The Best of Folk Music in Chile

A blog about the best of folk music in Chile.

The history of Chilean folk music

Folk music has been an important part of Chilean culture for centuries. It is a genre that is heavily influenced by the country’s indigenous people, as well as its Spanish and African roots. Chilean folk music is often based on simple yet catchy melodies, and it often features traditional instruments such as the charango (a small stringed instrument) and the quena (a flute).

One of the most popular folk songs in Chile is “El Canto del gallo” (“The Cock’s Song”), which is about a cock that crows at the break of dawn. This song is often performed at folk festivals, and it is also a popular choice for television commercials.

Other popular Chilean folk songs include “La Jardinera” (“The Gardener”), “La Partida” (“The Departure”), “La Huasa de mi Tierra” (” My Native Land’s Huasa”) and “Volver a los 17” (“To Return to 17”).

The influences on Chilean folk music

Chilean music is a mixture of native South American sounds and cultural influences from Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. Chilean folk music has been popularized by artists such as Violeta Parra, Victor Jara, and Inti-Illimani.

The traditional instruments of Chilean folk music include the charango (a small stringed instrument), the quena (a flute), and the bombo (a drum). The music often includes elements of zampoña (panpipe) music and sounds from the Andes Mountains.

Chilean folk music has been influenced by various European styles, including waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, and schottisches. German immigrants brought the accordion to Chile in the 19th century, and this instrument quickly became a staple of Chilean folk music.

One of the most popular genres of Chilean folk music is the cueca. The cueca is a dance that is often accompanied by guitars, mandolins, violins, and harps. The dance originated in Spain but was later adopted by the Chileans.

The instruments used in Chilean folk music

Chilean folk music is rich and varied, and features a number of different instruments. The most commonly used instrument in Chilean folk music is the guitar, which is often used to accompany singing. Other popular instruments include the charango (a small Andean string instrument), the quena (a flute), and the zampoña (a type of panpipe).

The different types of Chilean folk music

Chilean folk music includes a wide variety of styles and genres, reflecting the diverse mix of cultures that have shaped the country. Chilean music is a blend of European and indigenous influences, as well as influences from other parts of the world, such as Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Some of the most popular genres of Chilean folk music include nueva canción (new song), cueca, and chamamé. Nueva canción is a genre that arose in the 1960s and 1970s as a way to express political and social commentary through music. Cueca is a flowing, upbeat dance style that is often accompanied by guitars, violins, and accordions. Chamamé is a slower-paced genre that originated in the Argentine province of Misiones. It is characterized by its use of guitars, accordions, and bandoneóns (a type of accordion).

Other popular genres of Chilean folk music include huayño, mapalé, tonada pelirroja (redheaded tonada), música nativa (native music), canto porteño (port city song), corrido chilote (Chilotan corrido), cueca chora (crying cueca), canto patriótico (patriotic song), canto Nuevo Mundo (New World song), canto socialista (socialist song), zamacueca Peruana/Peruvian zamacueca, Gaita zuliana/Gaita from Zulia State Venezuela, murga uruguaya/Uruguayan murga Uruguay’s African heritage is evident in many Uruguayan musical styles like candombe drums,, folklore,, murga,, rioplatense tango , milonga , candombe,, guitar boite )and banda oriental .

The popularity of Chilean folk music

Folk music has always been popular in Chile, with the Nueva Canción Movement of the 1960s and 1970s bringing it to a wider audience. Today, folk music is enjoyed by people of all ages, with a number of traditional and contemporary artists keeping the genre alive.

Chilean folk music is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the quena (a type of flute), guitar, and charango (a type of small guitar), as well as its focus on stories and themes from Chilean history and folklore. Folk music has been an important part of Chilean culture for centuries, and it continues to be enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the country.