Spanish music can be very different from Western music, in both style and rhythm. From the ancient music of Andalusia to Flamenco, Traditional music is still a popular choice for Spanish people as well as for tourists who love a great night out. And what about flamenco? We’re sure you’ve heard of it but have you ever wondered what it actually means? Well, we’ll be taking a look at eleven Spanish genres of music that are enjoyed all over the world by those who love to dance and sing along.
9 Spanish Music Genres
1. Salsa
Salsa music is a style of Latin American music. Salsa music is a popular Latin dance music genre. It is a lively, fun, and entertaining genre of music, often accompanied by a dance. Most of the songs considered salsa are based mainly on son montuno, with elements of mambo, Latin jazz, bomba, plena, and guaracha. The first self-described salsa groups were predominantly 70 It was brought together by Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians in New York in the ’70s. His musical style was based on Arsenio Rodríguez’s late son Montuno, Conjunto Chappottín and Roberto Faz.
2. Merengue
Merengue is a type of dance music that originated in the Dominican Republic. It has become very popular in Latin America, and is also enjoyed by anglophone audiences around the world. Its origins are in the Dominican Republic, where it began to develop as a fusion of European music and African beats. The genre became known as “meringue” after its main instrument, which is a type of accordion called a “merengue.”
Merengues are usually upbeat and fast-paced with syncopated rhythms, while they often have a danceable beat. They typically have short verses and choruses, as well as memorable melodies that are easy to sing along with.
The best-known artists from this genre include Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas, Juan Luis Guerra Jr., Johnny Ventura and Jose Alberto “El Canario”.
3. Bachata
Bachata is a type of music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is a fusion of other styles such as bolero, samba and son callejero (or street son).
Bachata has been popular since at least the 1950s in the Dominican Republic, where it originated. Bachata began with rural laborers in the Dominican Republic who gathered to play traditional songs from their homeland. The music became popular among urban Dominicans during the 1960s, when it was played on radio stations and performed live by groups on stage.
Bachata’s influence came from other forms of Latin American music including bolero, samba, son callejero (or street son), and tango nuevo. Because bachata originated in rural areas, its lyrics tend to focus on rural life and nature.
4. Cumbia
Cumbia is a genre of music that originated in Colombia and is popular in many Latin American countries. It’s often called “the Colombian national dance.” Cumbia is a danceable rhythm that has strong African roots, with influences from Europe and the Caribbean.
Cumbia’s origins go back to the 1700s when Africans were brought to Colombia as slaves. The slaves worked on sugar plantations, where they created a new musical style called “cumbiamba,” which combined traditional African tunes with European musical instruments like the violin and flute.
The cumbia sound was further developed by Colombian musicians who heard Caribbean music on records during World War II. They added their own instruments — like the accordion and electric guitar — to create a unique sound that became popular throughout Latin America.
5. Reggaeton
Hip Hop is a style of music from Dancehall, Bomb and influenced Puerto Rico. It evolved from Dancehall and was influenced by American hip hop, Latin American and Caribbean music. Vocals include rap and singing, usually in Spanish.
Reggaeton is considered one of the most popular musical genres in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean in countries such as Puerto Rico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela. In the 2010s, the genre gained acceptance in mainstream Western music alongside its growing popularity in Latin America.
6. Flamenco
Flamenco is a complex, rhythmic dance that originated in Andalusia, Spain. The word flamenco itself means “flaming” in Spanish, but it has also come to be associated with the music, dance and culture of Spain’s Gitanos, or Gypsies.
Flamenco music is rhythmic and emotional. It can be played on guitar or cajón (a box drum), but most often it features the voices of flamenco artists who sing passionately about life and love. The style is known for its fast-paced rhythms and strident melodies, which can be both beautiful and harsh at the same time.
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The origins of flamenco have been debated for years by historians who have tried to trace its roots back to ancient times. Some believe that flamenco started as a folk music form that developed among gypsies in the 16th century when they were forced into exile by Philip II, king of Castile and Aragon. Other historians claim that a fusion of Arabic, Jewish and Moorish influences created this unique genre of music as early as the 12th century CE.
7. Sardana
It is a dance that originated in Catalonia but is recognized throughout the country. It is performed by groups of people holding hands and moving in a circle.
Sardana is mostly danced at festivals and on weekends. The accompanying 11-member orchestra consists of a kobla, 10 woodwind instruments, and a bass. A person plays flabiol (flute) and tamborí (small hand drum). Since the 1980s, female musicians have also been allowed to enter koblas.
8. Latin Pop
Latin pop is a genre that combines Latin music with pop music. It features Latin rhythms and melodies with a modern, mainstream style.
Latin pop became popular in the U.S. in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when it was played on radio stations across the country. There are many different types of Latin pop music, including salsa and merengue, which are styles that originated in Latin America. Today, many Latin pop songs feature lyrics in both English and Spanish.
9. Rock en Español
Rock en Español is a rock music genre that originated in the 1960s in Latin America and Spain. Rock music has been popular in Latin America since the late 1950s and became an early force in the development of rock en español. Rock en Español is known for its lyrics which are often political or socially conscious, sometimes irreverently humorous, and almost always concerned with the problems of everyday life.
FAQ
What is modern Latin music called?
Modern Latin music is Reggaeton.
What are three popular Latin American music?
- Salsa
- Merengue
- Bachata
How is Latin American music described?
Latin American music is the term used when referring to music from the Spanish or Portuguese-speaking countries of Mexico, most of Central and South America, and the Caribbean islands.
Why is Latin music so popular?
The musical style appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds because of its rhythmic beats and catchy upbeat vibe.
