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Spanish music is totally different than what we hear in the US. Spanish music ranges in several styles. Although it is something we rarely think about or listen to Spanish music is quite spectacular, with the way the words flow within us to the way it grabs our attention and never lets us forget the real meaning of Spanish music.
Spanish music originated in Spain first with the Flamenco and the classical guitar, but Spain has also produced big time Spanish singers such as Enrique Iglesias with his hit song Bailando. Spanish music has played a huge role in the development of western classical music. Spanish music originated from the sounds of the tunes from the Mediterranean area to the music all across Europe. Music was a big part of
Den Tandt, Catherine and Richard A. Young. “Tradition and transformation in Latin American music.” The Cambridge Companion to Modern Latin American Culture. Ed. John King. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Spain is in the southwestern part of Europe and to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. There are a large variety of fruits and vegetables grown in Spain. Food From Spain lists peaches, cherries, ioquats, apricots, nectarines, plums, apples, pears, grapes, wheat, and olives as fruits grown in Spain. There are also many others, but these specific fruits are only from Spain. A Melocoton de Calanda is a Spanish peach found in northeastern Spain. Cerezas de la Montana de Alicante is a sweet red cherry found in the jerte Valley in Extremadura of Spain. Ioquats are sweet, slightly acidic, and have a strong leathery skin. Certain types of apricots, nectarines, and plums also come from Spain. Apples from Asturias, Castile-Leon, and Catalonia of northern Spain are “generally considered superior (foodfromspain).” Pears are originally from Asia Minor, but grow well in inland Spain. Grapes, wheat, and olives play a major role in Spanish cuisine as well. Grapes are used for wine and oil. Olives are in abundance and are eaten and used for oil. Olive oil serves many uses in Spanish cuisine.
The history of the mariachi can be traced back to the sixteenth century and the days of the Spanish colonization. During this time, theatre was immensely popular. The instruments used in these theatrical productions included violins, guitars, and harps. It was to this time, and to these instruments, that the origins of the modern mariachi can be traced (Mexico, The Melting of Two Cultures, 1991).
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, a form of Mexican folk music called the corrido gained popularity along the Mexico-Texan border (Saldívar). Growing from the Spanish romance tradition, the corrido is a border ballad “that arose chronicling the history of border conflicts and its effects on Mexican-Mexican culture” (Saldívar). A sort of “oral folk history,” the corrido was studied intensely by Américo Paredes, who then constructed his masterpiece, George Washington Gomez, around the “context and theme” of the corrido (Mendoza 146). But the novel is not a traditional corrido, in which the legendary hero defends his people and dies for his honor. Instead, through its plot, characterization, and rhetorical devices, George Washington Gomez is an anti-corrido.
Hispanic food traditions in Spain are more “sacred and ritualistic” than American food traditions. They eat garbanzos, gazpacho, picadillos, pisto chock, eggplant, nisperos, higos chumbos, etc. It’s very common to eat fruit for a dessert. For breakfast it’s a no-no to eat eggs, instead its fruit or toast. Cereal is okay to eat if you’re a kid. Lunch is their main meal, and usually is a three-course meal. After lunch a la siesta takes place, which is a rest period usually for about two hours after eating. For snacks, Hispanics may have a pastry, muffin, or maybe chocolate milk. Dinner is usually a light meal. They have a somewhat strict eating
During the Enlightenment in Europe and The Americas the Hispanic Baroque that covers from the year 1600 to the year 1750 approximately. This time period, as opposed to the Renaissance, was an era where the feelings of distrust, disappointment, and pessimism was always present. A very important and recognized author of the Hispanic Baroque was Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz because of her defense of women’s intellectual rights against men (Puchner, 68). Sor Juana is mostly known for her Respuesta a Sor Filotea, which where she defends women to receive an education, and to be treated equally. During the Hispanic Baroque there were ethical, moral, and social aspects or issues. An ethical aspect was self representation, but because people wanted to make themselves a better representation there was a lack of modesty. A moral aspect of that time period was that men were to be
Music comes in many shapes and forms, and has been a magical element of inspiration and encouragement throughout time. The art of music derives from many different things, such as culture and traditions. One such type of music is mariachi music, deriving from Mexican culture and traditions. Mariachi music is often an upbeat rhythm, consisting of a band of up to six to eight violins, two trumpets and a guitar. Unlike modern music and other music bands alike, mariachi bands lack in numbers when it comes to band size. Though they are small, their music brings great significance and life to the places they perform and the people that they touch with their joyous music. In this paper, I will be comparing the culture and style of mariachi music to twentieth century modern music.
In Cuba itself, music and dance are so essential to national character that you can not disentangle them from the country’s history. “The story of Latin jazz music is thus one of religions and revolutions, power and liberation, the collision of civilization”. In the United States we can never completely understand our own music, without referencing it to Cuban music. There are various characteristics that can define Latin jazz, ranging from the savant grade to more popular forms. Some forms of popular music that most people are familiar with would have to be the mambo, salsa, cha-cha, and afro-Cuban jazz.
The first main difference in Spanish countries is food traditions. Most of the food there is ritualistic and sacred. With the different foods that they have, they have different
Music is essential to any culture. Its a vital part of being human and can significantly impact our lives. No matter where one is from, music is an escape that everyone seeks because they can relate to it. This social link keeps us tied to the world, even with different cultures and languages. Afro-Latinos have helped shape the music in America, many times with help from other cultures. Many types of music Hispanics have produced have impacted the United States. One of these types of music is named Bachata. Hispanics in the US have helped shape bachata, even though it originated in the Dominican Republic. With its profound lyrics many can relate to, its catchy rhythm and simple dance, bachata is as popular in the US as it is in Central America. In the 1980s and 1990s, the growing Dominican population in the United States became an important fan base for bachata. Dominican Yorks influence of traditional bachata with the artistic and cultural diversity of life in New York, making bachata one of the fastest growing music genres of the 21st century (Pacini Hernandez.)
Every country has their own culture, and like other cultures, Spain too has its own specific culture. Part of the Spanish culture revolves around the bull. Bullfighting and bull runs by many people are recognized as the only Spanish culture in the world, and because of its importance it always begins on time. Still many people view it as a crime. Me being a foreigner I have first hand experience with different cultures. A long time ago in India’s ritual would be to hunt and kill the Indian tiger. Over time the Indian tiger became endangered and now they have become illegal to hunt. When I saw my great great grandfathers hunting pictures he had two tiger heads. Both rituals of bullfighting and hunting tigers are an inseparable culture for both countries. Thus, the Spanish culture revolves around the bull and will continue revolving around the bull forever.
Latin music has its root in the Moorish culture. This culture emerged when Christopher Columbus came to conquer the new world and he brought with him Moorish slaves into Latin America. The Moorish culture spread its rhythm and sounds among other countries. Its rhythm distinguished its music between other cultures. Moorish descendants used drums and songs in a way to communicate each other. After years, this music spread through all the islands of the Carribean making it their unique musical culture. Each Latin American country adopted some sounds from the Moorish to made their own style. (Revels-Bey)
To list a few, the Latin American music culture includes Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia, Brazil, and many others further south. However, the geographic area of the Latin American culture extends far past North and South America as there are influences from Africa and Europe (Thomas, 2011). These influences come following many historical events, such as Slavery in the eighteenth-century, the colonization from Britain. As a result of Latin-America having such a vast geographical footprint, the music culture is very diverse. Having multiple different cultures mixed into one, enculturation is bound to happen.
As for table manners, Spaniards use fork and knife at all times, never their hands. For example, a slice of pizza or perhaps a hamburger would be eaten with a fork and a knife. In addition, there is something called “sobremesa” which is quite sacred in Spanish culture and is a period of time after eating where guests remain at the table to chat. One very famous custom of Spain is their Tapas. Beginning in the southern city of Seville, Spaniards have been perfecting their Tapas for some time now. Tapas are small Spanish plates that tend to go with wines and beers and are usually consumed with friends hopping from one Tapa bar to the other. Food is a very important component to the Spanish culture and is enjoyed among friends, family, and strangers alike.
For me personally, music appreciation is defined as looking at different pieces of music and musical forms, and learning to find appreciation for them. This appreciation is formed not only by listening to several pieces of music, but by learning to understand what you may be listening too. This involves introducing yourself to many pieces of music and learning to interpret, what makes each piece different and unique. Understanding the historical background and societal changes that have taken place during the creation of the musical piece, is also an important factor to consider. Music is not only creative, but it also makes up part of a societies history. Music is an art form that connects different societies and cultures together, it possess the amazing ability to make us into one.