Argentine Folk with Sofía R. and Sofia T.
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Sofía Rei grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital and cosmopolitan center; Sofia Tosello grew up on a farm in the Argentine countryside. They found each other in New York City, where each has honed her own singular musical style, growing from deep roots in Argentine traditions and encompassing a range of influences, including pop, classical, and particularly jazz.
Like the two performers, Argentina’s traditional music has parallel rural and urban strands. The music of the cities is characterized by tango, a musical style and dance born in Buenos Aires in the 19th century, blending European and African elements. A rural, folk counterpart to tango that developed at the same time is the chacarera—the song style and dance that the students will be learning.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Learning “La Cocinerita”
Students learn to sing the chorus to “La Cocinerita”; understand the song’s 6/8 rhythms; and create soundscape compositions using kitchen sounds.
Lesson 2: Learning “Chacarera del Rancho”
Students learn to sing the song “Chacarera del Rancho” and dance the chacarera while exploring rhythmic layers.
Resources for Teachers
The following resources provide background information about the musical genre and culture. Some are intended to be shared with students; others are for teachers who may want to explore further on their own.
Listening
- Visit sofiamusic.com to hear more music by Sofía R. and sofiatosello.com to hear more music by Sofia T.
- Mercedes Sosa, “La Flor Azul”
- Maria Elena Walsh, “Chacarera de los Gatos”
- Tomás Lipán, “El Humahuaqueño”
- Merceditas, “Los Chalchaleros”
- Suna Rocha, “Punai,” and “La Sachapera”
Readings
- Argentine Folk Songs, Octavio Corvalan
- “Chacarera” from The Dances of the World’s Peoples, Vol. 3: Caribbean and South
America - The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States, John Storm Roberts
- Las Manchas Del Sapo: How the Toad Got His Spots, Majorie E. Herrmann
Image Credits
“San Telmo” by Pablo Dodda is licensed by CC BY 2.0.
“Mate” by Derek Oyen is licensed by CC BY-NC 2.0.