Michelle Bigenho: Peruvian music: violín ayacuchano
In Ayacucho, Peru the violin is played in ensemble with the an Andean harp. I studied this style of violin in Lima with Máximo Damián Huamaní, a migrant from Ishua (Lucanas, Ayacucho). During this learning experience I struggled with the process of learning music entirely by ear. This kind of learning remains an ongoing part of the challenges in my own musical training. The harp and violin are played throughout the region of Ayacucho, in the genres of huaynos as well as in accompaniment of the scissors dance, the dance of "negritos," the cleaning of irrigation canals, the branding of cattle, and other ritual celebrations and agricultural tasks Throughout the associations of Ayacuchano migrants who recreate their patron saint festivals in Lima, this music also has a strong presence in the city.
For more details on this musical style as played in Lima see my master's thesis abstract.