Pros And Cons Of Latin Music

The genre bachata was developed in the Caribbean island of Dominican Republic. This genre was created based on boleros (slow-tempo Latin music), son cubanos, waltzes, Mexican music and merengue. Bachata is well known as love and depressing songs in which many people describe them self with this genre. At one point back in the earlier 1960s, bachata was considered vulgar and low-class. “Acceptance of the music has increased significantly in the last two decades, although some dominicans, both individuals living on the island and stateside, still do not accept the music because of the implication of its lower-class origins and associations with such themes as crime, poverty, drinking, and prostitution’’(Stavans 47). The genre Bachata has spread and grown so quickly for the past few years that is has become very famous in the United States, Europe, China, and South America. The genre bachata is well known to attract people with its lyrics, instruments, and dance since it identifies many people with real life events.

Latino students are able to stay connected to the stories that their parents know and their grandparents know. In addition, music is significant because it helps to have the feeling of home and aware of one’s feelings and thoughts. Moreno also explains, "Everything that happens in our society is reflected in music and people don't really stop to think about that. For example, in the last five years, there has been a rise in Narco Corridos coming out of México and that can be attributed to the record levels of violence we so often hear about on television” (6). Thus, through Spanish-language music students in universities are informed of issues currently going on in the world, particularly of places they know very well. They are informed of the hardships that are going around and music has much of a tremendous impact in creating the way people view their culture. Much of Spanish-language music tell of current events or of romanticism. These are crucial in constructing identity. It influences whether students will act upon the current events based on the music or they will be influenced to gather romantic

Starting with the style of music labeled as Salsa. There is a lot of debate when it comes to the origin of salsa music. Some say it comes from Cuba, others Puerto Rico or even New York. Even with this, salsa is still deeply rooted in Puerto Rican and Cuban culture. Salsa is one if not the most popular style of music to dance to in many Hispanic communities. According to an article titled ‘History of salsa music & dance’, salsa’s roots

There are multitudinous types of Chicano music that include all types of instruments, verses, backgrounds, and purposes. According to Tatum (2001), “The popular Hispanic folk music has deep roots in Spain and Mexico, but it is a living cultural form that is forever changing and adapting to new social conditions and musical currents (Robb 1980, 5)” (p.15). Modernization also plays a key role in the diversion of Chicano music. For example, as new instruments were being invented, they were then incorporated into the music, making it sound more different and attractive. The types of Chicano music range from romance which could narrate an event, corridos, which was a form of cultural differentiation, alabanzas, which were specifically religious, and the canción, in which lovers expressed their deep adoration for each other (Tatum 2001). If a man who was lost in his woman’s eyes wanted to choose a song for their

Salsa also can be known for the most familiar and biggest impact form of music from Puerto Rico. Salsa is a big part of Latin pop music. (Centralhome) There is no real evidence has to who invented salsa music. (Centralhome) Most of the cultures that do listen to salsa music are the Cubans or Puerto Ricans. (Centralhome) Many people of the Latin culture feels that the salsa really gathers the feeling of many emotions into

In my personal experience, Mexican music has revolved around my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a bordertown has its Hispanic heritage. Whether I was at home, school, or even in public places, I would hear Spanish related music playing in the background. I believe Spanish music holds many values when it comes to different occasions. The music can manipulate the minds of its listeners using love, passion, and outstanding rhythms. After reading an article online, I can explain how three different genres of traditional Mexican music influence people’s culture.

Hispanic’s music had a great impact in USA. Nowadays, Americans listen to Hispanics’ music. Hispanics’ music now is part of American’s culture. These changes in USA began around of 19th century, when Hispanics immigration increases in the USA. One of the big changes in music occurred around 1940s, when Americans began to recognize the efforts of Cuban-American musicians. One of the Cuban bands was Cugat. It was known better Orchestra ‘based in New York’s Waldorf Astoria’ which had a great visual and musical style. Another Cuban band was Machito who were dominated as one of the best New York’s scenes at that time. Thanks, to those bans Americans adopted some of Cubans’ dances and performances such as rumba, mambo and cumbia. Americans used and still using the Cuban instruments like bongos and maracas to create their rhythms. Later on, Americans created Jazz by African Americans with the influenced of Cuban’s music.

Each type or sub-genre of music has a quite distinct sound and can be related to the racial groups of these areas and to the history of Chile.

Whenever I spend time with my family, music permeates the place. Producing a relaxing, peaceful environment, the slow, Salvadoran cumbia differs from the upbeat, Puerto Rican salsa and reggaeton which create a convivial, dancing atmosphere. Soaking in the mumbling music as they casually converse and dine, my Salvadoran family contrasts with my Puerto Rican family. Initiated by yelling “WEPA” and demanding dancing, the music couldn’t even restrain my ailing, wheelchair-bounded great-grandmother from

This paper will be comparing and contrasting Merengue Tipico music, which is a type of merengue, and bachata music of the Dominican Republic. Merengue and Bachata are the two most popular music genres in the Dominican Republic. These two kinds of music represent the Dominican Republic and its people. Many Dominicans have taken their music and traditions to different parts of the world. Mainly, the Bachata and Merengue have expanded to different cities of the United States and Latin America. Although both genres have a lot of characteristics in common, they also have many differences. Two of the main differences these two genres have are the instrumentation and their artists and composers.

One can see why the elite of the island did not see Bomba as a typical Puerto Rican music. It originated from Africa and no one wants to be associated with them. But this is clearly racism and classicism at work here, for upon hearing this type of music you can not do anything but feel the powerful beat. You get into the call-and-response interaction, because not too many types of music have interaction between the musicians and the audience.

Puerto Rican music is an evolving art form that expresses Puerto Rican culture and identity. The development of Puerto Rican music is also a reflection of their history, both being complicated by several layers. Social, political, and economic conditions are all related to the musical expressions of Puerto Ricans (Glasser, 8). Puerto Rican migration to the United States and the culture clash experienced by migrants is another layer complicating the evolution of Puerto Rican music (Glasser, 199). Musical expression has been affected by every aspect of life for the Puerto Ricans and therefore is an illustration of the Puerto Rican experience.

The main aspects that have changed: the instrumentation, the style, the tempo, and the dance movements. The time signatures of the two types of cumbias are the start of where the change begins. The basics of Colombian cumbia are described as, “Its essential elements, the tambor drums and enormous gaita flutes, combine to give the music a rolling, infectious 2/4 beat… (Morales 253) .” In Mexico, “the cumbia is a very popular modern dance in 4/4 from Colombia… (Nevin 137)” Jackie Garcia, born in Mexico but raised in the United States, says when listening to the two types she can tell them apart by the speed of the music. “The Colombian cumbia and Mexican cumbia are different because the Colombian cumbia goes a lot faster. It’s marked faster by the tempo compared to the Mexican one (Garcia, Jackie).” Not only has the tempo changed but also the instrumentation which leads to a style variation, from very rhythmically based feel to a lighter, smoother feel. “The Colombian music is heavy on the tambora, a type of drum, while the Mexican style emphasizes trumpets and horns (Wisner 65)” With the style change also brings a difference in dance technique. The Colombian cumbia was heavily influenced by the African and indigenous peoples, giving the dance focus in the hips, with a swaying movement. The Mexican dance may get confused with other genres such as salsa, because the main aspect of the

Though Flamenco has very much been acquired by Arabs, Indians, Jews, Gypsies and the Africans the source of flamenco dance lies in the singing and guitar traditions. Originally, the guitar served as the companion of flamenco dances. Today flamenco guitar has developed into its own art. Like many other music forms and styles, flamenco has recently been mixed with jazz, blues, rock and pop music. This form is embraced by younger people but discarded by a somewhat older "purists."

From this came a mix of cultures and eventually the creation of the Tango. Although it can't be proven that this is its exact origin this is the theory that is most logical. The relentless rhythms that the African slaves, the candombe, beat on their drums (known as tan-go); the popular music of the pampas (flatlands) known as the milonga, which combined Indian rhythms with the music of early Spanish colonists; and other influences, including Latin. Some say the word "tango" comes from the Latin word tangere (to touch.) It was the dance of sorrow. It speaks with body language. More then just frustrated love, it is also said to speak of death and pain. It was the perfect dance for social outcasts; it epitomized their feelings about their life.