MARIACHI:
Mariachi Band: Mariachi is a musical expression that dates back to at least 19th century Western Mexico. It can mean many different styles, including, dance, clothing, vocal music, instruments and costumes.
Mariachi singers sound very similar to each other and sing with tight harmonies. They also play many different types of acoustic guitars, brass instruments, violins and accordions.
This week, we will be taking our passports to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico!
PUERTO RICO!
We can't travel to Puerto Rico without meeting one if it's most famous people...Tito Puente!
Tito Puente: Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente (April 20, 1923-May 31, 2000) was an American mambo musician and Latin Jazz composer. He was the son of Native Puerto Ricans and grew up in the Spanish Harlem section of New York City. His nicknames include: The Musical Pope, El Rey de los Timbales (The King of the Timbales) and The King of Latin Music. He is best known for his dance-oriented mambo and Latin Jazz compositions.
Here is Tito Puente in his last performance of one of his most famous songs "Oye Como Va"
Here is Carlos Santana performing the same piece (he also made the song famous a second time!) You can hear the difference between the two musicians very clearly because of Carlos Santana's distinct guitar tone. Carlos Santana is of Mexican descent.
BOMBA: Bomba is a traditional musical style of Puerto Rico that also has roots in Africa. It is the mixture of the three different cultures of the Island, the African, Spanish and Taino cultures. Bomba is not only the generic term for the rhythms used in the music, but also the relationship between dancers, percussionists and singers. It is a communal activity that still thrives to this day!
Example of Bomba music/dance
PLENA: While bomba has roots in Afria, Plena is purely a Puerto Rican style of music. Plena blends elements from many of Puerto Rico's cultural backgrounds, including Taino tribes and were used during tribal ceremonies.
Example of Plena music in Puerto Rico
SALSA: Although salsa is one of the newest forms of music to come from Puerto Rico, it is definitely the most popular. The word salsa literally means, the "sauce" that makes parties happen! Although salsa draws on stylings from the island of Puerto Rico, it actually was developed in New York City. Cuban, and Afro- Caribbean rhythms can also be heard in the music. Salsa is HIGHLY danceable!
A few different examples of salsa dancing from around the world.
This week in music class we will be composing rhythmic songs! Students will be creating 16 measure songs using rhythms we have learned in music class to combine and make small percussion ensembles using the students own original creations! Stay tuned for some visual examples of our creations!
Here are some samples of the songs we have been listening, playing along with and dancing to in music class!!
Celia Cruz:
Carlos Santana:
We are using the following rhythms (depending on what grade you are in) to play along with our latin percussion instruments.
Ta - Quarter Note (1 sound on 1 heartbeat)
Ti-ti - Eighth Notes (2 sounds on 1 heartbeat)
Ta-a - Half Note (1 sound on 2 heartbeats)
Tibi-tibi - Sixteenth Notes (4 sounds on 1 heartbeat)
Z - Quarter Note Rest (no sounds on 1 heartbeat)
Ti-Tibi - 3 sounds on one heartbeat
Tibi-ti - 3 sounds on one heartbeat
Check this out!!! Here is a live recording of a Latin percussion ensemble. What other instruments do you see? What family of instrument are they in??
Students in grades k-4 are learning a beautiful song called "Namaste" which celebrates many different languages and cultures. Here are the lyrics below!
NAMASTE
I don’t know your name,
We speak different languages.
We may not be the same,
But I reach out my hand to you,
and I say,
Hi! Hola, Salaam, Konichiwa! Ni hao, Buon giorno, Jambo!
(2x)
I don’t know your name,
We have different points of view,
We may not be the same,
But I reach out my hand to you,
and I say,
Bon jour! Sha-lom! Privet, Namaste!
(2x)
I don’t know your name,
We eat different kinds of food.
We may not be the same,
But I reach out my hand to you,
and I say,
Guten Tag! Kalimera, Aloha, Osiyo!
(2x)
I don’t know your name,
We have different holidays!
We may not be the same,
But I reach out my hand to you,
and I say,
This week we will be traveling to BRAZIL!!! There are many different music and dance styles that originated from Brazil. Check them out below!
Fun fact! In Brazil, the native language is Portuguese.
SAMBA:
Traditionally from West Africa, it settled in the Rio de Janiero.
Battucada: Famous rhythmic style that is played in the Samba. It is very repetitive and fast paced.
Atabaque: Traditional drum
CHAMADAS pattern in Samba call and response fashion called Battaria
Battucada
Repinique Drum Pattern
Cuica Instrument Demonstration
Sergio Mendes - Mas que Nada
BOSSA NOVA:
This style is more about the singing and melody and less on the percussion and rhythms.
Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz - Girl from Ipanema
La Garota de Ipanema (intro is around 1 minute long)
THE LAMBADA
Known as "the forbidden dance", is a partner dance that has roots from Africa and also includes stylings from other dances such as the merengue, salsa and carimbo.
OTHER THINGS!
Wanna know what's happening now in Brazil? Here is some modern funk with a Portuguese touch!
Seu Jorge - Carolina
Atabaque: Traditional Drum
Samba de Roda: Traditional Circle Dance
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art with its roots originating in Angola and the Congo, that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, and is usually referred to as a game. It was developed in Brazil mainly by West Africans, beginning in the 16th century. It is known for quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed, and leverage for a wide variety of kicks, spins, and highly mobile techniques. (Wikipedia)
Capoeira Instrument: Berimbau