a charango are in the same intervallic relationship as the high 4 strings of a standard tuned guitar.

This means that if you know guitar you are already ahead of the game.

Em shape on charango: 20000
G shape on charango: 00030
C shape on charango: 20101
(the exact chordal value depends on your tuning: e.g. With the Gm7 tuning above: Charango Em = Concert Gm)

The real fun starts when trying to incorporate string 1. You can: a) double string 3, b) let it drone, c) figure out some other chordal tone

B7 shape : 12020 or 12024
Em shape : 20000 or 20005
D7 shape : 02121 or 02123
(You get the idea)

Flatpick?

Thumb and fingerpicks?

No Picks?

Fingernail of index or middle finger?

Whatever works for you!!!

Ukelele triplet technique works well on charango:
Middle finger down, Index finger up, Middle finger up
(repeat as fast as possible!).