Latin America music influenced by African music

The rhythm and styles of Latin-American music are influenced by the

United States and other countries in Europe like Spain and Portugal. Latin
music is the combination of four musical elements. Its musical styles are
tango, bossanova, merengue, salsa, and other genres such as reggae, jazz,
rock, and latin pop.

Reggae
Reggae is a Jamaican musical styles that was strongly influenced by
the island’s traditional mento music, as well as by calypso,
African music, American jazz, and rhythm and blues. One of
reggae’s most distinctive qualities is its offbeat rhythm and
staccato chords.

Salsa
Salsa music is Cuban, Puerto Rican,and Colombian dance music. It
comprises various musical genres including the Cuban son
montuno, guaracha, chachacha, mambo, and bolero.

Samba
Samba is a Brazilian musical genre and dance style. Its roots can be
traced to Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious
traditions particularly in Angola and the Congo. Samba is the basic
underlying rhythm that typifies most Brazilian music. It has a lively and
rhythmical beat with three steps to every bar, making the samba
feel like a timed dance. There is a set of dances – rather than a single
dance
– that define the samba dancing scene in Brazil. Thus, no dance can
be claimed with certainty as the“original” samba style.

Soca
Soca is also known as the “soul of calypso.” It originated as a
fusion of calypso with Indian rhythms, thus combining the musical
traditions of the two major ethnic groups of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a
modern Trinidadian and Tobagonian pop music combining soul and
calypso music.
Were
Were is a Muslim music often performed as a wake-up call for
early breakfast and players during Ramadan celebrations. Relying on
pre-arranged music, it fuses the African and European music styles.

Zouk
Zouk is fast, carnival –like rhythmic music, from the Creole slang
word for “party”. It originated in the Carribbean Islands of Guadaloupe
and Martinique and was popularized in the 1980s. It has a pulsating
beat supplied by the gwo ka and tambour bele drums, a tibwa
 rhythmic pattern played on the rim of the snare drums, a rhythm
guitar,a horn sections, and keyboard synthesize.

The Characteristics of Afro-Latin American Music.

1. Conversation: “Call and Response”

The performance of voice interaction as an answer to the first chant.

2. Improvisation – Non-scripted ways of singing that allow sincere

conversations. It is a framework where the artist has freedom in
creating musical mood.

3. The voice as an instrument – It is the manipulation of a freely

controlled piece where they can change the tone of voice, its tempo,
the creation of moods, and even changing the range and voice power.

4. The instrument as a voice – the instrument serves as a “singer” along

with the performer.
The music is identified by their rhythms, which they adapted from the
elements of Moorish music and other African and Caribbean music in the
slave trade 1550 to 1880.This developed a unique musical culture in
Caribbean countries and its influences include Latin rhythms and Samba
and bossa nova in Brazil and Tango in Argentina.
The Mariachi is another example of a Latin American musical band
popular in Mexico. It original ensemble consisted of violins, guitars, harp,
guitarron (acoustic bass guitar).

REMEMBER!

1. The rhythm and styles of Latin-American music are influenced by the

United States and other countries in Europe like Spain and Portugal.
Latin music is the combination of four musical elements; musical
styles are tango, bossa nova, merengue, salsa, and other genres such
as reggae, jazz, rock, and latin pop.

2. It should come as no surprise that Latin music has become so

popular over the decades and even more so in recent years. The
musical style appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds because
of its rhythmic beats and catchy upbeat vibe.

3. Reggae is a Jamaican musical styles that was strongly influenced by

the island’s traditional mento music, as well as by calypso, African
music, American jazz, and rhythm and blues. One of reggae’s most
distinctive qualities is its offbeat rhythm and staccato chords.

4. Salsa music is Cuban, Puerto Rican,and Colombian dance music. It

comprises various musical genres including the Cuban son montuno,
guaracha, chachacha, mambo, and bolero.
Mariachi: Latin American Music

Are you familiar of the Mariachi? Have you watched the Pixar’s movie
entitled Coco? In this movie, Miguel’s grandmother strictly warned him not
to mingle with this renowned musical group featured in the film, as the
family wanted to forget their sad experience with music.
Watch and listen to the Mariachi as they play their music.

Mariachi Sol De Mexico Perform Guadalajara - GRAMMYs - YouTube.mkv

Answer the following questions:

1. How will you describe the outfit of the Mariachi?

2. What are the instruments used by the Mariachi?
3. Aside from the instruments, what is the other source of music in
Mariachi?
4. What is the nationality of the performers of the Mariachi?

Vocal-Dance Forms of Latin Music

Pair off the vocal dance form on the left (A) with its corresponding
description/ definition on the right (B). Use a separate sheet of paper
for your answers. Write only the letter of your answer on the space provided
for before each number. Use a separate sheet of paper.

A B
1. Foxtrot a. popular recreational dance of Afro-Cuban origin
2. Tango b. ballroom dance that originated in Cuba
3. Cha cha c. involves close contact of dance partner
4. Rumba d. social dance that originated in the USA
5. Bossa nova e. slower version of samba popularized in Brazil