Latin American Culture Salsa Samba and Tango - Research Paper Example

Latin American Culture: Salsa, Samba and Tango Alba, Luis. Tracing the Origins of Salsa Music. Dancedancedance.com, 2002. Web. 5 June 2012. . Alba describes the history of salsa music and dance. He stresses that many Latin American dances have African roots, where African slaves brought their music and musical instruments to Latin America. They mixed their African music with Hispanic moves and rhythms, so it easily became popular across social classes throughout time. This article is valid, because other articles supported this history. This article is significant because it provides information on the roots of salsa. Brasil Show- Carnaval samba-29Jan2010. YouTube, 2010. Web. 5 June 2012. . This video shows an example of women dancing Carnival samba. Women are dancing to samba music with colorful and sexy costumes and movements. This reference is noteworthy, because it demonstrates the actual steps and vivacity of samba. Brisbane Samba School. Samba Instruments. 2007. Web. 5 June 2012. . This webpage explains the different samba instruments, such as 1) surdo- a common and double-headed bass drum with a deep “doom” sound; 2) pandeiro- a Brazilian instrument played by striking with the thumb, fingertips, heel of the hand and or the whole hand; 3) agogô- “a set of two (or three) pitched cowbells played with a beater;” 4) reco-reco- “a scraper, played by running a small metal rod across the springs to produce a 'shh-shh' sound”; and 5) cavaquinho- a small guitar. I find this article important in discussing the instruments played when making samba music. It shows that samba is a local music that uses African and Latino instruments. Cuban Salsa Dance Styling - Havana, Cuba. YouTube, 2006. Web. 5 June 2012. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb35M43Kcds>. This video clip shows couples dancing salsa. Couples dance together as they would during family and other social gatherings. A band plays salsa in the background using drums and tambourines, while a singer uses traditional African and Latin melodies. This reference is significant, because it demonstrates the actual steps and vivacity of salsa, where couples pair to perform it for themselves and for the public. Daniel, Yvonne. Dancing Wisdom: Embodied Knowledge in Haitian Vodou, Cuban Yoruba, and Bahian Candomblé. United States: Smith College P, 2005. Print. This book explains the role of dancing for Latin communities. He stresses that for the disadvantaged sectors of society, dancing provides a “nonverbal communication system” (Daniel 53), where they can express their feelings, experiences, and ideas about their lives and even society, in general. This book is important, because it gives information on the roots of dancing and its meaning and implications for dancers. Den Tandt, Catherine and Richard A. Young. Tradition and Transformation in Latin American Music. By John King. The Cambridge Companion to Modern Latin American Culture. New York: Cambridge U P, 2004. 236-257. Print. Authors describe the different forms and evolution of American Music. The music of Latin American dances utilized native dialects and diverse musical instruments, which reflected their diverse origins and resourcefulness. This book is important, because it provides information on the roots of dancing and its meaning for dancers and their communities. Fernandez, Eduardo. El Tango at a Glance. Tango Concepts. Web. 5 June 2012. . Fernandez narrates that tango began as a happy music danced and played in the slums, as well as in the bordellos. However, as it became popular, it was performed in the working and middle class neighborhoods, as well. This article is essential, because it offers information on the roots of dancing and its meaning and implications for dancers. It is important in describing the roots and steps of tango. Ilich, Tijana. Salsa - From Cuba to New York to You. About.com, 2012. Web. 5 June 2012. < http://latinmusic.about.com/od/genres/p/PRO09BASIC.htm>. Ilich describes that salsa heavily uses percussion instruments such as clave, maracas, conga, bongo, tambora, bato, and cowbell. These instruments and the singers frequently follow the call and response patterns of native African songs, before they proceed to the chorus. Some of the salsa instruments are also mentioned. This article is important, because it offers information on the history and instruments of salsa. Kijac, Maria Baez. Preface. The South American Table: The Flavor and Soul of Authentic Home Cooking from Patagonia to Rio de Janeiro, with 450 Recipes. By Kijac. Massachusetts: Harvard Common P, 2003. vii-vii. Print. Kijac discusses the role of dancing to South American culture. Her main argument is that dancing is part of their culture and identities. She stresses that dancing also offers recreation and a time to intermingle with family and friends. This article is significant, because it offers information on the role of dancing to the lives of South Americans. It highlights that dancing is a cultural practice of South Americans. "Libertango" Dancer: Pablo Alonso. YouTube, 2007. Web. 5 June 2012. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKCwcCMAnxg&feature=fvst>. In the video clip “Libertango Dancer: Pablo Alonso,” the woman wears a short dress and high heels, while the man has long sleeved-shirt and black slacks. One of the more significant aspects of the tango is the frame, or the way the dancers hold each other. They follow a “closed” dance position, where it appears that their arms are resting. Dancers practice a lead-and-follow pattern, with constant glances at the left and the right and their backs are very straight as they move. The steps are also precise and passionate. This video is important, because it shows the precise steps and passion of tango, which helps explain my main points about it. Mariani, Myriam Evelyse. African Influences in Brazilian Dance. By Kariamu Welsh-Asante. African Dance: An Artistic, Historical, and Philosophical Inquiry. New Jersey: Africa World P, 2002. 79-88. Print. Mariani studies the African roots of Brazilian dances. Samba’s origins can be traced to the batuque Angola-Congolese slaves, who danced for their personal amusement (Mariani 81). It is now performed as one of the most popular street dances at Carnival, the pre-Lenten celebration in Rio de Janeiro, for almost a century (Mariani 81). This article is important, because it offers information on the history and instruments of salsa and samba. Miller, Gray. Samba Dance Steps. Love to Know Dance, 2012. Web. 5 June 2012. . Miller describes the steps of samba. It also explains the entertainment nature of dancing. This video is essential, because it shows samba dance steps, which helps explain my main points about it. NK Latin 2011 - Finale Samba. YouTube, 2011. Web. 5 June 2012. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbK0hGS9qT4&feature=related>. Many international and national competitions already use recorded samba music, such as the video clip, “NK Latin 2011 - Finale Samba.” Men are dressed with long sleeves shirt and black slacks, although their shirt buttons are often half-open to show their chests and to express sensuality. Women don short and flowing dresses that seem to snap for every brisk movement. This video is important, because it shows samba dance steps, which helps depict the passion that goes with it. Shaw, Lisa. Tango. By Ed Morales. The Latin Beat: The Rhythms and Roots Of Latin Music From Bossa Nova To Salsa and Beyond. Massachusetts: De Capo P, 2003. Print. Shaw describes tango, as a musical style and dance, is born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It emerged from the urban poor during the 1890s and is connected to music from the brothels during the same time. This article is essential, because it offers information on the history and instruments of tango. Pretell, Jaime Andrés. A Look at the Origin of Salsa. Centralhome.com. Web. 5 June 2012. < http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/salsa.htm>. Author explains the origins of salsa. Cuba is the birthplace of Salsa. It is the nation where Contra-Danze (Country Dance) of England/France, later named as Danzón, which was brought by the French who ran from Haiti, integrated itself with Rhumbas of African origin (from Guaguanco, Colombia, Yambú) (Pretell ). Salsa mixed with són of the Cuban people, which was a combination of the Spanish troubadour (sonero), the African drumbeats, flavora, and a partner dance that follows the beat of the clave (Pretell). This article is important, because it offers information on the history and instruments of salsa. Read More