An Exceptional Place to Flourish
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?