The audio samples included in this page were taken from an actual anthropos workshop.
To listen to these and more, go to the Media section of the anthropos website.


An Introduction to Latin Music
*  *  *  brought to you by Anthropos Music*  *  *  

The Performers:

Luis Guerra - bass, vocals
Angel Ibaņez - guitar, vocals
Rey Arteaga - percussion, vocals
David Pulkingham - guitar, vocals

*  *  *  This is by no means a complete, comprehensive demonstration of all Latin music. Music varies from country to country, and region to region all over the world. These are just a few examples of some of the distinctive styles found in parts of North America (Mexico), South America (Peru, Colombia, Brazil), and the Caribbean (Cuba).*  *  *  

In the early 1500's (the 16th century), people from Spain, Portugal, and several other European nations began coming to North America, South America, and the Caribbean in search of wealth and resources. On their way, they captured or "bought" many African slaves, whom they brought with them. This went on for several hundred years.

As a result, the populations of these places today consist of a mix: people of African decent, people of European decent, and descendents of the Indian peoples who had lived there for thousands of years before the arrival of the Europeans and Africans.

As the people began to intermingle, so did each of their cultures - as well as their music. For example, today you might hear a song with an African rhythm, played on native Indian instruments, and sung in Spanish.

Brazil

Brazil is a very large country in the northeast of South America where Portuguese, as well as several native Indian languages are spoken. It is home to many styles of music which contain a heavy African influence. The most popular worldwide is SAMBA. Today we will hear a variation of the samba called a CHORINHO (show-reen-yo). They are typically in 2/4 time.

example song: "Tico Tico"

*  *   Download on mp3 here

distinctive instruments/rhythms: the surdu drum provides the "boom" which helps create a type of "march" rhythm.

Colombia

Colombia is located in the northwest of South America. Spanish is the main language, along with several native Indian languages. One popular form of music in Colombia is the CUMBIA (koom-bee-ya). It is typically in 4/4 time.

example songs: "La Gota Fria" / "The Cold Drop",
  "La Piragua" / "The Little Boat"

*  *   Download "La Piragua" on mp3 here

distinctive instruments/rhythms: the guiro (wee-roh) is a hand-held instrument that makes its sound from dragging a stick across its many ridges. Its consistent pattern is key to the cumbia. Also listen for the pattern of the conga drums (the taller hand drums).

Peru

Peru is located on the northwest coast of South America. Spanish, as well as many native Indian dialects are spoken there. As in Brazil and Cuba, there is much African influence in Peruvian culture and music, such as in the VALZ CRIOLLO (voalz cree-yo-yo), or "creole waltz." The valz criollo comes from southern Peru and is in 6/8 time.

example song: "Toro Mata" / "Kill the Bull"

*  *   Download on mp3 here

distinctive instruments/rhythms: note the African 6/8 feel

Mexico

Mexico is located south of the U.S. (bordering the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California) in North America. Spanish and native Indian languages are spoken there. One popular type of Mexican music is a typically slow ballad called the BOLERO (boh-leh-roh). It is usually in 4/4 time.

example song: "Como Fue" / "How it Was"

distinctive instruments/rhythms: maracas - shakers, hollow except for beans or pebbles (to make a rattle sound), that have handles; guitar, and bass.

Cuba

Cuba is a narrow island in the Caribbean, to the north of South America, and less than 100 miles south of Florida. Its main language is Spanish. Much of the music in Cuba is heavily influenced by African traditional rhythms, such as in the popular SON MONTUNO (soan moan-toon-oh).

example song: "La Negra Tomasa" / "The Black Woman [named] Tomasa",
  "Ritmo, Tambor y Flores"

*  *   Download "La Negra Tomasa" on mp3 here
*  *   Download "Ritmo Tambor y Flores" on mp3 here

distinctive instruments/rhythms: the word "clave" (clah - vay) is used to refer to a type of rhythm pattern or "feel." The clave pattern can be clapped, or played on just about anything. Sometimes it is played on an instrument, also called the clave, which consists of two thick wooden sticks that are clicked together.

Funded in part by the City of Austin under the auspices of the Austin Arts Commission.