What is Salsa?

Since its origins in the 20th century, salsa has experienced a global triumph as a musical genre. The music associated with Salsa, but also the culture of life, the dances and identity constructions are very diverse. According to Sanabria [1], the original culinary meaning of the word definitely had to do with its transfer to a musical style, and more essential than the search for those who first said salsa is for him the one who first applied salsa as a designation for a certain kind of music.

Salsa, meaning “sauce,” is a blend of various rhythms—each one an ingredient that comes together to create the essence of Salsa. You might say Salsa isn’t a single genre but a fusion of different styles, especially Son Montuno or Son Cubano (Cuban Son).

1. Quintero, Sabrina (1994): „Artikel Salsa“. In: Finscher, Ludwig (Hrsg.): Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Stuttgart: Bärenreiter.

To explore the origins of salsa, we need to travel back to colonial times when African rhythms and European harmonies came together in the Caribbean amid intricate historical influences. This cultural fusion birthed salsa's vibrant rhythmic identity—a powerful testament to resilience and creativity that continues to evolve and enchant audiences around the globe.

Origins and Evolution

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Uncover the vibrant heartbeat of salsa music, where raw urban energy blends seamlessly with intricate rhythms, and tradition fuses with fresh innovation. Experience how salsa’s rapid, layered rhythms, lively brass sections, and dynamic ensemble work together to create a signature sound that pulses with the essence of Latin culture.

Character
and Structure

Immerse yourself in the essence of Salsa music, where the clave rhythm serves as the foundation for an exhilarating fusion of sounds and cultures. Explore how vibrant instruments and the interactive coro/pregón structure come together to craft a lively musical experience that celebrates passion, resilience, and a rich cultural heritage.

Elements of Salsa

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Origins and Evolution

To understand this musical phenomena, it is necessary to take a look at colonial history. Here, slavery plays an important role, since during this period, from about 1440 to the middle of the 19th century, probably several million Africans were taken to the New World by the conquerors of the American continent. Although the colonists tried to forbid the slaves their culture, they were able to continue practicing some of their rites secretly. However, since mainly young Africans were brought to the Caribbean, there were few trained musicians among them, and when they came into contact with European culture, mixed forms developed. Here, it is especially the rhythms of the Africans that combined with the harmonics and melodies of the Europeans. Likewise, on the religious level, there was also a blending of African customs and Christianity, with music becoming a means of expression for Santería and Candomblé, for example.

Salsa, particularly flourishing in New York, combines African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences, becoming a globally recognized genre that celebrates cultural diversity [1].

According to many sources, the roots of Salsa are primarily to be found in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Especially in the rhythmic-musical structure, the influence of the Cuban Son is recognizable [2]. However, Salsa is by no means a homogeneous phenomenon and besides the Caribbean influences, North American music, especially Jazz, has also contributed to its development [3].

1. Bin Md Tarip, M.T.A. (2016). Theoretical Perspectives on Clave in Salsa Music. University of British Columbia.

2. Boggs, Vernon W. [Eds.] (1992): Salsiology. Afro-Cuban Music and the Evolution of Salsa in New York City. Greenwood Press.

3. Quintero, Sabrina (1994): „Artikel Salsa“. In: Finscher, Ludwig (Hrsg.): Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Stuttgart: Bärenreiter.

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Character and Structure

What primarily distinguishes salsa from rural Son is its urban character, which is reflected in the music and lyrics. Thus, the salsa is faster, the sound corresponding to the rough barrio ambience more aggressive, more upbeat and the salsa ensemble is more urban in its character[1].

In the salsa ensemble, the son conjunto is expanded as the rhythm section, divided into the two levels high and low, consisting of bongos, a pair of congas, timbales, a cowbell (campana), claves, bass, piano, tres, and other minor percussion instruments such as güiro and maracas [2].

Usually there are two to three front singers, a choir, and the brass section, consisting of trumpets, trombones, and occasionally saxophones, is the main distinguishing feature of Salsa. The clave pattern takes a central position among the percussion patterns, since it represents the "key" for the polyrhythmic structure and serves as orientation for the musicians [3].

After the instrumental intro, the flow of a salsa piece is characterized primarily by the alternation of montunos and mambos, the former denoting alternating chants between the choir and soloists (often in the call-and-response principle) and the latter instrumental riffs. In addition, it falls to the lead singer to perform the verses, and both singers and instrumentalists demonstrate their skills in solo improvisations. The conclusion is usually a coda, which can correspond to the intro [4].

1. Leymarie, Isabelle (2002): Cuban Fire. London, New York: Continuum.

2. Padura Fuentes, Leonardo (2003): Faces of Salsa. A Spoken History of the Music. Washington/ London: Smithonian Books.

3. Boggs, Vernon W. [Eds.] (1992): Salsiology. Afro-Cuban Music and the Evolution of Salsa in New York City. Greenwood Press.

4. Padura Fuentes, Leonardo (2003): Faces of Salsa. A Spoken History of the Music. Washington/ London: Smithonian Books.

Elements of the Salsa

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Elements of Salsa

The Clave

Salsa’s rhythm is rooted in the clave, a foundational rhythmic pattern found in Afro-Cuban music. Salsa arrangements typically feature instruments like the piano, bass, horns, and Latin percussion, creating layered, dynamic rhythms that are signature to the genre. A prominent feature in Salsa is the montuno, a syncopated piano pattern adding melodic depth and structure to the music[1].

The clave is the foundation of most Cuban rhythms, with instrument patterns, melodic phrases, and even improvisation built around it. This unique relationship between the clave and all other instruments remains constant [2].

It is a rhythmic pattern with two parts, creating a back-and-forth feel of tension and release. Played over two measures, it has a steady pulse on counts 1 and 3, which holds the rhythm together while other instruments often play off-beat patterns. Understanding the clave means seeing how it connects with this steady beat.
The clave can be played in either a 3-2 or 2-3 direction.

This video delves into the importance of the clave, tracing its historical roots and examining its role in shaping rhythmic patterns and influencing melody and composition. The clave acts as a foundational rhythmic guide, central to Cuban and African sacred music. The concept of being "in clave" is vital, where melodies must align with the clave rhythm to preserve musical integrity. The video also explores how the clave is adapted in various musical styles, including New Orleans and Brazilian music, highlighting its crucial role in performance, composition, and arrangement:

1. Malabe, F. and Weiner, B. (1990). Afro Cuban Rhythms For Drumset. Manhattan Music Publications. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/41921534/Afro_Cuban_Rhythms_For_Drumset_Frank_Malabe_and_Bob_Weiner

2. Mauleón (1993). Salsa Guidebook for Piano & Ensemble. SHER MUSIC CO.

Coro/Pregón

In Salsa music, the "Coro/Pregón" structure adds a dynamic, interactive quality to the genre. This call-and-response format, rooted in Afro-Cuban and Caribbean traditions, involves the lead singer, or pregón (meaning "caller" or "leader"), singing a line or verse, which is then echoed by the coro, a group of backup singers. This exchange brings a sense of dialogue to the music, allowing the performers to express emotion, tell stories, and even engage the audience directly, creating an atmosphere of shared energy and immediacy [1, 2].

The coro/pregón style is deeply connected to African traditions, where music is a communal experience involving both performers and listeners. In Salsa, this structure builds intensity, as the pregón improvises, and the coro underscores key lines and messages. This back-and-forth not only enriches the music’s emotional depth but also highlights themes of passion, resilience, and cultural identity [3]. Through coro/pregón, Salsa connects the past with the present, establishing a lively conversation between musicians and audiences that is central to its storytelling power [4].

1. Leymarie, Isabelle (2002): Cuban Fire. London, New York: Continuum.
2. Padura Fuentes, Leonardo (2003): Faces of Salsa. A Spoken History of the Music. Washington/ London: Smithonian Books.

3. Boggs, Vernon W. [Eds.] (1992): Salsiology. Afro-Cuban Music and the Evolution of Salsa in New York City. Greenwood Press.

4. Mauleón (1993). Salsa Guidebook for Piano & Ensemble. SHER MUSIC CO.

Musical Instruments of Salsa

Salsa music is celebrated for its vibrant, layered rhythms and melodies, all driven by a diverse set of instruments. Each plays a unique role, coming together to create the rich, polyrhythmic sound that defines the genre.

Percussion Instruments

At the heart of Salsa are the percussion instruments, which deliver the distinctive rhythms essential to its sound. Congas—tall, single-headed drums—produce deep, resonant tones, played with syncopated patterns that provide a steady pulse [1]. Bongos, smaller double-headed drums, add sharp accents and typically open up the rhythm with high-pitched, staccato notes that blend with the congas [2]. Timbales, with their metal shells, are played with sticks, creating rapid rolls and fills that bring flair and intensity to solos [3].

The clave, made up of two wooden sticks, serves as both an instrument and the rhythmic foundation for Salsa. This rhythm, rooted in Afro-Cuban music, is the guiding beat that other instruments follow [4].

TIMBALES

CONGAS

BONGÓ

CLAVE

3. Leymarie, Isabelle (2002): Cuban Fire. London, New York: Continuum.

4. Bin Md Tarip, M. T. A. (2016). Theoretical perspectives on clave in salsa music (T). University of British Columbia. Retrieved from https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0228889

Cowbells

In Salsa music, two distinct cowbells are used to accentuate rhythmic shifts and drive the song’s energy. The bongo player uses one cowbell (campana) when the music moves to an arriba phase (an energetic, heightened section), adding a high-pitched, steady beat to reinforce the rhythm [1]. The second cowbell, played by the timbal player (contracampana), comes into play during transitions from abajo (a softer, lower intensity section) to arriba. This timbale cowbell is especially prominent when the music stays in the arriba phase, intensifying the rhythm in the montuno section and reinforcing the lively interplay between rhythm and melody, which is key to Salsa’s character [2, 3].

CAMPANA

CONTRACAMPANA

3. Leymarie, Isabelle (2002): Cuban Fire. London, New York: Continuum.

Additional Percussive Elements

GUIRO

Additional instruments like maracas and the güiro add texture and rhythm. Maracas, handheld shakers, provide a continuous background rhythm that complements other percussion [1].

MARACAS

1. Padura Fuentes, Leonardo (2003): Faces of Salsa. A Spoken History of the Music. Washington/ London: Smithonian Books.

Brass and Woodwind Instruments

TRUMPET

Brass instruments, especially trumpets and trombones, bring power and melody to Salsa. Playing in harmony, they produce syncopated lines that punctuate the music and amplify its dynamic energy. Their bright, forceful sound is a signature of Salsa, energizing both dancers and listeners [1].

TROMBNONE

1. Boggs, Vernon W. [Eds.] (1992): Salsiology. Afro-Cuban Music and the Evolution of Salsa in New York City. Greenwood Press.

Piano and Bass

The piano provides harmony and rhythmic support, often using montuno—repetitive, syncopated phrases that enhance the melody while interacting with percussion. These montuno phrases create Salsa’s distinct "swing," adding harmonic complexity and room for improvisation [1]. The bass, whether upright or electric, anchors the ensemble with a steady, syncopated line that follows the clave, forming a rhythmic and harmonic base that supports solos [2].

BASS

PIANO

1. Mauleón (1993). Salsa Guidebook for Piano & Ensemble. SHER MUSIC CO.

2. O’Hare, A. (2019). The Evolution of Sampling Technology: From Analog to Digital. Sound & Vision Magazine. Available at: https://soundandvision.com/evolution-of-sampling-technology

Together, these instruments create the vibrant, dynamic soundscape that defines Salsa.

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