Editing Charango (section)

==Tuning==
The basic 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 (instrument)|cuatro]], with the addition of a second E-course. Unlike most other stringed instruments, all ten strings are tuned inside one octave. The five courses are pitched as follows (from 5th to 1st course): G4 G4 - C5 C5 - E5 E4 - A4 A4 -E5 E5. Some ''charanguistas'' use "octave" strings on other pairs in addition to the middle course. Note that the lowest pitch is the "E" string in the middle (3rd) course, preceded by the higher pitched "g" (5th) course and "c" (4th) course, and followed by still higher pitched "a" (2nd) course and "e" (1st) courses. This tuning pattern is known as a [[Reentrant tuning|re-entrant]] pattern because the pitches of the strings do not rise steadily from one string or course to the next, but progress from high to low and then back to high pitch again.

[[Image:Charango player.jpg|right|260px|thumb|A charango player.]]

The ramifications of the charango tuning are that there is a very narrow tonal range in most chords, often with many pitch duplications, which produces a surprisingly powerful sound from the small instrument. Seventh and ninth chords shimmer more than on a guitar due to the close harmonies. In terms of melody playing, the ''charanguista'' can create a harp-like sound with close intervals ringing out (i.e., like a piano with the sustain pedal engaged). With the close pitch spacing across strings (intervals like 2nds), a simple alternating finger-style pattern in the right hand can produce very rapid chromatic and diatonic runs with only minimal movement of the left hand on the fingerboard.  This makes the charango an extremely agile melodic instrument, especially when compared to instruments traditionally played with a [[Plectrum|flat pick]].

As with any stringed instrument, tunings for the charango may vary, but the "standardized" tunings most commonly used (for the 10-stringed, five-course version) are:
[[Image:Charango tuning v2.svg|thumb|Charango tuning (Am7)]]
[[File:Charango - cuerdas al aire.ogg|thumb|Notes of charango.]]

{| class="wikitable"
! Course !! Am7 tuning !! Comments
|-
| 5 || G4 G4   (391.99&nbsp;Hz, above middle C) || 2nd lowest tone, nearest the face
|-
| 4 || C5 C5   (523.25&nbsp;Hz) || "C" above Middle C
|-
| 3 || E5 E4   (659.26&nbsp;Hz, 329.63&nbsp;Hz) || Strings are tuned an octave apart
|-
| 2 || A4 A4   (440.00&nbsp;Hz) || "A" above Middle C
|-
| 1 ||  E5 E5  (659.26&nbsp;Hz) || Highest tone, nearest the floor
|}

G#m7 and Gm7 tunings are achieved by tuning a semitone or a full step down, respectively. Em7 is achieved by tuning down by a [[perfect fourth]].