RHYTHMIC AND ORGANOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTATION FROM LA MANCHECA, IN CONTEMPORARY MONTUVIA MUSIC

Abstract

This article examines rhythmic and organological experimentation in Montuvio music through a case study of the Manchecaña ensemble from Manta, Ecuador. The study employs a mixed methodological approach that combines acoustic analysis of instruments crafted from teak wood and bamboo with qualitative ethnomusicological techniques, such as participant observation, interviews with performers, and audience perception surveys. This methodological triangulation enables the comparison of objective data on sound stability, timbre, and projection with subjective evaluations tied to musical experience and cultural identity.

The findings reveal that teak offers greater acoustic stability against humidity variations and receives favorable feedback from musicians and listeners alike. Rhythmically, the montuvio guaracha maintains a steady, danceable pulse, whereas the amorfino retains greater expressive flexibility. The study's primary methodological contribution lies in integrating organological analysis, acoustic measurements, and sociocultural perception, which frames musical innovation not merely as a technical phenomenon but as a culturally situated process of resignification. This approach provides a replicable framework for studying traditional musical practices in dialogue with contemporary experimentation.