IGCSE
Latin Amerca
Mexico, Central America, Parts of the
Caribbean, and South America
 Influence from Europe (Spanish and
Portugues), Africa, and Native cultures.
 Most of this region is Spanish speaking,
however some countries also speak
Portugues, English, and French. Not all
countries in the region are considered
“Latin” (ex. Jamaica, Guyana).
 You will not need to be able to identify
which country a piece of music comes from
in your exam.
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Mariachi
Mariachi
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Mariachi is a type of
ensemble originating
in Mexico.
Used in celebrations
 Birthdays, holidays,
weddings, funerals, etc.
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Ensemble contains
 Violins, trumpets,
guitars, guitarron,
vihuela,
 Occasionally, other
instruments may be
used.
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Article
Mariachi Listening – Link –
Cielito Lindo
What is the time signature?
 Which instruments are used?
 Name the technique used in the violins
at 0:38.
 Name two things that change at this
point.
 What texture is this music?

Mariachi Listening 2 – Link –
Jesusita en Chihuahua
What is the time signature?
 What word would you use to describe
the tempo?
 What is the technique being used by the
violins in the beginning?
 How would you describe the relationship
between the violins and trumpets in this
song?
 What is the texture?
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Tango
Typical Instruments
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Bandoneon
Violin
Guitar
Flute
Piano
Tango
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Dance music from Argentina and Uruguay.
Can be instrumental or have vocals.
Usually played on guitar, however an
orquesta típica is often used.
 String section – Violin, viola, cello
 Banodeon section
 Rhythm section – Piano, Double Bass
○ Examples : La Puñalada, La Espera, Tango Negro Trio
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In 2/4 or 4/4 time.
Melodramatic
Syncopated rhythms
Tango Listening - Link
What is the key signature?
 What is the first instrument you hear?
 What other instruments do you hear?
 What type of voice is the singer?
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Baritone
Bass
Tenor
Alto
Name 3 examples of why this example is
typical of tango?
Andean Music
Andes
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The Andes Mountains begin in Venezuela and end on the
Southern tip on Argentina. Within these mountains was the Incan
empire which spanned from Ecuador to Bolivia. The Incas, along
with Spanish settlers created a unique music known as “Andean”.
Cultural
influences from
the Incas, Spain,
Africa, Asia
Andean Instruments
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Pan Flute / Panpipes
(Zampoña)
Charango (small,
double stringed guitar)
Cajon
Rain Stick
Chullus
Bombo Leguero
(drum)
Other instruments
such as violins,
guitars, and brass
may also be used.
Andean Music Elements
Use of Pentatonic Scale
 Traditional instruments are wood winds,
percussion, and strings.
 Huayno – tradtional Peruvian music, is
the music typically heard from this
region.

 Emphasis on beat 1.
Andean Listening - Link
What are the two instruments in the
beginning?
 How are they different from each other?
 What is the texture?
 What key is it in?
 What instrument(s) enters at 1:21.
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Andean Listening - Link
What is the texture?
 How do you notate the rhythm in the
charango?
 What is the key signature?
 What is the time signature?
 What would you call the repeated
rhythm in the background?
 List 3 examples of why this music is
typical of Latin American music.
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