What Is Son Cubano Dance and Music?

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What Is Son Cubano Dance and Music?

What Is Son Cubano Dance?

What is Son Cubano Dance?

Son Cubano is a genre of music that originated in Cuba in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a fusion of Spanish, African, and indigenous musical elements, and is considered to be the foundation of modern Cuban music.

Origins of Son Cubano Dance and music

The origins of Son Cubano can be traced back to the rural areas of Eastern Cuba, where Spanish colonizers, African slaves, and indigenous people all came together and blended their cultural influences. The result was a unique form of music that incorporated elements of Spanish guitar, African drumming, and indigenous rhythms.

Key features of son cubano music – Cuban son musical characteristics

One of the key features of Son Cubano is the use of the tres, a small guitar-like instrument that is strung with three sets of double strings. The tres is typically played with a fast, syncopated rhythm, and is often accompanied by a percussion section made up of congas, bongos, and claves.

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Son Cubano Dance

Another important aspect of Son Cubano is the use of call-and-response vocals, where the lead singer sings a phrase and the chorus responds. This style of singing is believed to have originated with African slaves, who used it as a way to communicate with each other while working on plantations.

Evolution of Cuban Son overtime

In the early 20th century, Son Cubano began to evolve and incorporate elements of jazz (and Jazz dance) and other popular music styles. This led to the development of new subgenres, such as the bolero-son and the guaracha-son.

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Son Cubano Dance

During the 1920s and 30s, Son Cubano became popular among the urban working class in Havana, and soon spread to other parts of Cuba and the Caribbean. In the 1940s and 50s, it also gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the Latin communities of New York City and Miami.

Son Cubano Today: Cultural heritage  and Tradition

Today, Son Cubano is considered to be a national treasure of Cuba, and is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. It continues to be played and enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and is considered to be a vital link to the island’s past.

Despite the political and economic changes in Cuba, Son Cubano has managed to maintain its popularity both on the island and abroad. Many famous artist like Buena Vista Social Club and Los Van Van brought it to the world stage and many young talents continue to keep the genre alive.

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Son Cubano Dance

In conclusion, Son Cubano is a genre of music that has its roots in the cultural fusion of Eastern Cuba. Its unique blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous influences, along with its incorporation of elements from other music styles, has made it a beloved and enduring part of Cuba’s cultural heritage.

What are the different type of son?

  • Son cubano – Cuban Son
  • Son Montuno – Cuban Son Montuno
  • Son Moderno – Modern Son Cubano

What is the difference between son cubano and son montuno?

The son montuno was born in Santiago de Cuba. It was formed by a mixture, in perfect harmony, of African rhythms mixed with the metric and style of Spanish music. Although it has a similar rhythm to the son, they do not have a common origin

Son Cubano Dance – Cuban Son Dance Video

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Son Cubano Dance

Son Cubano Dance

10 most influential son cubano artist

  1. Arsenio Rodriguez: He is considered one of the most important figures in the development of son cubano. He introduced the tres guitar as a lead instrument in son cubano and developed a unique style of playing that is still widely imitated today.
  2. Benny More: He was one of the most popular and influential son cubano singers of the 20th century. He had a powerful and emotive voice, and his music played a big role in popularizing son cubano music in Cuba and abroad.
  3. Beny Moré: He was a Cuban singer, bandleader and songwriter. He is one of the most popular and enduring figures in Cuban music, known for his emotive voice and his ability to blend various styles of music.
  4. Celia Cruz: She was one of the most successful and renowned son cubano singers of all time. She had a powerful, emotive voice and was known for her ability to convey the energy and passion of the music.

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  5. Compay Segundo: He was a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He was one of the most important figures in the development of son cubano, and his music has had a lasting impact on the genre.
  6. Eliades Ochoa: He is a Cuban singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He is a member of the famous band Cuarteto Patria and known for his unique style of singing and his virtuosity on the tres guitar.
  7. Ibrahim Ferrer: He was a Cuban singer and musician, who rose to fame as a member of the Buena Vista Social Club, a group of aging Cuban musicians who were rediscovered and brought to international fame by the American guitarist Ry Cooder.
  8. Los Van Van: They are one of the most popular and enduring son cubano bands of all time. They have been active since the late 1960s and have played a big role in modernizing and popularizing son cubano music.

    Son Cubano Dance

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  9. Orquesta Aragón: They were a Cuban band that was active from 1939 to 2007. They played a key role in the popularization of son cubano music and have been credited with helping to establish the genre as a major force in Cuban music.
  10. Pello el Afrokan: He is a Cuban singer, rapper, and songwriter. He’s known for his unique style of singing which combines traditional son cubano with elements of hip hop and other contemporary music styles. He has been credited with helping to bring son cubano to a new generation of music lovers.

10 Most Popular Son Cubano Songs of all time

  1. “Guantanamera” – Compay Segundo (1960)
  2. “El Carretero” – Guillermo Rodriguez (1958)
  3. “El Son de la Negra” – Arsenio Rodriguez (1953)
  4. “La Vida es un Carnaval” – Celia Cruz (1992)
  5. “Bilongo” – Beny Moré (1957)
  6. “La Rumba Me Llamo Yo” – Los Van Van (1971)
  7. “El Cuarto de Tula” – Buena Vista Social Club (1997)
  8. “Son de la Loma” – Ibrahim Ferrer (2000)
  9. “Echale Salsita” – Orquesta Aragón (1952)
  10. “La Mulata Rumbera” – Pello el Afrokan (2018)

Son Cubano Dance

What are the main Son Cubano Instruments?

The most common instruments used in son cubano music include:

  1. Tres: a small guitar-like instrument with three sets of double strings, it is usually played with a fast, syncopated rhythm.
  2. Guitar: a Spanish-style guitar is also commonly used to provide a melodic accompaniment.
  3. Bongo: a small, cylindrical drum that is played with the hands and is used to provide a rhythmic foundation for the music.
  4. Conga: a tall, cylindrical drum that is played with the hands and is used to provide a deep, bass-like sound.
  5. Claves: a pair of small wooden sticks that are struck together to provide a rhythmic accent.
  6. Trumpet: a trumpet is often used to provide a melodic lead in son cubano music.
  7. Piano: a piano is also often used in son cubano music, especially in the more modern and contemporary styles.
  8. Bass: a bass guitar or an upright bass is also commonly used in son cubano music, to provide a solid bass line.
  9. Timbales: two drums similar to bongos but with a higher pitch, they are played with sticks and are used to provide a sharp and lively rhythm.
  10. Maracas: a pair of shakers, they are often used to provide a rhythmic accent and help to create the lively, upbeat feel of son cubano music.
  11. Guiro

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Son Cubano Dance

Why is Son Cubano Important?

Son cubano is considered an important part of Cuban culture and heritage. It has played a vital role in shaping the country’s identity and has had a lasting impact on its history and people. Some of the reasons why son cubano is important include:

  1. Cultural heritage: Son cubano is considered a national treasure of Cuba and is an important link to the island’s past. It reflects the cultural fusion of Spanish, African, and indigenous influences that have shaped Cuban society and identity.
  2. Music Evolution: Son Cubano is considered the foundation of modern Cuban music, it has evolved over time and has given birth to many subgenres such as bolero-son and guaracha-son.
  3. Popularity: Son cubano has been popular for over a century and continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. It is still widely played and appreciated both in Cuba and abroad.
  4. Economic impact: Son cubano has had a significant impact on Cuba’s economy, providing jobs and opportunities for musicians, performers, and other industry professionals.
  5. Cultural diplomacy: Son cubano has played a role in promoting Cuba’s culture and identity on the international stage, helping to build bridges and foster understanding between different cultures and communities.
  6. Musical influence: Son cubano has had a significant influence on the development of other Latin American music genres such as Salsa, Mambo and Cha-cha-cha.
  7. Lyrics and themes: Son cubano lyrics often reflect the life of the common people, the struggles, and the joys, it also reflects the social and political issues of the time.

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Son Cubano Dance

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Son Cubano Dance

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