The rondalla is a group of stringed instruments played with a plectrum, which is a small pick. These instruments are called plectrum instruments. The rondalla originated in Medieval Spain, particularly in the ancient region of the Crown of Aragon, which included Catalonia, Aragon, Murcia, and Valencia. Over time, the tradition of the rondalla spread to Spanish America and the Philippines. The word "rondalla" comes from the Spanish word "ronda," which means "serenade."
History
The rondalla began as groups in Spain that played music and were early versions of today’s rondalla. These groups included young men who sang and played instruments near homes, musicians called murza or murga who asked for money, performers called comparza who played on stages, and university musicians known as estudiantina, who were also called "tuna." Estudiantina musicians used instruments such as mandolins, violins, guitars, flutes, cellos, basses, tambourines, castanets, and triangles. In Spain and Mexico, during and before the time of musical romanticism, estudiantina members wore clothing from the 1500s, including short velvet pants, decorated shirts, and short capes with colorful ribbons.
Rondalla instruments in Spain
Some instruments used in the early rondalla were inspired by Mozarab musical tools from that time, such as guitars, flutes, and vihuelas. Mandolins, castanets, and tambourines were also used. Today, Spanish rondalla performances usually include instruments like the bandurria, laúd, guitar, and double bass. Sometimes, other instruments such as Mexican vihuela, violins, cellos, marimbas, xylophones, harps, and timbales are also played.
Rondallas in Spain, Mexico and the United States
Today, rondallas are more modern and lively, using lyrics that are bright, but still follow the traditional theme of sad love and evening serenades.
Today, there are many groups in Spain (like La Rondalla Sierra Almijara and La Rondalla de la Costera), Mexico (like La Rondalla de Saltillo and La Rondalla Voces del Corazón de Veracruz), and the United States (La Rondalla del Sagrado Corazón de Richmond) that continue the tradition.
Rondallas in the Philippines
The rondalla, also called rondalya, was brought to the Philippines when it was part of the Spanish East Indies. During the early Spanish period, some musical styles, such as the guitarra and bandurria, were used by local people in dances like the pandanggo, jota, and polka. The word comparza was often used during the American period, but the term rondalla became more common later. The way the rondalla was introduced in the Philippines is similar to the music found in Aragon.
Today, the term rondalla in Filipino culture refers to any group of stringed instruments played with a pick. These instruments are made from native Philippine wood, and the picks are traditionally made from tortoiseshell. Other instruments that are part of the standard Filipino rondalla include the bandurria, laúd, octavina, twelve-string guitar, ukulele, bajo de uñas (double bass), guitarrón mexicano, and other instruments created in the Philippines based on the violin.
The basic music played by the Philippine rondalla includes folk songs like "Collar de sampaguita," "La bella filipina," and "No te vayas a Zamboanga." It also includes music from types like balitaw, kundiman, and harana, as well as pieces for zarzuela and music that accompanies dances such as subli, tinikling, and cariñosa.