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Dominican Republic music
Out of all the Dominican Republic music you'll
find perhaps nothing describes the Dominican Republic like the Merengue.
This music belongs to them alone and has a history of its own. In 1850,
Merengue was in vogue at the time displacing the Tumba.
The most representative form of Merengue's musical structure consists of
paseo (walk), body and jaleo. The addition of the paseo to Merengue back
then was attributed to Emilio Arte. All the music was written at a 2X4
rythm and there is disagreement in the amounts of beats each part should
contain.
The literary forms that conform the Merengue are most common in the copla,
seguidilla and decima, with the occasional appearance of the pareados.
Since the beginning, the Merengue was played with the easiest thing they
could find to make music. This altered the music over the years, but the
Merengue won out and became the most popular dance of the Dominican
republic. The Tumba required eleven different steps where the Merengue was
much more simple.
In 1930, the Merengue was finally accepted by the masses - that is all but
high society who didn't agree. However, one of members of the higher
echelon asked that a song be written with decent lyrics for his daughter's
birthday. This song became a hit and even evolved into some sort of anthem
for Menegue. With the help of radio Merengue was here to stay.
While popular musicians tried to imitate and follow the model created by
the educated musicians the countrymen continued to play Merengue the way
it was. This eventually produced two kinds of Menengue. The old Merengue
can still be found in the country, but the ballroom Menegue is what is
most commonly used in today's society.
You know in an instant it is their music and a wonderful difference in
enjoyment to those that dance to it. With it's deep beat and rhythm, it is
music that will lift your spirits and sooth your soul, no matter what kind
of music you listen to while you visit the Dominican Republic.
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