N4 World Music
Latin America
The term Latin American Music encompasses music usually originated from South American and the Caribbean Islands.
This genre uses lots of percussion instruments and is very rhythmic and uses syncopation due to the fact it is used for dancing.
Types of dances include: Samba, Salsa, Tango and the Bossa Nova.
This genre uses lots of percussion instruments and is very rhythmic and uses syncopation due to the fact it is used for dancing.
Types of dances include: Samba, Salsa, Tango and the Bossa Nova.
Instruments of Latin American Music
Guiro
Pronounced Gwee-ro
A guiro is an untuned percussion instrument of Cuban origin consisting of a gourd scraped with a stick to produce a dry rasping sound. Triangle
The triangle is an untuned percussion instrument consisting of a narrow steel rod, with one corner left open. The instrument is suspended and struck with a metal beater
Cymbals
Cymbals are untuned percussion instruments consisting of 2 metal plates which are held by a leather strap and brushed or clashed together
Claves
Claves are an untuned percussion instrument consisting of 2 hollow wooden sticks, with one stick resting in the palm of one hand, while the other stick strikes against it.
Maracas
Maracas are untuned percussion instruments usually played in pairs.
They consist of 2 gourd shells which are each filled with seeds or dried beans |
Cabasa
The cabasa is an untuned percussion instrument that is constructed with loops of steel ball chain wrapped around a wide cylinder. The cylinder is fixed to a long, narrow wooden or plastic handle Tambourine
The tambourine is an untuned percussion instrument with a single headed frame drum with pairs of small metal discs called jingles. It can be shaken tapped or struck with the fingertips
Glockenspiel
The glockenspiel is a tuned percussion instrument with a series of oblong metal plates set out like a keyboard. The player strikes each plate with a beater to produce a silvery bell-like tone
Congas
Congas are untuned percussion. They are tall, narrow single-headed Cuban drums made from hollow logs.
Can be played with the fingers or the palm of the hands. Bongos
Bongos are untuned percussion instruments. They consist of 2 single-head drums of Cuban origin which are paired together. Each drum is the same height but of a different diameter and pitch
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Latin American Dances
Below are some dances associated with Latin American Music.
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Caribbean Music
Steel Band
Originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930’s. Consists mainly of tuned percussion instruments made of heads of oil drums which are hammered to obtained different notes.They are played with a pair of pansticks.
The videos opposite are of the method used to make steel drums and a performance from a steel band competition champion. |
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Reggae
A style of popular music originating from Jamaica in the 1960’s. The music has 4 beats in a bar and features strong accents on the 2nd and 4th beats.
The Bass Guitar patterns are usually syncopated and have as much interest as the melodies.
The Bass Guitar patterns are usually syncopated and have as much interest as the melodies.
Features of Reggae
Below are some musical concepts commonly associated with Reggae.
Riff/OstinatoA melodic or rhythmic phrase 2-4 bars in length repeated over and over again, throughout part or all of a piece of music
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Syncopation
A rhythmic effect which places an accent on the weaker beats of the music.
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Listen for the riff and syncopation in the song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley.
Bob Marley
A well-known Reggae song-writer and performer who was actively involved in the Rastafarian religious movement. The Lyrics of his songs often make strong comments about political issues and social injustice.
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World Music Quiz
Now that you have completed the world music unit, try out the world music quiz. Just click on the picture.
