The accordion
was introduced to Argentina in the early twentieth century. The
first model was called the verdurera. One of the first
accordionists in Argentina was José Santa Cruz. He played
a diatonic accordion, and later changed to the bandoneon. He followed
in the footsteps of his father, Dominguo Santa Cruz, who was a
well known bandoneon player.
Many players changed their accordions by adding keys and altering
the tonal sound, and the accordion evolved. The accordion, in
its different varieties and forms, became popular.
The charmamé
is a music of the Guarani people, which is played on the accordion.
It is a style which mixes Polka, Mazurka and Waltz music. Before
the arrival of the accordion it was played on European instruments
such as the violin and mandolin. It is a popular style in the
provinces of Misiones, Chaco and Formosa, as well as in some
parts of Santa Fe and Entre Rios, and has also become popular
in Buenos Aires and Paraguay. Some Argentineans considered the
charmamé style as "ghetto music" or
"servants" music. However during the 1940's it increased
in popularity.
Argentinean
accordionists have been mainly influenced by others from Italy,
Creole and Arab countries. Many Arab and Jewish immigrants settled
in Santiago Del Estera, Corrientes and Entre Rios. This led
to each region developing a distinctive, individual musical
culture.
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