A construção da rabeca: Idiossincrasias do mestre Antônio Merengue

Abstract

This work seeks to dialogue with musicologist and ethnomusicologist studies on artisan technology applied to the construction of instruments of popular rural culture. Especifically, it intends to contribute to the the theme of Brazilian fiddle (rabeca), having Antônio Trajano de Pontes, or Mr. Atônio Merengue, inhabitant of the city of Rio Tinto, State of Paraíba, Brazil, as protagonist. Empirical research prevails, since it involves active observing participant field work done by interactionist researcher who describes the techniques for manufacturing the instrument, taking note on emic discourse, and on idiosyncrasies of the researched master. Rabeca (or fiddle), while being the main object of this work, is investigated in its organologic aspects, forms of construction, tuning and native taxonomies. The research approaches the confecction of rabeca and the interaction master/apprentice-researcher which is constructed as the instrument is manufactured. One observes that Mr. Antônio Merengue's learning process took place via orality, observation and immitation, for his creativity when searching for his own solutions, reason why his instruments feature peculiarities.