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Peruvian cajón makes its way to "American Idol"

LivingInPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The popular Peruvian instrument called cajón was heard at the latest episode of “American Idol” contest, in a night dedicated to Motown music.

Adam Lambert, one of the favorite finalists, rendered a great performance of Smokey Robinson’s "The track of my tears", which not only impressed the jury but also conquered the people’s hearts.

Lambert shared the stage with three musicians playing accoustic instruments, one of which was a Peruvian cajón

Although this is not the first time this Peruvian instrument is used in a live performance in “American Idol”’s history, it could be the first time a winner uses it, since Lambert is one of the greatest favorites up to now.

A video of the performance is available here.

(RPP)

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# Get over it says :
30 March, 2009 [ 10:40 ]

Its just a Cajon, not a Peruvian Cajon. I know all about Peruvian issues with ownership. Should we also call the saxophone - the Belgian Saxophone. Or, the American Computer, American Airplane, American Television, American Telephone, American Car. 
Get over it.

# noname says :
30 March, 2009 [ 12:16 ]

Get over it... maybe you should follow your own advice and get over it...

The whole world plays the saxophone
The whole world uses computers
The whole world makes, watches and have television
The whole world uses telephones
The whole world drives around in cars....

But only Peruvian native music still plays with Cajon... 

Gracias!

# Mr. Rogers says :
30 March, 2009 [ 14:29 ]

And when it does not play music, it can double as a bird house.

# Star says :
30 March, 2009 [ 14:38 ]

Your right noname. A Peruvian native loves to play with his Cajon.

# Anonymous Dave says :
30 March, 2009 [ 15:18 ]

Get over it needs to read up on the origen of those "american" inventions.

# Star says :
30 March, 2009 [ 16:15 ]

I think it was a figure of speech Dave.

# Get over it says :
30 March, 2009 [ 18:59 ]

But only Peruvian native music still plays with Cajon... 

Uh noname, they were playing Motown...er American Motown music.

this whole issue of the 'peruvian cajon' comes from the use of the cajon in flamenco music. the spanish call it a cajon and make a slight adjustment to the inst. Peruvians feel as if the spaniards are stealing something from peru(again) and insist on calling it the 'peruvian cajon'. what do peruvians say about using a cajon in cuba...or africa...or in a motown band in the usa? if I make one in my garage is it a peruvian cajon? what a joke. its just a cajon.
Get over it.

Anonymous Dave, please educate me as to the origin of these inventions. there are 1,000's more that prove my point and you know it.

Get over it.

# noname says :
30 March, 2009 [ 20:28 ]

it doesn't matter what kind of music they played... really

I have two questions for you:

First, why does it hurt or bother you so much?

Second, how do you know that cajon that appears on that video was not made in Peru?   have you had the chance to check the tag with the country of origin?  because if that particular cajon's COO tag says "Made is Spain" ... then you are right! that wouldn't be a Peruvian Cajon.... it would be just a bad replica. LOL!

# Jet says :
30 March, 2009 [ 21:18 ]

Get over it -
You are right when you say that the issue began over the spanish flamenco players trying to present the instrument as something that originated in spain and as part of that effort of "ownership of origin" they would present the instrument as the "flamenco cajon" during concerts in various place in Europe.  This was a bit disingenuous on part of the flamenco performers, since most of them knew very well that the Cajon was first introduced to Spanish music by Paco De Lucia after he took a cajon from Peru with him back to Spain and started performing his Flamenco music with it.
And shortly after that time, the other Spanish groups that started playing the cajon started calling in "Flamenco Cajon" and presenting it as an instrument of Spanish origin. 

This came to the point that when Peruvian musicians would peform in Europe and other places, during interviews before or after shows, the person conducting the interview many times would ask about Peruvians playing this instrument from Spain?  I think anyone could understand at that point, why Peruvians would start making a point to start calling the instrument the Peruvian Cajon.  It was to make a point, that the instrument originated in Peru.... and thus part of the national folklore of Peru.
Equally... if suddenly you had lets say, Russian musicians going thru out the world playing Spanish guitars, and telling the people in the audience that these instruments were "Russian Guitars" and entire regions of the world started to accept the idea that this type of guitar really originated in Russia and not in Spain, do you really think the Spanish people would just sit back and not try to clarify the origin of this instrument? 
It would be one thing if the Flamenco players at the time has merely adopted the Cajon and didn't try to present it as an instrument of spanish origin, but this was not the case. 

If you claim that you "know all about the issue" then you would also be aware of how this was going on and that how it wasn't until Peruvian musicians made it a point to inform people all over the world thru media sources and internet blogs, that the instrument was not native to Spain but that it was an instrument of Peruvian origin and it was Paco De Lucia who had taken a cajon from PERU back with him to Spain to intruduce it to the Spanish.
Before this information came out, you had Flamenco musicians insisting that the "flamenco cajon" was an instrument entirely invented in Spain, and they would even dispute and deny any connections with the instrument from Peru.  You could even find invented histories in print or on Flamenco websites that of how the instrument began long ago in spain with Spanish fishermen etc.
If Peruvians or other people choose to call it the Peruvian Cajon, it was and is mainly to point out that the instrument originated in Peru, and not in Spain. 
In addition, there is another instrument that originated in Cuba, that is a different instrument, a trapazoidal wooden drum with a body that tapers downward that more resembles a conga but with sharp angles.  This instrument and the Peruvian Cajon are not related, but they each have their own distinct origin, and thus to avoid confusion, the cajon that originated in Peru is called the Peruvian cajon, verus the cajon which originated in Cuba which is a Cuban Cajon. Although interestingly enough, the type of Cajon which originated in Peru has now become even popular in Cuba, the Cuban Cajon hasn't caught on in Peru, although you do see the Cuban Cajon in certain east coast USA jazz venues and the such. 
Before this, there many times were confusions as to which instrument people were refering to, the one that originated in Cuba, or the one that originated in Peru.  So for clarity reasons, and to specify which type of Cajon is being refered to, the conga like Cuban Cajon or the Peruvian box-like, 6 sided instrument with round soundhole.

Now, as you say, if you choose to build a Peruvian type of Cajon in your garage, indeed you can call it anything you want.  Are you of spanish origin? I ask because if not then why even bother calling it Cajon? Why not just call it Slapbox?  Or simply Box?
But also, if you purchase a Peruvian Cajon in Peru, you can also call it anything you want, it's your property afterall.  Call it Get Over It Box?

As far as where a person uses the cajon, who cares?  What do Peruvians say about using a cajon in China, Phillipines, Cuba, Africa, or in Mowtown?  I think most Peruvians would say they are proud to see one of their instruments of national origin being used all over the world.

But now it would be quite different if suddenly they saw the Peruvian type Cajon being used in Norway, and the Norwegian band made the claim that this instrument is Norwegian, and while being interviewed said it was a "Norwegian Cajon" and it had originated in Norway.
Do you understand the difference now?

So to sum it up, I will enumerate the reasons that many people have started saying Peruvian Cajon instead of just Cajon.

1. There are 2 instruments of different origin that use the same name. The Peruvian Cajon and the Cuban cajon.   Although the Peruvian style cajon is the more popular of the two world wide now (thanks to Paco De Lucia), to avoid confusions of which one is being refered to, it's more accurate to say Peruvian cajon or Cuban Cajon.

2. Shortly after Paco De Lucia returned to Spain with the Cajon, it spread like wild fire amoungst other Flamenco bands, but with this spread of usage also came disingenuous desires to deceive people as to the origins of the instrument, many of these bands would present it as an instrument of spanish origin, calling it the "Flamenco Cajon" and inventing false histories of the instrument in their print literature and websites.
Because of this, when Peruvian performers (not andean musicians but Peruvians that perform music from the coast) would do concert tours in Europe during the 1980's and 1990's, they were constantly asked about the "Spanish Cajon" or "Flamenco Cajon" that they were using.  When the musicians would attempt to explain that the instrument is actually Peruvian and not Spanish, this would create alot of confusion since the audiences has already seen Flamenco players using the same instrument and they had told them that it was a spanish invention.
Many times this would even happen on stage as MC's would ask performing bands general questions as is customary during live performances.  Peruvians bands were finding themselves constantly having to undo the disinformation spread by Flamenco bands all over Europe and other areas of the world where they had performed.

3. Positive Results - Pricesly because of this type of clarification and the persistance of Peruvian musicians and non musicians alike that have endlessly persued this issue thru media sources and internet blogs, it's now finally becoming well known that this instrument originated in Peru. This ofcourse annoys Flamenco bands to no end now, having to admit that they are using an instrument of Peruvian origin when playing the "ultimate of Spanish expression" the Flameco style. A fact that they never would have admitted before if it weren't for all the effort put forth by Peruvians to clarify this issue and set the record straight.

So yes, there is more than one cajon, so to be specific, it is the Peruvian Cajon.
Get over it!  ;)

# noname says :
30 March, 2009 [ 22:45 ]

OMG! the only thing I can say right now is OUUCH!!! poor get over it

very well done Jet! and thanks for the information... I had no idea all of that about Paco De Lucia... I thought that sound came from him tapping his guitar. but something else I like to add... after watching the video from American Idol... I think the guy that plays the Peruvian Cajon.. could be from Chincha. ;)

# Get over it says :
31 March, 2009 [ 00:36 ]

Very well done indeed Jet! Everything you say about Paco is true....as far as I know.
But, guys banging on 'boxes' started in Africa and there is plenty of African influence in Flamenco and spain for that matter.
Maybe when Paco came to Peru he found some boxes of superior sound and craftmanship and brought them back to spain (I am not of spanish blood). You surely know that the Flamenco Cajon has a snare type mechanism (think snare drum)inside which gives it a different quality. The peruvian model does not have the snare. Thereby making flamenco musicians statements that it is a flamenco cajon true.
What then about the line of cajons(es?) made by Meinl? Many have adjustable snares.

Noname- the sounds you are hearing come from a dancer(s) steps, the cajon, occasional guitar tapping and hand clapping. Makes for an infectious combination.

Jet, you a musician too? Only a musician(percussionist) or a serious fan would know or care. I have to admit that I was fishing for some replies but I didn't think I would get anything like that. haha
Again, very well done.

# american idol says :
31 March, 2009 [ 04:34 ]

OH EM GEE.. ADAM LAMBERT is on the headlines of news !!! ADAM is HOT..VOTE him on AMERICAN IDOL

# midniterambler says :
28 April, 2009 [ 14:34 ]

i will shortly visiting peru and would like to buy a cajon for my son, who is a drummer.  any leads on where to buy in lima?

# David N says :
28 April, 2009 [ 21:42 ]

midniterambler, you can buy one on almost any street corner that sells musical equipment.  These boxes are everywhere.

Many tourists stay in Miraflores, and there are plenty of these stores in the district, especially near the Kennedy Park.

Just remember the first price quoted or even the second is not the lowest they will go. 

# midniterambler says :
29 April, 2009 [ 10:22 ]

thanks for the useful info; any idea of a fair price? and how to get it back to the us?

# David N says :
29 April, 2009 [ 22:15 ]

Wish I could help you out, but really have no clue what these things cost.  Old men use them in the streets to sing and beg for money, so they can't cost too much. 

Can't really help you with getting it back to the US either.  Most folks are trying to get things from the US to Peru, not the other way around.  Maybe check with your airline and see what they say.  Mail service down here is a joke, practically nonexistent so don't bother.  This government can barely run a country, let alone mail.  FedEx or DHL are the way to go, might cost you more than the box though.

# Jet says :
30 April, 2009 [ 02:35 ]

midnightrambler, I suggest you just buy one on Ebay.  Look for the National Geographic sponsered Pervian Luthier, his products are guaranteed and he has many good comments on the instruments he builds. The price and shipping is quite resonable.

As far as the price of a Peruvian Cajon if you are planning on buying one in Peru, there are several things I suggest.

First off, if you have Peruvian contacts in the country, I suggest that you ask them if they know someone that is a musician, preferably a cajon player (pretty easy to find in Lima lol) that can go with you to find a good Peruvian cajon at a resonable price.

The reason I suggest this is because the selection and quality of cajons available in Lima and other cities in Peru varies greatly.  There are even many "counterfeit" brands being sold that are of dubious quality and not up to par in the sound either.
The 1st cajon that I imported to the USA back in 1983 was supposedly a "Falcon" cajon, which is one of the best brands in Peru, but ended up being a cheap knock-off, and had poor sound as well. 

A good but inexpensive cajon can be aquiered for about U.S. $45
Mostly likely it will be a lesser known brand or even from an individual luthier, but these can still sound good.

If you are looking to go all out, and want a top of the line, name brand Peruvian Cajon, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80 (sale or bargained down) to about $150.

As far as transporting it back to the U.S., you could always just have it shipped instead of taking it with you.  If you do decide to take it with you when you leave, pack it well and purchase an "extra-care" sticker to put on the box that you packed it in.
 
I've traveled back and forth a myriad of times all across the continent with my musical instruments, I've always used the "extra-care" stickers and have never had a problem.

By the way, you might also want to check your local music store in the USA.  I recently purchased an "Alex Acuña" cajon at a local music store, here in the USA.  Due to the tough economic times it was on a  60% off sale, and it's a very good sounding cajon!

# midniterambler says :
30 April, 2009 [ 09:55 ]

thanks to both dave and jet for their input. (this is why i love the internet.)

# Get over it says :
30 April, 2009 [ 10:06 ]

Midniterambler, Jet is right as usual on this subject.

The 'falcon' is fine if it is original. I have one. But it might be a little frail/flimsy.

I know the guys in PeruNegro use a much more sturdy build than most I see. There is a guy who makes cajons and works with PeruNegro who lives in LA. Im almost sure the price is a bit higher from him.(I can find his info if you like) 

Meinl makes a ton of different models and styles. Some are very 'interesting'.

As Jet said, you might be able to find a great deal stateside with the economy the way it is.
 
but that is not nearly as cool as bringing a new instrument home from the other side of the world.

Jet, I knew you were a musician and not just a mere mortal.

# midniterambler says :
30 April, 2009 [ 12:00 ]

your right; i did think it would be cool to bring one back, but from what i'm reading sounds like can get good deals in the states.  maybe i'll find an interesting native drum in the andean villages nstead.

# noname says :
30 April, 2009 [ 12:32 ]

as a musician myself, I would recommend that you get a medium quality piece first ... and learn how to play it ... then once you get good at it you can go with the full blown version. It's not only good for your pocket, but actually nothing compares to the experience of playing on an upgraded instrument after you been playing with the standard one for a while.

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