Music

Today we are looking at Latin music and we will be listening to a song which you will probably all know but not from when it was originally released. Some of the style indicators of Latin music are below: 

Percussion instruments are used; congas, claves, bongos, maracas, etc.

 Every style of Latin music is based around a five beat rhythm called clave.

 It is dance music with a dance beat.

 Some of the popular Latin dance styles are; Salsa, Samba, Bossa Nova, Mambo, Merengue.

 Latin music is up-tempo and energetic.

Instrumentally there is usually a rhythm section, there is sometimes an electric guitar and often a horn section 

Have a look at the questions in blue below and discuss them with a grown up. I have put the answer in black to look at after.

Do you like this song?

What Can You Hear?

- The vocal line: the singer is male.

- The backing/accompaniment: Keyboard, drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, percussion.

Is there a hook? (A hook is a catchy chorus or repeated instrumental passage in a piece of popular music: strong, funky vocals with a hook that gets into your head)

- Yes: it’s in the chorus. The words are “Livin’ La Vida Loca”

The tempo: is it fast, slow or in between?

The tempo of this song is fast

As an extra challenge can you say how this song shows all the features of a Latin song?