Salsa

By Nishan

Whenever you listen to a song you will hear great rhythms playing in the background. These sounds give the song and the music life. The various genres which goes into these songs are different and each have their own appeal. Of the many different forms of music that you will hear there is one which can make any music or song played to its beat sizzle. This musical style is that of Salsa or to be more accurate Cuban rhythmic music.

Unlike many other forms of music Salsa incorporate numerous styles under its umbrella. The music of the chachachá, the mambo and Son music can be found under this one name. Before going any further you may be interested in learning that the term Salsa means sauce in the Spanish language. It has the connotations of being hot, spicy, and lively much like the cuisine which is created by Cuban chefs. Music wise the meaning of Salsa means music which is passionate, frenzied and wild.

To see this musical style more clearly think about the Flamenco dancers and the fast paced way they dance. Transfer this fast pace and passion you see in the Flamenco dance to that of music and you will begin to understand what the term Salsa means with regard to music. The musical instruments which are used to provide some life and soul to Cuban and other Latin music are cowbells, bongos, vibraphone, drum kits, conga, piano, trumpet, flute, trombone, violin, gürio, saxophone, bass guitar, guitar/cuatro, timbales, maracas, double bass, and claves.

The sounds which are the result of this fusion are the sounds of passion and wildness you will hear in Salsa music. Musicians like Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and others have used this style of music in their songs with great effect. While many of the Cuban music incorporates genres like pop, R&B, jazz and rock to the new songs and rhythms you hear, the predominant style of music which is the very soul of Cuban music can be defined as being Salsa music.

The next time you are listening to some Latin songs or Cuban rhythms try to hear the underlying beat and you will soon find your feet are tapping to the passion and liveliness of the Salsa beat.