=Causeway Performing Arts=

GCSE Music AoS 3: Dance Music (Vol. 3)Salsa

in conjunction with www.musicdepartment.info

Salsa was developed in New York during the 1960s and 70s, by Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants living in the city. Salsa is largely based on the Cuban genre called Son, the origins of which we will need to understand before thinking about Salsaʼs development.

The Spanish arrived in Cuba at the end of the 15th century and promptly enslaved the local population. After the native Americans had died out (probably through disease), the Spanish brought in African slaves to work on the land instead. The integration of AFricans and Spaniards led to the formation of ʻSonʼ. African elements (such as call-and-response singing and a strong emphasis on rhythm) were fused with Spanish elements (such as the use of the Spanish language and a Spanish guitar called a tres).

In the 1930s and 40s Cuban musicians introduced Son to America. In the Cuban and Puerto Rican communities in New York, Son was combined with a variety of musical styles - the most popular of which was Jazz, but also elements of rock, pop, Puerto Rican music and other Cuban dances - to create Salsa. Salsa quickly became very popular and spread to Latin American countries such as Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela.

Did you know that the name Salsa literally means ʻsauceʼ? It is thought that the word was first used by the Cuban musician and band leader Ignacio Piñeiro, who would shout it out to his own band, asking them to play faster and with more heat, to spice up the music. (Latin American sauce is nearly always very spicy!)

Famous Salsa musicians include the drummer Tito Puente, the singer Celia Cruz and the pianist Eddie Palmieri.

What does the dance look like?

• Salsa is danced by partners (male and female). The basic position is an embrace similar to that used in the waltz or tango, but usually with the bodies not quite so close together - often the dancers will just hold hands.

• The basic steps consist of four-beat patterns. Dancers step forward and backward together, or out to the side and back. On top of this, turns, spins and holds are added in. The energetic nature of the dance reflects the energetic nature of the music. Like the tango, the upper body largely remains upright while the rhythm of the music is seen in the dancerʼs legs. Unlike the smooth, gliding three-step sequence of the waltz (with the flowing rise-and-fall movement), the steps in a salsa dance have much more energy to them, reflecting the short, syncopated rhythms of the music.

SALSA

BACKGROUND

Rhythm is a very important part of salsa music. The rhythm fundamental to salsa music is known as Son Clave (this rhythm came from son music, and is played on two wooden sticks called claves). There are two main variants, known as 2:3 and 3:2:

All other instruments in a salsa band fit in around this rhythm, which is commonly played for the duration of the chorus (if not throughout a whole piece) on the claves. You might come across salsa pieces in which you cannot hear the clave rhythm, but even when it is not being played it still forms the backbone of the music. The musicians will keep the clave rhythm in their head and make sure the parts fit in around it.

There is another characteristic salsa rhythm that is usually played by the piano. This is a highly syncopated four-bar rhythm, which the pianist will repeat as an ostinato throughout the chorus of piece. Here is an example of this rhythm based on the chord of F major. Can you see that most of what the pianist plays it off the beat?

Although the structure of salsa music is often varied, most pieces have an introduction, one or more verses and the chorus. Usually the chorus involves improvisation and call and response singing, in which the lead vocalist (sonero or pregon) will sing a short phrase that is then answered by the other musicians, as the chorus (choro).

Salsa bands usually consist of:

• a rhythm section (piano, bass and Patricia, including claves, cowbells, timbales and congas)

• Brass instruments and/or flutes (other woodwind and strings are less common but may also appear)

• a singer.

The percussion instruments create a strongly syncopated, polyrhythmic texture that drives the music forwards. The piano and bass add to this rhythm, at the same time outlining the harmony of the chords. The other instruments add in chords and fills, while the singer takes the main melody.

MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

As it is the rhythm that drives salsa music forwards, the melody and harmony are usually quite simple. Tonic, subdominant and dominant chords are most frequently used, although some salsa music contains more complex and jazzy harmony. Parallel thirds and sixths are characteristic features of much salsa music.

Listening ideas

Listen to and compare as much salsa music as you can. www.musicdepartment.info is a good place to start. Alternatively, many examples can be founds by typing Salsa Music into youtube.

As you listen tot he music, think about the following points:• Rhythm - can you make out the clave rhythm? How syncopated is the music? Is

the piano playing a typical Salsa pattern?• Structure - can you work out the structure to the music? Is there an instroduction,

verse(s) and chorus?• Melody - is there any call-and-response singing? Is the melody played in parallel

3rds or 6ths?• Instruments - what instruments can you hear? What roles do they all have?

Test yourself

1. In which city did Salsa originate?2. What Cuban genre was salsa primarily based on?3. Name a famous performer of salsa music.4. Describe four features of salsa music.