Final Analytical Essay
The Dominican Republic is sometimes known as the central area for Latin music. Latin music is a broad genre with many genres underneath of it. These genres can include Habanera, Conjunto, Salsa, and many more. The two main genres of the Dominican Republic are Merengue and Bachata. These two make up the traditional and popular music industries of this specific country. Starting in 1930 the Dominican Republic earned themselves a new dictator. This man went by the name of Rafael Trujillo and he was the one responsible for making music so popular. He made a statement that everyone in the country should be listening to Merengue music. When this was said radio stations starting playing this genre more and more. This put pressure on the Merengue musicians to become better than what they were before. After this statement was made Merengue music began to evolve in to popular music. On the traditional side of the Dominican Republic is the newer genre of Bachata. Although it is younger it still has more traditional traits to the music. At the beginning of this music no one wanted to admit they liked it because they would be going against their dictator. Soon after its invention the dictator died and everyone was able to like something else other than Merengue. Merengue music has many differences and some similarities to the style of Bachata music.
Merengue music has been around for a very long time and has not changed much. One of the people who have had control of this music or have made a big impact was Dictator Trujillo. Appropriate context for Merengue music ranges to just about anything. Typically the most important part of the song is the music not the vocalists. Merengue music is for the most part only made by professionals or someone with a lot of experience. This music that is played is difficult and does require many hours of practice. One can see this through the difficult rhythm and tempo speed of Procura. Procura does also put off the sense of what type of dance would go with this music. Merengue has come up with their own dance called Merengue which would be very appropriate with this song. This dance does involve a male and a female that are connected by the hands at all times with their bodies touching for a lot of the dance.
Bachata is somewhat similar to that of Merengue music. Bachata does have its own dance where the partners are connected at the hands at all times but the dancers move in an eight step square. Bachata music was impacted by Dictator Trujillo because he did not accept this type music. This made the musicians angry giving them the drive to make better music. Bachata is the more popular the two main genres but the style is traditional. Rather than using a regular guitar, like Merengue, Bachata has made up their own. This new guitar has a distinct sound making the music exemplify the traditional characteristics. Bachata music such as Mi Nina is written with easy tunes to be played. These rhythms and tempos do not range in notes to keep it easy. Keeping the music easy lets the people hear the music and be able to pass it on to their families. Also, Bachata is very strict about singing in Spanish to try and keep the tradition of their culture to keep going.
In conclusion, Bachata music and Merengue music can be very different but also have similar traits. Both genres have been influenced greatly by the previous leader Dictator Rafael Trujillo. This dictator supported Merengue and did not support Bachata. When this was found out it gave both genres the drive to do better than before. Merengue music is a traditional style of Latin music with its own little addition. The dances that go with Merengue are made for Merengue and the partners never let go of one another while dancing. Bachata music is the full on traditional style of Latin music. The Bachata dance is very formal and the partners move in a square like motion to keep that formality. One of the main differences between Merengue and Bachata is the language that is used. In Merengue it is a choice to sing in Spanish or in English while in Bachata one must sing in Spanish to keep the tradition. When all is said and done Bachata is the more popular of the two genres, giving it the upper hand of driving keeping the heritage of the Dominican Republic.
Source: Sellers, Julia A. Merengue and Dominican Identity. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2004. 1-225.
Source: Hernandez, Deborah Pacini. Bachata. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press, 1995. 1-267.
