The Influence Of Music In Latin American Culture

Spanish-language music enhances the development of self-identity of students in a university setting where the music is uncommon because music builds on culture and makes students more aware of their culture and their roots. In “Reclaiming Latino Identity: An Attitudinal Study of the Influence of Rock En Español on Latino Cultural Identity,” Elisa Sahagan notes that the genre of music has assisted Latinos to maintain Spanish-speaking skills and brought them closer to their culture (1). One reason being is it is a crucial part of shaping individuals’ identities. Listening to Spanish-language music assists Latino students to maintain a balance and shape their identities. First, Spanish-language music, such as Norteñas and Corridos, tell stories

In Latin American countries, they have a very unique culture. With their holidays, music, celebrations, and art, the countries in Latin America never cease to bring joy in people’s lives. Latin American culture is vastly different than other cultures in many ways. In Latin America, the languages of Spanish and Portuguese are dominant and most people speak them. However there are people who speak other languages as well. Latin America includes nineteen countries and several territories. There are a variety of different ethnicities in Latin America including Mexicans, Europeans, and Asians. Education inside the Latin American culture still struggles. Only a little more than half of kids ages 13-17 advance into secondary school. Because of this, the crime and violence rates in Latin America are at an all time high. These countries have been rated as one of the most dangerous regions in the world because of how high the rates of crime and violence are.

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

There many types of music in this world today. In this essay I will be discussing the music of Merengue and salsa. I will also be comparing them, and telling you about each of them individually.

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.

Latin Dance has evolved into a vivid kaleidoscope of many different cultures dancing to the beat of a single drum. These types of music which find their origin in African influence have developed into a meshwork of individual sounds and have grown to be identified with a particular culture. An example of such can be seen in the evolution and history of one of these, Merengue. This type of dance is native to the Carribean, however, it has developed and taken its precedence in the Dominican Republic. This Carribean nation has been crucial to the spread of this music on an international level.

How did Cuba and Brazil affect popular music, culture and dance in the 1940’s and 50’s? In this investigation I am going to establish what affects Cuba and Brazil had on popular music and dance. The first thing I’m going to do is discover how the music from Cuba and Brazil spread to America, the center of music. While doing my research I will be looking at what types of music were popular in Cuba and Brazil during the 40’s and 50’s as well as how these types of music affected American popular music. Two of the sources I used in this essay, Latin Music USA and Music in Brazil will then be evaluated. To

What is Puerto Rican music like? Where did it develop, and around when did it develop? What makes it up? These are very valid questions for someone who does not know anything about Puerto Rican music or Latin music in general. To understand Puerto Rican music and what it means to Puerto Rican people in general, you must look at the beginning.

Los Angeles doesn't have its signature type of Salsa. Bands here adopt the classical Puerto Rican music. The dancing style moves are both exciting and sexy. In Cuba, the type of Salsa is called Timba. The movement is fast influenced by Afro Cuban music. Musicians blend in the popular Reggae and Pop music in between the breaks. The dancing style is called "Casino" simply because when it was started it was played in gambling joints or casinos. One notable difference is that Cuban Salsa is circular rather than linear. The man keeps moving around the woman. The Columbians have maintained their Salsa Dura up-to-date. The dancing style is spectacular with a swift movement of feet and tight spins. The dancers stay close; bodies almost touching. The West Africans also have their Salsa. Traditional music instruments are relied upon to give the rhythm. The dancing style is what they call Salsa Mbalax more African than Latino. Some contemporary Salsa musicians are:

Multiple Mexicans had moved to Chicago to work in factories created to build cars, or at least parts for vehicles. Additionally, they came in dense numbers to border states like Texas, California, and Arizona. Alongside this, television became even more popular as it relayed big news and entertained many more crowds. Not only that, but music played a major role in influencing the people with their multiple genres.

Salsa did not come from just one place or person, it is a mix of multiple cultures as well as peoples creativity. When Spain found the Caribbean during the 1400’s, they later brought African slaves also. The merge of such two different musical and dancing styles from the Spanish and African community merged with the native community has given us what we now understand as salsa. The evaluation of salsa that is danced in clubs today has taken many years and been a long

In Philip J. Deloris’s Music chapter from his book “Indians in unexpected places” he talks about the influence that Native Americans had in music. Exploring how traditional Native music and modernity fused together. The new fusion leads to new expectations being placed on Native Americans. Native children at boarding school came out having were learning how to play new musical instruments. At the same time through music the boarding schools were trying to assimilate the Native children. He goes on to talk about Tsianina Red Feather and the impact she had on her audiences. She attracted people from all over to her performances because “her authenticity was the show’s most valuable commodity” (210). Showing that audiences wanted to see real Natives not people pretending to them.

Salsa Is a mixed music type. Spanish cancion, guitar and Afro-Cuban percussion – clave, maracas, conga, bongo, tambura, bato, cowbell - merged with North-American music styles, like jazz. It incorporates elements of Rock, R&B and funk occasionally. The vibraphone,

Origins and routines of bachata music and dance Latin America is rife with cultural and social traditions that can be traced back generations. Many of these traditions have roots in the grandeur and hardship of the societies from which they spawned. The bachata denomination of dance and music came from the Dominican Republic, and bears scars from the hardships of rural life. Over a span of about fifty years the genre has grown from songs passed from player to player and played in brothels and informal party’s, to a respected genre with a host of listeners and dancers. Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic in the wake of the regime of Rafael Trujillo in 1961.

“¡Qué rico bailo yo!” which translates to “How well I dance!” is the epitome of the confidence and spirit of Cuban music . In order for a person to understand the rhythm and beat of Cuban music, one must first understand Cuban’s history.