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El ciego Melquíades — Music Book

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

Precise Sheet Music Transcriptions

Item Number: BK-301 TEJ       $15.00

Book cover illustration 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 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.

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 occasionally clarinet.

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© Vykki Mende Gray, 2020
All rights reserved.

Web design: Ellen Wallace and Vykki Mende Gray
All rights reserved.


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