Above:
Richard Marcel & Suzanne Hammond demonstrating at
Worthing Congress 2006
Bachata
is a form of music and dance that originated in the
countryside and rural marginal neighborhoods of the
Dominican Republic.
Its
subjects are usually romantic; especially prevalent
are tales of heartbreak and sadness. In fact, the original
term used to name the genre used to be ‘amargue’
(‘bitterness’ or ‘bitter music’),
until the rather ambiguous (and mood-neutral) term bachata
became popular
Music
Bachata grew out of, and is still closely related
to, the pan Latin-American romantic style called bolero.
Over time, it has been influenced by merengue - a fast
paced danceable music also native to the Dominican Republic
- and by a variety of Latin American guitar styles.
The
music itself is played in 4/4. The most recognizable
aspect of bachata instrumentation is the use of an amplified
guitar (either electric or acoustic) whose sound has
been doctored with a flanger, reverb, echo, or a combination
of the three. The use of arpeggiated chords as the basis
for the melody is almost standard. An additional guitar,
usually mixed at a lower volume, may be used to provide
a basic backbeat, although an electric bass guitar may
be used instead. The use of bongo drums as to provide
both syncopation and occasional percussive accents is
also a feature of bachata; bongo solos during chorus
breaks in bachata songs are rather common.
History
Derived from the Latin American tradition of
guitar music, and originally named for the crude bars
and clubs were guitarists and singers would perform,
bachata emerged in the 1960s. While popular radio filled
the air waves with merengue and salsa, bachata musicians
were forced to develop their own system of producing
and distributing their music. Unlike merengue, which
is also performed by women singers, bachata was predominantly
performed by male singers such as Luis Segura.
Juan
Luis Guerra won a Grammy in 1992 for his album Bachata
Rosa allowing bachata to gain legitimacy and international
recognition. The bachata that has gained popularity
is produced with electric instruments and exhibits masterful
use of the guitar. It is often faster than its predecessors,
and is very danceable. In recent years, Dominican television
stations have produced vastly popular bachata dance
contests for broadcast.
At
present, 2006, the Dominican group Aventura is probably
the best known bachata group worldwide. Its single ‘Obsesion’
having dominated radio play for a long time both in
major US Latino markets, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican
Republic. Other artists of note include Antony Santos,
Raulin Rodriguez, Zacarias Ferreira, Frank Reyes, Luis
Vargas, Monchy y Alexandra, Andy Andy, Leonardo Paniagua,
Los Toros Band, and Joe Veras.
Dance
The basic footwork is a series of simple steps
that produce a back and forth or sideways motion. A
schematic footwork would be as follows: starting with
the right foot make a chasse to the right on counts
1,2,3. On 4, touch the left toe beside your right foot
(alternatively, tapping the left toe in place, i.e.
apart from the right foot, make an upwards jerk with
the left hip). Then do the same from your left foot.
The character of the dance is achieved through sensual
hip and body movements.Taken from the Wikipedia website.
You
can see the original article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachata
Richard
Marcel |
