Salsa

Overview

Salsa was created by Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants living in New York in the 1960s and 70s.  Salsa is based on son – a type of music from Cuba that combines Spanish and African elements.  In New York, son was influenced by jazz, rock and pop to become salsa.

Date and place of origin

1960s and 70s, New York (America) 

Famous performers

  • Celia Cruz (singer)
  • Eddie Palmieri (pianist)
  • Tito Puente (drummer)
  • The Fania All-Stars (a salsa group)


Dance steps

salsa is a paired dance – couples hold each other loosely and step forwards and backwards or out to the side and back with each other.  Spins, turns and holds can also be added into the dance.

Test Yourself

  • In which American city did salsa originate?
  • What is the name for the repeated rhythm that appears in salsa?
    • Chaal
    • Clave
    • Guiro
    • Tala
  • Name two characteristic features of the chorus section in a salsa piece.
  • Name three percussion instruments often found in salsa. 

Key Features

Metre, Rhythm and Tempo

  • Salsa music is in 4/4 time.
  • It is highly syncopated.
  • The most important rhythm in salsa is the clave rhythm, which is repeated as a two bar ostinato throughout a piece. There are two versions of it (called 2:3 and 3:2), which are basically the same but just reversed: 
  • This rhythm is played by the claves (two wooden sticks).

Melody

  • Melodies are usually in a major key and often syncopated.
  • They are frequently doubled in parallel 3rds or 6ths.
  • Lyrics are nearly always in Spanish.
  • In the chorus, there is often call and response between the pregón or sonero (the lead singer) and the choro (the chorus). 

Structure

Salsa music often has a verse-chorus form.  You will usually find:

  • An instrumental introduction, which tends to be more laid-back than the rest of the piece 
  • A number of verses 
  • A chorus, which often features improvisation and call and response.

Instrumentation

Salsa music has a strong rhythm section made up from a variety of Latin American percussion instruments, the most popular of which are:

  • Claves: Two wooden sticks used to play the clave rhythm.
  • Cowbell: A metal bell hit with a stick.
  • Timbales: A pair of small, single-headed drums (played with the hands).
  • Congas: A pair of long, single-headed drums (played with the hands).
  • Güiro: A gourd that is scraped with a stick.

Brass (trumpets and trombones), piano and voice are frequently used in salsa music.


‘MI GENTE’ BY HÉCTOR LAVOE 

Héctor Lavoe is a Puerto Rican singer. ‘Mi Gente’ was one of his most popular songs.
Characteristic features include:

  • The instrumental introduction.
  • The busy rhythmic backing created by Latin American percussion.
  • The syncopated piano ostinato (most noticeable in the chorus, which starts at 1:15).
  • The brass chords and fills.
  • The call and response in the chorus:  the soloist improvises phrases, and the chorus responds each time with the same phrase (which they sing in parallel chords).