Bachata with Joan Soriano
Goals
Goals
- Experience the music of Bachata through body percussion- clapping, slapping, stomping
- Learn the Bachata rhythm, and dance together
- Translate rhythm into an artwork.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Video
Video
In this video you can use your mouse to move the screen around the room!
In this video you can use your mouse to move the screen around the room!
You can click on the screen and drag the view to look around the stage or turn the camera towards the audience.
You can click on the screen and drag the view to look around the stage or turn the camera towards the audience.
In this video, Joan Soriano infuses steel string bachata with equal parts romance and grit in his performance at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center on October 5, 2017.
In this video, Joan Soriano infuses steel string bachata with equal parts romance and grit in his performance at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center on October 5, 2017.
Bachata is a style of Latin American music, originating from the Dominican Republic. It features primarily African rhythms alongside Indigenous and European musical elements, reflecting the cultural diversity of the Dominican Republic.
Bachata is a style of Latin American music, originating from the Dominican Republic. It features primarily African rhythms alongside Indigenous and European musical elements, reflecting the cultural diversity of the Dominican Republic.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
- Take a deep breath in for two counts and out for two counts.
- Take a deep breath in for four counts and out for four counts.
- Continue breathing as we all count out loud
Inhale: 1,2,3,4
and
Exhale: 1,2,3,4
Repeat this several times
Inhale: 1,2,3,4
and
Exhale: 1,2,3,4
Repeat this several times
- We’ve started to create a rhythm with our breath.
Now, without the breath, clap it.
Now, without the breath, clap it.
Clap: 1,2,3,4 and 1,2,3,4
Clap: 1,2,3,4 and 1,2,3,4
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
1. What did you notice about the musicians?
1. What did you notice about the musicians?
- How did they interact with each other?
- How did they interact with the crowd?
2. What did you notice about their instruments?
2. What did you notice about their instruments?
In a Bachata band there are typically 5 to 7 instruments:
In a Bachata band there are typically 5 to 7 instruments:
- Requinto (lead guitar)
- Segunda (rhythm guitar)
- Bass guitar / Electric guitar
- Bongos
- Güira (a percussion instrument)
3. What did you notice about the rhythm?
3. What did you notice about the rhythm?
- How did it change throughout the performance?
- How did you feel when it got faster? When it got slower?
- Rhythm is all around us. For example, walking has rhythm, a clock has rhythm. Where else in our lives do you hear rhythm?
Movement Activity: Rhythm and Dance
Movement Activity: Rhythm and Dance
Ba-Cha-Ta Rhythms are from the Dominican Republic.
Ba-Cha-Ta Rhythms are from the Dominican Republic.
Let’s explore these rhythms together through movement.
Let’s explore these rhythms together through movement.
Activity Video
Activity Video
This video will take you through the extension activity below with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
This video will take you through the extension activity below with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
1. Start by counting the rhythm out loud several times:
1. Start by counting the rhythm out loud several times:
And 1, 2 and 3, 4
And 1, 2 and 3, 4
And 5 and 6 and 7, 8
And 5 and 6 and 7, 8
2. Now add some body percussion
(using our bodies to create movement and sound):
2. Now add some body percussion
(using our bodies to create movement and sound):
Try it with a clap
Try it with a clap
Try it with a tap on your lap then shoulders
Try it with a tap on your lap then shoulders
Shake out your hands with this rhythm
Shake out your hands with this rhythm
Take teeny tiny steps underneath yourself.
Take teeny tiny steps underneath yourself.
3. Add more movements...
3. Add more movements...
You can stand if you like and move around your space.
You can stand if you like and move around your space.
Move your hips and arms and shoulders to the rhythm too.
Move your hips and arms and shoulders to the rhythm too.
Bachata is danced with a partner, feel free to grab a partner and continue moving.
Bachata is danced with a partner, feel free to grab a partner and continue moving.
Art Making
Art Making
We are going to create a rhythm using visual art.
We are going to create a rhythm using visual art.
Supplies:
Supplies:
White piece of paper, or any solid color
Newspaper
Glue or tape
White piece of paper, or any solid color
Newspaper
Glue or tape
First, tear up the newspaper into four different sizes.
First, tear up the newspaper into four different sizes.
Small, big, long, short.
Small, big, long, short.
Then sort all the cuttings into their own piles -
Then sort all the cuttings into their own piles -
all short together, all long together, etc.
all short together, all long together, etc.
Now, create your rhythm by gluing the shapes onto the paper in repeated patterns.
Now, create your rhythm by gluing the shapes onto the paper in repeated patterns.
For example, my rhythm is:
For example, my rhythm is:
Big, small, small
Long, Long, short, short, short
Big, Big
Big, small, small
Long, Long, short, short, short
Big, Big
Additional Activity
Additional Activity
Create your own instruments, using things you have at home.
Create your own instruments, using things you have at home.
Try experimenting with different size containers and filling:
Try experimenting with different size containers and filling:
Or use something found at home to be your instrument:
Or use something found at home to be your instrument:
Shake and tap along with
Joan Soriano’s music.
Shake and tap along with
Joan Soriano’s music.
Take turns playing your instruments.
Take turns playing your instruments.
Feel free to change the tempo (speed).
Feel free to change the tempo (speed).
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
- How was your art-making inspired by the Bachata rhythms?
- How does Bachata compare to your other favorite musical styles?
Additional Links:
Additional Links:
- To learn more about Joan Soriano, click here.
- To learn more about Bachata music, click here.
- To watch more videos from Lincoln Center at Home clips, click here.
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.