Introduction
Salsa music is predominant in Latin America. However, it is difficult to define the term salsa. This is because there is no concise definition of the term that is applicable when one is talking about salsa music. Salsa is a term borrowed from Spanish language and it refers to a spiced up cuisine in Latin and Caribbean culture. Since every culture values its traditional dishes and spices are used to make food attractive and sweeter, then one can say that salsa refers to a very beautiful and attractive music.
In addition, sweet food is made up of different components meaning that even salsa music is made up of different styles and variations. This could explain the reason why up to date we do not have a concise definition of this beautiful music. In general terms salsa music could be taken to mean a very smooth and beautiful music which has a very joyful and vibrant carnival beat with rhythms that have roots in Africa, Caribbean and Latin origins. The term is mostly used when were referring to a famous Cuban music genre especially chacha. This essay is going to describe the emergence of this new music genre and its development from a historical point of view. Great musicians who molded this genre will also be highlighted in the discussion.
Origin of Salsa Music
The origin of salsa music is as complex as it is definition. However, musicians and historians agree that salsa music must have originated in Latin America. It was introduced in Latin America by Africans who were shipped into the region by Spaniards as slaves. African had a very elaborate musical instruments such as conga and different percussion instruments and it is believed that they introduced these instruments in the region. In addition, these instruments are heavily used in salsa music. Others believe that emergence of salsa has a relationship with social upheavals in the region. Therefore we end up having two schools of thought when we are tracing the origin of salsa music. The first schools of thought represent those who believe that salsa music originated in Cuba.
According to the first school of thought the ‘Cuban Son’ laid the foundation of what today we refer to as salsa music’ (Lamadrid, 2005). Cuban son appeared in 1917 in Havana. During this period the Danzon dance was very popular in Cuba. Danzon dance was an old music style that dated back to 1879 and was embraced both by the elite and the commoners in the society, but it could not prevent emergence of Cuban Son. The son borrowed lot from Danzon dance but its form was different.
Additionally, the son had very distinct music and sound that was totally different from the Danzon. This uniqueness was brought about by the use of percussion and rhythms introduced by Africans as mentioned earlier. Lamadrid (2005) asserts that ‘the son originated specifically in Oriente Provence, which is located in the eastern region of Cuba. Apart from musical instruments with African origin other instruments were invented in order to flavor to the Son. They included: bongos, marimburala, quijada, timbales criollos, cowbell, botijuela, and the diente de arodo.
According to the second school of thought, salsa emerged as a result of period of social upheavals especially by minorities in 1960s in Cuba (Manuel et al, 1991, pg. 89). Social upheavals developed new social consciousness in the region and this in turn called for new musical movement in the region. The logical musical vehicle for this was not the perceived quint and folksy seis or plena but modernized Cuban dance music especially the conjunto-style son. This is how salsa was introduced in the region.
History of Salsa
After the emergence of salsa in 1960s many people developed interest in it and slowly it closed borders. It was first introduced in New York before spreading to other parts in the globe. Ilich (2009, pg 22) commenting on the same theme notes that ‘musicians from Cuba performed in new York in 1960.’ In addition, these performers brought their native rhythms and with time salsa evolved. Meeting of different performers from Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico in New York resulted in development of different versions which later on came to be known as Cuban Salsa, Colombian salsa, Mexico Salsa and Puerto Rico salsa.
In 1970s development of salsa took a new twist. More salsa bands both in New York and in other parts in Latin America were formed (Leymarie et al, 2003, pg. 267). At the same time radio stations that played pure salsa music all the time emerged. Additionally, recording of salsa music by these bands took a center stage meaning that more people could buy this music and listen it in their automobiles and at home. Although this music was available in the music stores popular salsa performers also emerged and they did a lot in promoting salsa in the whole world.
In 1980s salsa was well recognized as a famous music genre in the world. This popularity encouraged composers to diversify their topics. As a result salsa Romantica took the center stage and love and romance themes dominated salsa that was composed around this period (Steward, pg 493). At around this time lock music became very popular and its popularity pushed salsa to the background. This is due to the fact that rock music attracted large numbers of Latino youths and thus its lovers declined in number. It is important to note that the youth loves and have interest in music than adults and this is why salsa was heavily affected. Today salsa is still common and many people are joining salsa dancing clubs.
Instrumentation
A good piece of salsa required different instruments. However, the common and the most basic instrument in salsa is the percussion (“Salsa”, 2009). Percussion refers to an object which produces a sound when it is hit using a compliment. It can also produce sound through shaking, rubbing, scraping or by other means which force the object to vibrate. Percussion basically is made up by different instruments such as claves, cowbells, timbales and conga.
The cowbell also known as cencerro is made from very hard metal (Turner, 2004). The cowbell is used in playing very strong rhythms. Although heavy metals are used during its manufacture the instrument is not that heavy. This is because the musician has to hold it in his/her palm. He then strikes the metal with a short metal stick or a wooden stick. The instrument can produce two different sounds depending on the part that is being hit; the upper part and the edges produces these two different sounds and it’s upon the musician to choose which sound he wants.
Timbales on the other hand are drums metal casing and they originated in Cuba. Timbales differ from ordinary drums in that they are single headed while the other ones are double headed. The musician produces sound by hitting the metal case with either a wooden or a metal rod. Percussion is complimented by other instruments such as trumpets and trombones. In the recent past other melodic instruments such as guitar and piano have been integrated in salsa in order to give it a contemporary face.
Subgenre (salsa dance)
As salsa evolved over time new and different genres were invented. The most famous genre is salsa Romantica which was invented in 1980s as aforementioned. This genre maintained its popularity up to 1990 and was common in New York and Puerto Rica. Salsa Romantica was invented by musicians for purely commercial purposes and this is why it concentrated on romantic themes such as love messages. This genre represented a soft salsa which was totally different from the hard hitting orchestras witnessed in 1970s.
It is important to note that in 1960-1970s salsa music provided an avenue for airing society’s social and political problems. In 1960 for instance, salsa music highlighted social differences that existed among Latinos and African Americans. Introduction of salsa Romantica which deviated from traditional salsa thus represent a change of values and norms in the society. Salsa dancing styles have also changed with time.
Carlos (2005) notes that ‘different dancing styles represents different cultures of the dancer.’ The names of the style depict the region from which dancers comes. The most common dancing styles include: on-1, on-2, and on-3. Salsa on-1 style is the traditional style whereby the man is the leader and the woman is the follower (Carlos, 2005). This style is danced in closed or the famous European position with the dancers facing one another. Salsa on-2 style starts with both feet close together, the dancers hold the beat, followed by a step forward with the left foot. Then roll back to the right foot, step back with the left foot, hold the beat again, followed by a step back with the right foot and then the procedure is repeated.
Salsa on-3 starts as the second one. However, you break forward with your left foot, rock back onto your right foot, step back with the left foot, shift weight onto the left foot, step back again using the right foot, rock back onto the left foot and step forward with the right foot.
Greatest Artist
Over the years we have witnessed emergence of great salsa artists. They include:
- Ray Barreto: He was born in 1929 in Puerto Rica. He is famously known as the father of Latin jazz and he has won a Grammy award. He died in 2006.
- Eddie Palmieri: He was born in 1936 in Puerto Rica. He has also won a Grammy award for his contribution in the music industry. He was among the first person to introduce and perform salsa in America in 1960s and his band then was known as Conjunto La Perfecta.
- Celia cruz: She was born in Cuba in 1925 and she died in 2003. She was regarded as the best salsa performer of the 20th century and during her music career she recorded 23 albums. Due to her music prowess she was nicknamed the queen of salsa.
- Jose Alberto: His real name is Jose Alberto Justiniano and he was born in 1958 in Dominican Republic. He later on moved to Puerto Rico where he started his music career as salsa musician. He formed his own band in 1983 and in 1981 he introduced salsa Romantica which is a heavily criticized salsa genre.
- Ricardo levmo: He is a well renowned salsa and rhumba player with Congolese origin. He is a contemporary salsa artist and he fuses African beats with salsa beats. Although he is young in the industry his songs still carry traditional messages. For instance, in his song titled São Salvador he talks of an ancient kingdom in his home country. Thus his songs are not for commercial purposes alone, they have a lot of cultural information in them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, salsa music has its roots in Latin America. It is characterized by the use of percussion but today other melodic accompaniments such as piano and guitar are used. Traditionally salsa music was used as a society’s mouthpiece but currently salsa music is composed for commercial purposes. Different salsa genres and dancing styles have also evolved keeping up with changes that are taking place in the social fabric. In future, more African based and European based salsa dancers are going to emerge adding flavor to salsa music.
Work cited
Carlos, J. Salsa dance steps. Web.
Ilch, Tijana. Latin Music: From Cuba To New York To You. New York: Alphine pyublishers,pp 20-40
Lamadrid, J. F. The Cuban Son. 2009. Web.
Leymarie, S. Cuban Fire: The Story of Salsa and Latin Jazz. London: Continuum publishers, pp 265-271
Manuel, P. L., Bilby, K. M. and Largey, M. D: Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music From Rumba To Reggae. New York: Temple University Press, 2006 pp
Manuel, P. (ed.): Essays On Cuban Music: North America and Cuban Perspectives. Maryland: University press of America. 1991, pp 80-95
Salsa Music. 2009. Web.
Steward, S. World Music, Volume 2. London: Rough Guides, pp 487-501
Turner, M. The cowbell (cencerro): 2009. Web.