PARANG INSTRUMENTS

PARANG INSTRUMENTS

The instruments used by parang bands are representative of the many cultures that form part of our heritage. Amerindian, African and European influences are all visible in the modern parang ensemble.

Traditionally, however, most bands would have some combination of the following instruments:

Cuatro

Mandolin

Tiple

Violin

Bandol (bandola)

Guitar

Box bass

Maracas ("chac chac")

Wood block (claves or "tock tock").

Contemporary bands have included other instruments such as flute, scratcher (güiro), electric bass, Latin percussion and steel pan (Ingram). Outlined below is a brief description of the major instruments used by parang bands.