Salsa Central

[terence]

This is an English site and has some very good music articles among other things.

It also has posted my articles ( there is an amended one due shortly, with a little more info ) . Hope you enjoy

[torqueo]

Here's the link to the article;
http://www.salsa-central.com/articles/features/the-tt-articles-perception-and-reality-mambo-to-salsa-music-to-dance.html

Thanks to Terence for allowing us to post it - a very interesting read!!

[terence]

On line on Salsa Central as of Mar 2nd

[terence]

Now posted on Salsa Central

Just type in Salsa Central.. will lead you to site and article

[opm1s6]

just read your second article, which actually answered some of the questions I pmed you with. Thanks so much btw for answering them. I found the article to be very enlightening, however I'd love if we could have some musical examples...for instance the difference between guajira, son, cha-cha.

I feel like your articles were trying to put all arguments to rest and finally get all the facts on paper, however without musical examples I think a novice would still be lost. I'm lost and I understand the difference between guajira and cha-cha and only because I listened to two songs and compared them to hear the difference.

you give a good way of diciphering cha versus guajira, but is it accurate to describe son as continuous repating 3 accents across two beats where the second and third accents are syncopated...ie. 1 2n 3 4n 5 6n 7 8n correct?

you mention that Bolero used this SQQ step, while salsa/mambo was QQS, can you apply this terminology to son?

My confusion begins when guaracha, danzon, and when people reference son montuno sections of song and their inter-relation to one another and then which came from what. basically a family tree for latin rhythms

Great article

[terence]

, however I'd love if we could have some musical examples...for instance the difference between guajira, son, cha-cha.

two songs and compared them to hear the difference.

you give a good way of diciphering cha versus guajira, but is it accurate to describe son as continuous repating 3 accents across two beats where the second and third accents are syncopated...ie. 1 2n 3 4n 5 6n 7 8n correct?

you mention that Bolero used this SQQ step, while salsa/mambo was QQS, can you apply this terminology to son?

My confusion begins when guaracha, danzon, and when people reference son montuno sections of song and their inter-relation to one another and then which came from what. basically a family tree for latin rhythms





Para 1... One of the best ( there are many ) is the last release by Cachao " Ahora Si Cachao "
It even has a titled song " Guajira Clasica " that clearly defines the sycop. rhythm of a Guajira.
As to Cha,s,, there are many e.g.... pretty much all of todays compositions are written in that style . For classic Cha.. Machito,s " Un Poquito de To Amor ", on his "Relax and Mambo" album .We could also add to this a Guapacha rhythm which is used occasionally in Cha .

Para 2....
First and foremost " Son " is a time signature .. done in 4/6, it also was developed into a " style " of dance that is based upon the original form of Mambo.. so.. if one is syncop. the rhythm ( as in Son Guajira ) then yes, there is a " joining " of 2 notes as in for e.g...,.1/2 note 1/4 note 1/2 note ( 1 and 2.. 3 and 4 etc ) . The original " Son " style music, was Folk ( developed by Teodoro Gines 1600s ) She apparently wrote some very famous songs in that genre.

para 3... One may apply a rhythm count to ANY dance form.. it only defines the amount of time we are applying to each step, upon which we choose to dance ,within that bar of music. By changing " speed " if you will, to the various changes within a piece, is what dancing musically is all about .. the light and dark shades.


The musical characteristics you query .. Guaguanco ( a 2/3 Clave ) for e.g. is just a passage in the composition that becomes highlighted by a strong polyrhythmic " explosion " if you will.
Montuno is probably the easiest.. usually a highlighted Piano sequence with syncop repeats ( my fave ! ), can also be a vocal section with a lead singer

Guaracha ( the original form of Rumba in a 3/2 clave like Montuno ) is very common in older styles of Mambo...

Here are e.g. of Guaguanco and Guaracha, both by T. Rodriguez

El Vivo Bien , and , Bilongo .

Lastly.. as to which came from what.. they are all variants from a basic concept of " Son "..
the various musical "styles " I believe, became somewhat obscured when the Jazz element started to dominate the genre with heavy style Descarga .
The 40s/ 50s Mambo music has much clearer defintions .

Its never easy defining rhythms by the written word.. knowing what to listen for in music, is really the only way to get a true picture .

[opm1s6]

thanks terence