Cierres

pengamino

pengamino

Changui
I have always been fascinated by rhythm breaks, especially in salsa music. This was reinforced when I visited Trinidad, Cuba a few years back. It seemed like many of the groups used this technique more than those I had heard in other parts of the island. (Havana, Santiago etc.)

I am trying to find more information on utilizing cierres in salsa arrangements. Where are the most common parts of the tune to implement this technique. e.g. just before or after the montuno or elsewhere? It seems that there is a lot of freedom to the rhythmical phrases and placement, but I wondered if there were special principles to apply for greater effect and adherence to tradition. Most of the rhythmic ideas I have explored in the past include references to the clave, cascara, call and response, ponche, and bombo) Perhaps there are harmonic or melodic ideas as well ?

Please forward your favourite songs that include cierres. Here are a couple of mine.

Ruben Blades Buscando America
at 1:08 and 5:45
Eddie Palmieri Congo Yambumba
at 2:41 and 3:38.
 
It's very common in Cuban music IMO, but I can't speak to regular salsa. Usually in Cuban music it will be after the montuno when things heat up but it can also be at the beginning of a song like your Buscando America example.
 
timberamayor said:
It's very common in Cuban music IMO, but I can't speak to regular salsa. Usually in Cuban music it will be after the montuno when things heat up but it can also be at the beginning of a song like your Buscando America example.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your comments. Some of my Cuban friends and I have started a Facebook page called "The Cierre Project." Feel free to share your favourite recordings of rhythm breaks there as well. I will be adding more in the coming weeks.
 
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