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El ciego Melquíades — Sheet Music Transcriptions

The Fiddle Tunes of Melquíades Rodríguez,
a tejano fiddler of yesterday

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San Diego Friends
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Mission San Luis Rey Not much is known about this Texas-Mexican fiddler, Melquíades Rodríguez, who recorded in San Antonio, Texas from 1935 until about 1950. This popular and lively fiddle-based dance music was about to succumb to the post World War II trend for louder and flashier sounds. The fiddle would soon be replaced by the accordion in Tex-Mex music, and these fiddle tunes faded from the popular scene.

Discover for yourself the delights of this piece of Mexican and tejano heritage.

Original transcriptions and arrangements by Vykki Mende Gray of pieces from the repertoire of Melquíades Rodríguez.

Lead lines and chord accompaniment are indicated, and a few include harmony lines for a second instrument. Bound in comb bindings so they’ll stay open, with plastic covers for improved durability, these transcriptions finally make this music accessible and available for performers and scholars.

Table of Contents

Alma del alma......................4 Mary..................................... 38
Andrea.................................. 6 Morondel............................ 40
Aquí está tu amor................ 8 Muchachas modernas....... 42
Beatriz................................. 10 La pachuqueña.................. 44
La borradita........................ 12 Panchita.............................. 46
Cholulu............................... 14 Pancho Villa....................... 48
Concha................................ 16 Para mí y para mi novia.... 50
Conchita.............................. 18 La polvadera...................... 52
Días felices.......................... 20 ¿Qué tomas?........................ 54
Felicitas................................ 22 Te espero afuera................. 56
El gato negro...................... 24 Todos ellos.......................... 58
La gripa............................... 26 Las tres Elviras.................... 60
Imposible............................ 28 Tuyo o de nadie................. 62
Isabel................................... 30 Virginia............................... 64
Luz....................................... 32 Viva Laredo........................ 66
Manuelita........................... 34 Los aeroplanos................... 68
María Cristina.................... 36 Jalisco nunca....................... 68


Listen to recordings of some of these lively dance tunes at:
The Roots Music Listening Room

and to tracks from the Arhoolie CD available at this link:
“San Antonio House Party”

San Antonio House Party - CD cover
CD 7045
Accompanied by guitar, violoncello, string bass,
and a little clarinet.




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© Vykki Mende Gray, 2006
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