Salsa and merengue
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the core features of salsa and merengue and can recreate a salsa groove.
Key learning points
- Salsa and merengue are popular forms of music and dance that both use Latin percussion and syncopated rhythms.
- Key features of salsa include the piano montuno, tresillo bass pattern and son clave rhythm.
- Salsa often uses a large band, similar to a Western jazz ‘big band’ with saxophones, brass, and a rhythm section.
- Merengue typically has a smaller group, using traditional Dominican instruments such as the tambora.
- The quintillo is a defining rhythmic pattern in merengue.
Keywords
Salsa - Salsa is a style of music and dance that developed from Cuban son music.
Montuno - A montuno is a syncopated, repeating piano pattern that is typical of salsa.
Tresillo - The tresillo is a three-note rhythm that is the same as the ‘3’ of the son clave.
Merengue - Merengue is a style of music and dance from the Dominican Republic that often uses traditional Dominican instruments.
Quintillo - A quintillo is a rhythmic pattern of five fast notes that is a typical feature of merengue.
Common misconception
Latin dance music all sounds the same.
Many of the styles of music from this region include similar features, such as syncopated rhythms, Latin percussion, Spanish lyrics etc. However, they all have distinct differences that allow us to tell the different traditions apart.
Teacher tip
For students who find the montuno task straightforward, encourage them to explore the montuno patterns using different chords. They could create a pattern and use it on, for example, E minor, A minor and C major chords in alternate bars.
Equipment
Piano/keyboard, bass and latin percussion instruments; or DAW.
Licence
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