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| The Vallenato
is a
relatively young type of music that started developing an identity at
the beginning of the 20th century. It is a direct descendant
of the Cumbia and as such it also has a binary rhythmic
structure. The
basic Vallenato ensemble is
composed of three instruments: The drum or box which
gives rhythmic support, the Guacharaca or reeder which also
gives
rhythmic
support and the accordion that is in charge of melody or
counter melody, and harmonic support. Is
interesting to see that in this three instrument you also see the
influence
of the
three races, the accordion came from Europe, the drum from Africa and
the
Guacharaca from the native Colombians.
Another important aspect of this music is the particular
color
that has the typical Vallenato voice and the harmony used by the second
voices. In the following sample this is particularly evident. |
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The
Vallenato is a
clear example of what I told before: Colombian music starts
from
below and
slowly grabs the heart of all the nation. When I was a kid, this
type of music was of bad taste
in my social
circle; however, as time passes it clearly gets more
and
more followers.
The next vallenato is
a
vallenato by Jorge Celedón, whom in this moment is one of
the most popular exponents of this type of music, this particular song
was a complete and absolute hit in all layers of Colombian society: |
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