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TH
7
GRADE VPA
LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC
Indigenous Peoples
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Mexico and Central America: Aztec, Maya,
and Inca.
 South America, over 100 languages and 2000
dialects.
 Several conquests over the past 500 years,
Spanish or Portuguese; genocide of much
indigenous population, early 16th century
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Latin/South American Instruments
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Indigenous music
 Flutes, ocarinas, conches, panpipes, and various
percussion instruments
 Vocal music, often associated with rituals and
hymns
 Post-colonial
 String instruments, related to violin, harp, guitars
 Other wind instruments including accordion, and
brass instruments.
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South America- Andes Mountain Region
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South America- Andes Mountain Region
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Andes Village Musicians, featuring panpipes & drums (YouTube)
Chilean Nueva Canción
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“El Aparecido” (YouTube)
Voice & Instruments including Charango, kena, multiple
percussion
sesquialtera = simultaneous feeling of 6/8 and 3/4
meters.
Counterpoint between two different vocal parts.
Good example of nueva cancion, a modern and
socially conscious musical style and message that
draws attention to the struggles for dignity by
everyday people.
Chilean Nueva Canción
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Kena
Charango
Bolivian K’antu
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“Kutirimunapaq” (YouTube)
Instruments including multiple (over 20!) zampoña
(pan flute), wankara drum, and ch’inisku (triangle).
hocket = alternating notes of melody among several
voices and/or instruments
Doubling of melodic line in parallel octaves and
fifths.
Formal structure of ABC, and repeated
Continuous dancing along with the music
Bolivian K’antu
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Wankara drum
Harp
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Without pedals (one scale)
In the region for hundreds of years
Initially brought from European
missionaries
Typically a male occupation
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Instrumental Ensemble
Harp
Mariachi Music (YouTube)
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Mariachi groups have an almost universal repertoire.
These include songs such as La Bamba, Cielito Lindo,
Jalisco, El Son de la Negra and El Rey.
The definitive song form is the son. The son in
indigenous to mariachi music and has several notable
characteristics. The rhythmic pattern is an alteration
between 3/4 and 6/8 with heavy syncopation.
Trumpets and violins make extensive use a grace
notes
Lyrics are often humorous or nonsensical