| The music of Peru is based on sounds from the | | | | with the hands while the player sits on it! |
| musical roots of this ancient Andean country | | | | The pan pipe is an instrument made up of five or |
| combined with the influences of Spanish colonial | | | | more pipes that increase gradually in size and length, |
| period music. There are many varieties of Peruvian | | | | based on the principle of the closed tube, which is a |
| music including traditional music from the highlands, | | | | tube that is closed at one end and plays a single |
| coastal Peruvian music and Peru Negro which is a | | | | frequency. It has long been considered a popular folk |
| fusion of traditional and Afro-Caribbean themes. | | | | instrument and has been determined to be the |
| There is another type of popular Peruvian music that | | | | predecessor to the pipe organ and harmonica. |
| is called Huayano and is very much like Pre-Columbian | | | | Materials that make up the pipes of the pipe organ |
| music. Coastal Peruvian music has a fusion style while | | | | are typically bamboo or giant cane but can also be |
| Andean Peruvian music is native to Peru. | | | | wood, plastic and metal. |
| Established in 1969, Peru Negro is an Afro-Peruvian | | | | The bandurria is a type of chordophone which is an |
| style of music designed to celebrate and conserve | | | | instrument that makes its sounds by means of |
| the black culture and heritage of the Peruvian coast. | | | | vibrating strings between two points. It was used |
| It gained a reputation as it rescued conventional | | | | primarily in Spanish folk music and is similar to the |
| dance and music and became internationally | | | | mandolin. The modern bandurria has twelve strings |
| recognized with the release of the album, "The Soul | | | | which are tuned in pairs and is classified as part of |
| of Black Peru", with songs from popular Peru Negro | | | | the Hornbostel Sachs set of musical instruments. |
| singers. The year 2001 saw the first international | | | | The vihuela is a type of guitar or lute derived from |
| recording of the song "Sangre de un Don", released | | | | fifteenth and sixteenth century Spain, where its |
| by Time Square records. At the time Peru Negro had | | | | "Christian" shape made it gain popularity over the lute |
| only twelve members but has since grown to thirty, | | | | derived from Arabia. It typically has six strings and is |
| all of whom are very talented. | | | | very comfortable to hold. Some vihuelas do not have |
| The charango is the national instrument of Peru and | | | | octave stringing in the bass but many do and each |
| forms a major part in much Peruvian music. It has | | | | design works equally as well for its sound which is |
| five strings and is similar to a mandolin or ukulele. It | | | | very resonant and sweet and bright. Known as |
| can have a harp-like quality if it is played as a plucked | | | | "chapchas", the llama toenail rattles are a type of |
| instrument but can have a stronger and more | | | | percussion instrument. They are worn on the wrists |
| rhythmic sound if played as a strumming instrument. | | | | while playing the drums. |
| Other instruments used in Peruvian music are lutes, | | | | When in Peru you are sure to hear the sounds of |
| guitars, bandurris, vihuelas, pan pipes, and rattles | | | | pan pipes whilst in the Andes and of course the |
| made from llama toenails! A very simple instrument, | | | | Amazon has its own styles. In addition to traditional |
| very popular along the coast is the "Cajon" which | | | | music you will of course hear plenty of salsa, |
| means "box". It is a rectangular wooden box which | | | | merengue and Latin pop should you choose to |
| has a whole in to emit sound and is simply drummed | | | | sample the nightlife. |