Marimbistas y marimberos: acercamiento a la práctica musical de la marimba en San Antonio de Escazú.

Abstract

This descriptive study aims to understand several elements directly related to the process of learning, playing and making marimbas in San Antonio of Escazú. The influence of the family environment, the process of professionalization and social contexts, how these are all linked with this musical practice, its current and future connotations (from the interviewees' perspective), musical repertoire, instrument construction process, and the diversity of marimbas made in San Antonio are other elements taken into consideration. Finally, a modest inventory of the best known 'marimberos' (marimba makers) and 'marimbistas' (marimba players) in San Antonio (in the past and in the present), and the types of marimba played in the area are provided.