Arpa jarocha

The arpa jarocha is a small harp that is played while seated. It has a wooden frame, a resonator, a flat soundboard, 32-36 nylon or metal strings, and does not have pedals. This harp is tuned diatonically over five octaves. The top of its soundboard arches outward due to the tension of the strings. Unlike other Mexican harps, the arpa jarocha has its sound holes located on the back of the sound board instead of on the front.

How it is played

As previously stated, the arpa jarocha is played while seated, similarly to its ancestor the Spanish harp from the 16th century. The performer uses one hand to play the bass line on the low strings, and uses the other hand to play arpeggiated melodies on the higher strings. The soundboard has also been known to be used as a percussive device.

Where/When it is played

The arpa is one of the main instruments used in the conjunto jarocho; a type of Mexican folk ensemble. The musical style in which arpa jarocha is also heard is "sones jarochos," which blends Spanish and African-influenced rhythms. Within this genre, the arpa typically provides the main melodies, while instruments such as the jarana guitar and the requinto provide basic rhythms and counter-melodies.