Instrumentos
Sol, fa, son, and rumba are four variants of this Spanish word that might translate as "key" in English, a term also used to describe a musical instrument traditionally made of two wooden sticks.
What is (the) clave?
These two numbers, summing to five, are used to define clave orientation or direction, and have been the source of much semantic debate about types of clave.
What are two and three?
Arsenio Rodriguez added three more to make a total of four of this instrument in his Conjunto, helping to define the sound of "Son Montuno."
What is the trumpet (trompeta)?
This famous bassist and composer, son of a famous bassist and composer, sadly passed away while on tour with Los Van Van in New York in 2023.
Who was Juan Carlos Formell?
This oboe-like double-reeded instrument almost immediately became the lead instrument for Congas from Santiago after it was brought to Cuba from China more than 100 years ago.
What is the corneta china?
This term is used by lead singers to cue or refer to the chorus, while it also refers to a scraping percussion instrument traditionally made from a gourd.
What is a güiro?
This term can be literally translated as "triplet," but is often used to refer to a different rhythm consisting of three hits spaced 1.5 beats apart.
What is tresillo?
While not included in the original instrumentation, Los Van Van later added these brass instruments to their format that have since become a signature part of the group's sound.
What are trombones?
Very popular in Cuba, this Dominican artist is often credited with being the first to popularize Bachata outside of the DR.
Who is Juan Luis Guerra?
"La rumba está buena" is a misleadingly titled song in this musical genre from Guantánamo that is characterized by melodies that fall almost completely on off-beats, accompanied by instruments such as the marímbula and güira.
What is changüí?
The traditional name for a conga drum in Cuba, or a woman who plays the instrument.
What is a tumbadora?
This most-improvisational rumba instrument is traditionally the highest of the drums, whose name may derive from being the "fifth" of the primary instruments used in a rumba.
What is the quinto?
This was the name given to the wind section of N.G. La Banda, all virtuousos who played "frighteningly" fast.
What are the "metales de terror"?
"Oye Juan, dice mi amigo cucurucho que seguimos poniéndola" goes the beginning of this hit Van Van song about maintaining oneself.
What is Me Mantengo?
"I want to go" to this Eastern Cuban City, goes one of the first big hit songs by Adalberto Álvarez -- it is also the name of a famous rueda move.
What is Bayamo?
This group of three hour-glass-shaped drums, usually played seated, came to Cuba from Nigeria and are used to accompany songs for the Orichas.
What are batá drums?
*This number* of weeks was a three-time hit song composed by César Pedroso, sung by Israel "Kantor" Sardiñas, Mayito Rivera, and Pepito Gómez. It is also the actual number of strings on a Cuban Tres guitar.
What is seis (6)?
This is the nickname given to Manolito's horn section, perhaps as a more loving alternative to NG's horns.
What are the metales de cariño?
This pianist was the musical director of Orquesta Revé when he composed "Más Viejo Que Ayer, Más Joven Que Mañana" before he formed his own band called "Dan Den."
Who is Juan Carlos Alfonso?
Often considered one of Cuba's greatest vocal improvisers, this singer became famous with the Original de Manzanillo.
Who is Cándido Fabré?
Aisar Hernández, Pedro Pablo Gutiérrez, Alain Pérez, and Juan Formell, while famous for being band leaders, specialized primarily in this instrument.
What is the bass/bajo?
The name for this time signature is also used to refer to the most common bell pattern played in Afro-Cuban folkloric music, distinguished from Cuban popular music in part by its triplet or compound meter, when beats are divided into three parts.
What is seis por ocho (6/8)?
"Sound *this instrument* Richard," goes the chorus to a famous song by Orquesta Aragón, referring to the traditional solo instrument of Cuban Charanga ensembles.
What is the flauta/flute?
This trompetista founded the timba band "La Barriada" in Sancti Spiritus.
Who is Juan Kemell?
This type of music and dance came to Cuba from Haiti (with some French influence), and is typically divided into three subgenres: masón, yubá, and frenté.
What is tumba francesa?