Different Styles of Latin Music

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Salsa, tango, and bachata have very different historic backgrounds, but come from the same culture. Latin music is popular for various genres in Latin America, mainly in Cuba, and is unique for the type of rhythmic structure it builds. The music is so alive that is pulls at the feet and hips of dancers, driving them to the dance floor. When dancing to the music their hips sway in time, and their feet mark the beat. If people did not grow up with this type of music, its complex rhythms can be intimidating.

Salsa is a word that inspires Latin music lovers everywhere. The reason why it’s called salsa is because it’s “hot” and “spicy”. The salsa that is eaten in Latin America is added to spice up food, but DJ’s, bandleaders, and musicians started yelling “salsa!” when introducing an energetic musical act. There are debates about where the birth place of salsa is. Some say it is from Cuba because of the traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms; some say that it is from New York, New York because of all the traveling Latin musicians do. A Latin musician summed up their general feelings when asked about the thought of salsa by replying: “I’m a musician, not a cook.” (Tito Puente) There are musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and South America going to New York to perform. Bringing their own native rhythms and musical forms with them, but as they listened to each other and played music together, the musical influences mixed, fused, and evolved. The music went back to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and South America and evolved there. It evolved a little differently in each place, so that today we have Cuban salsa, Puerto Rican salsa, and Columbian salsa. All different kinds of salsa are driving, electric energy that is the main sound of salsa, but also have d...

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...Latin music has produced a variety of genres in Latin America. It includes the music of all the countries in Latin America. There are many diverse styles, one of which is Afro-American, meaning African and indigenous music fused. Latin music also absorbed influences from English and American music. The music is so intense and energetic a dancers’ body could not help, but step on the dance floor and dance the night away.

Works Cited
History of salsa." Musica Latina-The portal of Latin Music, Reviews, Information, Concerts, Festivals, Workshops. 11 July 2009. 9 Oct. 2009

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"Dances-history of bachata dance-bachata music." Learn to dance with DanceCrazy, the definitive collection of dance videos. Learn Ballroom dancing, learn Salsa dancing, and any other Latin dance. 9 Oct. 2009 .

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