La musica y su partes
If Puerto Rico is recognized for one thing, it has
to be its music. The music that is made in Puerto Rico is known throughout the
Spanish Speaking world. Like every part of the culture in Puerto Rico, the
music in Puerto Rico is a unique mixture of five centuries of influences. One
of the major influences of music Puerto Rican music is that of the Africans. As
spoken about through this website the Africans that arrived in Puerto Rico as
slaves have had a major impact on Puerto Rican culture that is preserved in the
usage of instruments and dancing. The ornate tradition of the Africans musical
styles can be seen today through the island, but especially in former African
settlements such as Loiza, Guayama, and Ponce. The influences that the Africans
gave to the musical style of Puerto Rico can be seen as a time capsule of their
century old traditions.
la danza puertorriqueña
One form of music from Puerto Rico that has a significant amount of African elements is known as The Puerto Rican Danza. The Danza was first begun in one of the most popular cities in Puerto Rico, Ponce. The Puerto Rican Danza is known for its combination of "European harmonic and melodic elements with African rhythms" The Puerto Rican Danza has large influences from other Caribbean countries such as Cuba.
The Danza was originally made for communal gatherings and celebrations but later became interwoven into the music of the high society. Some of the Danzas most famous composers were Manuel Gregorio Tavarez (1843-1883) and Juan Morel Campos (1857-1896). The essential instruments for the danza include the piano, violins, bugie, clarinets, double bass, bombadino and the güiro.
The Danza was originally made for communal gatherings and celebrations but later became interwoven into the music of the high society. Some of the Danzas most famous composers were Manuel Gregorio Tavarez (1843-1883) and Juan Morel Campos (1857-1896). The essential instruments for the danza include the piano, violins, bugie, clarinets, double bass, bombadino and the güiro.
The chanting or singing of the rosary
Another variety of music that was developed in the
African settlements of Puerto Rico is that of the chanting or singing of the
rosary and the Baquié. The singing of the rosary or the tradition of the
Rosario de la Cruz de mayo began on May 2, 1787 when an earthquake hit the
island on the eve of the feast of the Holy Cross. The island did not see any
major damage due to the earthquake and the chanting evolved as a way of giving
thanks to God. The Baquié (rosary to departed children) developed on the parts of the island with the most African influence. The Baquié is used when a child has passed to celebrate the arrival of a new angel in heaven. According to enciclopediapr the music features arrangements with solo interludes and antiphonals sections marked by a call and response which is a unique blend of both African and European religious origin.
Instrumentos
Cuatro
One Important musical instrument in Puerto Rican culture is that of the Cuarto. The Puerto Rican Cuarto is a string instrument that is similar in use to a guitar. For some time the Cuatro has been seen as a part of the culture of the white Spanish decent mountain dwelling Jibaro population in Puerto Rico. The instrument started to become Africanized in the beginning of the 16th century when a part of the African population along with mulattoes moved from their coastal settlements into the mountain ranges of Puerto Rico. These Africans were known as cimorrones or runaway slaves that were searching for freedom. Once these populations became integrated the mixture could be seen in the changes of the musical styles of the jibros.
The influence that the coastal dwelling Africans and mulattoes brought not only influenced the how the instruments were played be also in the manner in which they were made and created. Through time passing the Cuarto started to be made with "resondores de Higuera" which is similar to the manner in which they were made in the various African settlements throughout the island of Puerto Rico.
One Important musical instrument in Puerto Rican culture is that of the Cuarto. The Puerto Rican Cuarto is a string instrument that is similar in use to a guitar. For some time the Cuatro has been seen as a part of the culture of the white Spanish decent mountain dwelling Jibaro population in Puerto Rico. The instrument started to become Africanized in the beginning of the 16th century when a part of the African population along with mulattoes moved from their coastal settlements into the mountain ranges of Puerto Rico. These Africans were known as cimorrones or runaway slaves that were searching for freedom. Once these populations became integrated the mixture could be seen in the changes of the musical styles of the jibros.
The influence that the coastal dwelling Africans and mulattoes brought not only influenced the how the instruments were played be also in the manner in which they were made and created. Through time passing the Cuarto started to be made with "resondores de Higuera" which is similar to the manner in which they were made in the various African settlements throughout the island of Puerto Rico.
Drums
When speaking of African music there is always one instrument that comes to mind: the drum. Throughout history it seems to be that if there is one instrument that defines African culture is this that of the rhythmic sounds of the drum. There is firm documentation that the drum has existed in Puerto Rico starting with the native taino Indian population. The drums that were used by the taino were made from the trunks of trees native to the island. However, manner and way in which the drum is used today in Puerto Rico comes from a mixture of European and African influences.
How did drums of African origin arrive to Puerto Rico? The drums in the African style of playing and making them arrived during the period of slave transportation. During the transportation of slaves from the west coast of Africa, the Spanish allowed for the Africans to bring on the boat with them drums. These drums were a way in which the Spanish tried to fight off the depression, suffering, and extreme sorrow that the Africans felt during their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
When speaking of African music there is always one instrument that comes to mind: the drum. Throughout history it seems to be that if there is one instrument that defines African culture is this that of the rhythmic sounds of the drum. There is firm documentation that the drum has existed in Puerto Rico starting with the native taino Indian population. The drums that were used by the taino were made from the trunks of trees native to the island. However, manner and way in which the drum is used today in Puerto Rico comes from a mixture of European and African influences.
How did drums of African origin arrive to Puerto Rico? The drums in the African style of playing and making them arrived during the period of slave transportation. During the transportation of slaves from the west coast of Africa, the Spanish allowed for the Africans to bring on the boat with them drums. These drums were a way in which the Spanish tried to fight off the depression, suffering, and extreme sorrow that the Africans felt during their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
What I Found In san juan!
La Plena is a musical style in Puerto Rico that is often referred to as the "periodico cantado" because of the special events and political messages. La Plena is one of Puerto Ricos many musical styles that have African roots. La Plena which is much younger than Puerto Rico's other mostly African influenced musical genera as it was developed in the early part of the 20th century. La Plena was developed by groups of immigrants that came from neighboring islands such as St. Thomas, St. Kitts and Tortola, who settled on the island in the beginning of the 1800's.
La Plena has one basic rhythm using a verity of different sized pandereta which is a type of drub that comes in various sizes. By looking at the video that I recorded of La Plena, it is easy to see that the musicians are using a large variety of dumbs that are in many different sizes, ranging from large ones on the floor, to smaller drums that fit in the musicians lap or hand.
La Plena has one basic rhythm using a verity of different sized pandereta which is a type of drub that comes in various sizes. By looking at the video that I recorded of La Plena, it is easy to see that the musicians are using a large variety of dumbs that are in many different sizes, ranging from large ones on the floor, to smaller drums that fit in the musicians lap or hand.