Music of Latin America “¡Viva México!”

In This Unit, We Will… Explore the geography of areas with Latin American music Explore the instruments used in Latin American music Listen to music from different Latin American cultures, populations, and religious groups Sing songs from Mexico and other Latino regions

“What Will I Be Doing?” You will be doing three different things… #1: Creating connections between content areas – Geography, History, Art, Technology, and Music #2: Listening to new music that you may never have heard before #3: Learning melodies, harmonies, and rhythms from different cultures

Geography Latin America includes… South America and those parts of the Americas colonized by the Spanish and the Portuguese Mexico Central America The Caribbean Brazil Argentina Chile

Languages Spoken Spanish is the “principal language” Portuguese Native American languages European Over 420 languages!

Religions Roman Catholic Christianity of the majority, those Protestant religions are appearing more and more. Even though the Roman Catholic faith has its own religious practices (prayers, hymns, mass, etc), indigenous practices still work their way into their services. Many indigenous communities still practice their own religions, worships multiple gods and goddess, or even Catholic Saints. One indigenous religion, called “CANDOMBLE,” uses three drums and an iron bell to summon “OXOSSI,” an African god, to descent into their body. Oxossi takes on many different forms, including many Catholic saints. 7

Characteristics of Latin American Music European influences African influences Indigenous People Of Bolivia Where their was strong, political presence before the time of the European invasion, indigenous cultures and religions were especially influential. African influences were especially focused in the Caribbean and in other coastal regions (near the water). As the population mixed, different music arose. 8

Characteristics of Latin American Music HARMONY: Took folk melodies and popular music and adopted European harmonies, like guitar strumming Parallel Thirds: Singers and instrumentalists added a second melody two scale steps away Distinct Dance Rhythms: Music they can dance to! What is our definition of HARMONY?: Different pitches played at the same time Latino dances: Habanera, sesquialtera, tango, samba, rumba Left – Tango Right – Rumba 9

Harmony Took folk melodies and popular music and adopted European harmonies, like guitar strumming Lots of ORNIMATION (extra little decorative notes) Instrumentalists alternate between chords and rhythmic phrases (example: strum, strum, pick, pick, pick, strum, strum) Spoke of their culture in their songs (folk)

“Sisquistrí” Solo harp, six-course Spanish guitar, lead singer and chorus TRANSLATION: “All the little flowers with the captivating faces, We dedicate this beautiful verse to you From these poor singers. I have a nice wish to tell you the truth… Because when I see you, you turn your head away If you do it because I am ugly, complain to my mother! No woman is ugly when she dresses and she dances and the dance platform sways this way in our land!” TRADITIONAL MEXICAN FOLK MUSIC. Very fast paced music. This song does not always use the harp. If no harp, a trumpet may be substituted but the melody is simplified (even a really great trumpet players can’t tongue as fast as a good harpest can pluck). 11

Parallel Thirds Singers and instrumentalists add a second melody two scale steps away “Escualo” Solo violin, cello strumming the parallel third, light percussion ESCUALO IS A TANGO with a solo violin, strumming cello in parallel thirds, and some light percussion – perhaps rhythm sticks or tapping on the cello 12

Distinct Dance Rhythms Music they can dance to! African drumming had a BIG influence on Latin American culture Dances were used in everyday life in Africa and mixed well with their celebratory use in South American culture Tango Dancing Competion Adele "Someone Like You" Rumba Dance Competition TANGO and RUMBA, both types of MUSIC and DANCES 13

Other Types of Music Samba –Originated from the “Brazilian Carnival,” translates to mean “dance circle.” Carmen Miranda – Famous Brazilian actress Bossa Nova – Derived from the Samba, more harmonic and less percussive SAMBA LINK: Samba band with clips of life in Brazil CARMEN MIRANDA: Weekend in Havana BOSSA NOVE: Percussion Instruction video 14

Latin American Instruments INDIGENOUS INSTRUMENTS: Wooden flutes, drums, and rattles EUROPEAN INSTRUMENTS: Chordophone (guitar), harp, trumpet, clarinet, accordion, and saxophone AFRICAN INSTRUMENTS: Idiophone (bells), many types of drums (conga, bongos, claves, timbales), and the marimba The INDIGENOUS people had flutes carved from wood or bone, drums made from animal hide, and lots of different shakers and rattles. The EUROPEANS brought not only harmony, but instruments to help the indigenous people make harmony – MANY different types of guitars, from 2 to 12 strings, bass guitars, violins, the harp. BRASS INSTRUMENTS and WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS also became very popular and are now a common element of Latin American music. AFRICAN INSTRUMENTS included many types of drums and bells, especially the marimba, a large set of bells carved from wood. 15

Indigenous Instruments Wooden flutes, drums, and rattles South American Tribal Flute South American Street Performers

European Instruments Chordophone (guitar), harp, trumpet, clarinet, accordion, and saxophone

African Instruments The Marimba Super Mario Bros Theme Hedwig's Theme

A Short Presentation Anthony Ybarra Presentation at the University of California Santa Barbara African American Rhythms in Latin American Music (26.34 minutes)