Great explanation, one of the best and most concise I've heard. Another suggestion for people learning salsa or new to the genre: listen to the most important instrument players on a salsa song, the timbalero and the bongo player (bongosero). They both change how they play depending on what part of the song they are. For example on the intro and outro the timbalero hits the timbal on the sides (what is called here "la cascara") and you can hear that distinctive sound of something hitting a metal can. The bongosero is playing the bongos on a normal rhythm following the timbalero. When the intro changes to the chorus part the timbalero changes from "la cascara" to start hitting the bell on top of the timbal which keeps the rhythm tempo for the group and maintains what we call "la clave". Some of them also play with the other free hand the wood block on top of the timbal (which is a substitution for the instrument also called "clave"). The bongosero in this part stops playing the bongo and switches to play the bell (campana) following the rhythm of the timbalero.
Glad it helped! From a dancer perspective it may be difficult to grasp all the instruments, specially in more modern salsa where the melody and the singer are emphasized and the percussion isn't so identifiable like in the past. Older salsa albums, specially from the 60's and the 70's, are really good for getting a good grasp of all the percussion instruments in a song. Some of my favorites from the sixties are Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Machito, Rey Barreto, El Gran Combo, Ricardo Ray, among others, from the 70's I like too much artists to name them all haha. People should keep in mind that in the sixties the term "salsa" wasn't being used to describe the music, by that time each genre/rhythm was called independently (guaguanco, mambo, son montuno, guajira, cha cha, timba, pachanga, guaracha, etc) and so the songs were most of the time labeled with the rhythm name in the albums. When the term salsa was finally adopted all songs were then called simply salsa. However all those genre/rhythm names are still used to better describe a song. It's been a pleasure to help you out and if anyone needs more insight on this I will be glad to help!
The highlight of a salsa song, especially the "salsas romanticas", is the "coro especial". Usually happening after the "puente" (bridge). Aka Special Chorus. Here, the chorus singers sing something as "call", and the sonero (a) - lead salsa singer sings something in return as the "response". When the salsa singer does the response, also known as "la contesta"; moreover, a lot of Hector Lavoe salsa music fans call this the "complaint" or "rant" in the "response" - which is known as the "el pregon." Sometimes it is called "La llamada" (call) y El Pregon". Shortened as something like "Llamada y Pregon". In almost all salsas, this is usually the highest point of this Latin music. In some other salsa songs, like "La Cartera", a Fania Records favorite, the "Pregon" is not done by the salsa singer- but by a solo trumpet sometimes, as a variant, in place of a "sonero (-a)". Sometimes the instrumental "pregon" is added in between the regular vocal "llamada y pregon", before going back to all vocals-only "llamada y pregon." Even Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz's "Aguzate" uses this technique too. The "Llamada y Pregon" in salsa has an affinity to the call-and-response music often seen in Africa.
What an awesome explanation! There's a lot of work ahead educating the salseras and salseros, all instructors should make this part of their job. Gracias!
Great breakdown! Salsa music structure can become really complicated really fast. The way some people try to break it down, but not this time. Simple, concise and conducive to what we are actually going to be applying on the dance floor. I really wish all instructors took the time to explain this...... without having to pay an arm and a leg for a private lesson, lol.
Thank you so much for your comment, and yes I paid some money to get that information from several musicians and instructors around 2 or 3 salsa congresses. It should be known to everyone, it's so important. That's why I am happy to share 😊
Holy shit. I wanted to explain these parts in every song that I look forward to and I couldn’t explain it I kept explaining like this Call-response between solo and back up singers lol with the mambo right after. man that made me fall in love with this genre. And You explained it on a song I’m familiar with i just wish I knew what they were saying. Thank you
Well, timba is a different genre of salsa, it has some similarities but also some big differences, maybe I'm gonna make a video about timba with some of my friends from a Cuban salsa school. Stay tuned 😉
Maybe, but you know what they say in my country: people die at home, get out and do something. So I did. (On the flip side, I did all the editing at home, don't tell anyone).
Great explanation, one of the best and most concise I've heard.
Another suggestion for people learning salsa or new to the genre: listen to the most important instrument players on a salsa song, the timbalero and the bongo player (bongosero). They both change how they play depending on what part of the song they are. For example on the intro and outro the timbalero hits the timbal on the sides (what is called here "la cascara") and you can hear that distinctive sound of something hitting a metal can. The bongosero is playing the bongos on a normal rhythm following the timbalero. When the intro changes to the chorus part the timbalero changes from "la cascara" to start hitting the bell on top of the timbal which keeps the rhythm tempo for the group and maintains what we call "la clave". Some of them also play with the other free hand the wood block on top of the timbal (which is a substitution for the instrument also called "clave"). The bongosero in this part stops playing the bongo and switches to play the bell (campana) following the rhythm of the timbalero.
Yes, yes yes. Great suggestion 😍Actually I want to do another video about the instruments so that insight really helps. Maybe we could do it together?
Glad it helped! From a dancer perspective it may be difficult to grasp all the instruments, specially in more modern salsa where the melody and the singer are emphasized and the percussion isn't so identifiable like in the past. Older salsa albums, specially from the 60's and the 70's, are really good for getting a good grasp of all the percussion instruments in a song. Some of my favorites from the sixties are Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Machito, Rey Barreto, El Gran Combo, Ricardo Ray, among others, from the 70's I like too much artists to name them all haha. People should keep in mind that in the sixties the term "salsa" wasn't being used to describe the music, by that time each genre/rhythm was called independently (guaguanco, mambo, son montuno, guajira, cha cha, timba, pachanga, guaracha, etc) and so the songs were most of the time labeled with the rhythm name in the albums. When the term salsa was finally adopted all songs were then called simply salsa. However all those genre/rhythm names are still used to better describe a song.
It's been a pleasure to help you out and if anyone needs more insight on this I will be glad to help!
@@krambodance3377 we're still waiting new video with Jelly G. about salsa musicality
The highlight of a salsa song, especially the "salsas romanticas", is the "coro especial". Usually happening after the "puente" (bridge). Aka Special Chorus.
Here, the chorus singers sing something as "call", and the sonero (a) - lead salsa singer sings something in return as the "response". When the salsa singer does the response, also known as "la contesta"; moreover, a lot of Hector Lavoe salsa music fans call this the "complaint" or "rant" in the "response" - which is known as the "el pregon."
Sometimes it is called "La llamada" (call) y El Pregon". Shortened as something like "Llamada y Pregon".
In almost all salsas, this is usually the highest point of this Latin music.
In some other salsa songs, like "La Cartera", a Fania Records favorite, the "Pregon" is not done by the salsa singer- but by a solo trumpet sometimes, as a variant, in place of a "sonero (-a)". Sometimes the instrumental "pregon" is added in between the regular vocal "llamada y pregon", before going back to all vocals-only "llamada y pregon." Even Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz's "Aguzate" uses this technique too.
The "Llamada y Pregon" in salsa has an affinity to the call-and-response music often seen in Africa.
Excellent! 👌🏽
Thanks Brother!
What an awesome explanation! There's a lot of work ahead educating the salseras and salseros, all instructors should make this part of their job. Gracias!
Thank you for that comment, I appreciate it 😊🙏
Really nice and simple explained! Too often people explain salsa music structure almost as a PhD work... kudos for you, my man! 🎯
Thank you my friend, I try to keep it compact and simple. No PhD is not my style 😋
Really Great explanation. Will help meca lotbto stick to the musicality . Thk u😊
Thank you, Big Hug!
Very well explained
So well explained ❤🙌
Appreciating "if it's Tito puiente you'll know in the intro" 😌👍 Great video!
Thanks Brother 😊👍
Great breakdown! Salsa music structure can become really complicated really fast. The way some people try to break it down, but not this time. Simple, concise and conducive to what we are actually going to be applying on the dance floor. I really wish all instructors took the time to explain this...... without having to pay an arm and a leg for a private lesson, lol.
Thank you so much for your comment, and yes I paid some money to get that information from several musicians and instructors around 2 or 3 salsa congresses. It should be known to everyone, it's so important. That's why I am happy to share 😊
Holy shit. I wanted to explain these parts in every song that I look forward to and I couldn’t explain it I kept explaining like this Call-response between solo and back up singers lol with the mambo right after. man that made me fall in love with this genre. And You explained it on a song I’m familiar with i just wish I knew what they were saying. Thank you
Hi can You make a video while you dance (couple) and show us the different style on this parts of a salsa song??? Thanx
That's a great idea 💡😊
Great video! Thank you!
My pleasure!
Salsa is like a symphony!
Definetely can be as intricate and elaborated rhythmically.
Wow, thank you for your explanation and for your channel! Double thumbs up 😀😀😀
Thank-you very much for watching and liking 😍😍😍
Good job! All while driving :)
I thought some multitasking wouldn't hurt 😉. Also i was stuck in a traffic so...
Que gran video me gusta saludos departe de este colombiano cantante salsero
Gracias amigo!
Good breakdown. Much appreciate it.
Thank you for watching. 😁
Very interesting. Thanks.
Really nice expanation Marcin (and Marc! 😊), we're looking forward for more videos like this, ayy lucho luuucho , ayyy Como luuucho
Ayyy claro que si! Gratis Olga!
great video!
What about the cowbell? Is that during the montuno?
❤
Awesome explanation. I wish you wouldnt have been driving though
Thanks Bro 😍
Thank you for making this video. Is it the same, similiar, with timba?
No
Well, timba is a different genre of salsa, it has some similarities but also some big differences, maybe I'm gonna make a video about timba with some of my friends from a Cuban salsa school. Stay tuned 😉
Muy instructivo pero intenta colocarlo con transcripción en Español. Un saludo.
Saludos amigo 😊👍
👍 😎 👍
😘😍😘
You forgot bridge or middle 8
Thank you for pointing that out 👍
it was better if you stay at home
Maybe, but you know what they say in my country: people die at home, get out and do something. So I did. (On the flip side, I did all the editing at home, don't tell anyone).
Definitely a shame if you finish early!
I finish early several times in quick succession. 🤪
Marc Anthony Ain't SALSA!
🤣🤣🤣 Good one 😜
Can you categorise it then??
Can you categorise it then??