Material Culture of Mi Nina

The instruments that are played in Mi Nina and Bachata music are somewhat similar to those instruments in Merengue music.  Bachata music uses the guitar, electric bass, güira, and the bongos.  The apparels of Bachata music are also quite similar to those of the Merengue music.  These similarities are only because both styles originated in the Dominican Republic.  However, Mi Nina has its own style with its instruments and apparel used through Bachata music.

            The main instrument being used in Mi Nina is the guitar.  This type of guitar has a higher pitch than the normal guitar.  The pitch is this way because the guitars used in Bachata music are specially made for this genre.  Along with the guitar is the electric bass holding the tempo and rhythm of the song.  Due to the modern playing of this song it seems like the traditional bongos have been traded for a drum set.

            When all of these instruments are combined they make a great connection.  This great connection makes people want to dance and show the romance.  To further show this, the females will wear some sort of dress that could stand for sex appeal.  The males wear the traditional slacks and button shirt.  The females are the only ones who differ from Merengue music because their dresses are not traditional.  They are of a newer style showing the sex appeal the female dancer has for the male dancer.

            Mi Nina shows how Bachata performs on the record and on the dance floor.  This is done through the use of the instrumentation with special made guitar.  For on the dance floor women wear sexier outfits to show the romance the music brings to them and their partner.  Together, Mi Nina is a great example to help explain the material culture behind Bachata music.

Source: Hernandez, Deborah Pacini. Bachata. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press, 1995. 1-267.