Social Organization of Procura

The Dominican Republic is famous for their traditional style of music and beautiful dances.  Also many should know that in the Dominican Republic anybody can make music, sing, and dance.  However, this is different with the Merengue genre which is what the song Procura falls under.  This type of song can really only be played by someone with a lot of practice.  The song Procura is able to be listened to anywhere but it takes a certain skill to play.

            The first issue with this song is who plays the music.  The people that are heard playing the music are people who have been playing for a very long time.  These certain people have a natural gift to play instruments.  They are considered professionals and they do make records through their talents.  Procura is a song where many talents can be heard along with many complicated rhythms.

            Only a select few are able to play the music of the Merengue genre.  However, everyone listens to these dynamic tunes.  Merengue and the song Procura do not call for a certain racial or ethnic group.  Nor does it call for a certain part of society, which means whether someone is rich or poor they will listen.  Procura was made in the purpose to let the whole entire world hear, not just a couple of people.

            Therefore, Procura can be listened to by anyone but cannot be played by an amateur.  True professional musicians are the only ones who can play this song.  On the other hand this song was not made for a select group to hear but the whole world.  Procura shows the certain aspects of social organization behind Merengue music.

Source: Sellers, Julia A. Merengue and Dominican Identity. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2004. 1-225.