Bachata was created primarily by servants, who played it
after their work days ended. They made the music out of ordinary
objects like those commonly found in a backyard such as trashcans
and fences. In some rural areas of the Dominican Republic, bachata
means trash, but most citizens also agree that it means a party.
Others say that bachata is derived from the Italian ballata, which was a popular
form of music in Italy centuries ago.[citation
needed] Bachata did not begin as the
popular dance music that it is today and it was not acceptable
among higher society.Guitar (either electric or
acoustic) whose sound has been doctored with a flanger, reverb, echo, or a combination of
the three, is featured. The use of arpeggiated chords as the basis
for the melody is almost standard. An additional guitar, called the
segunda, or rhythm
guitar, is usually mixed at a lower volume, and provides
syncopation. An electric
bass guitar and güira help anchor the rhythm
- with the güira sounding a bit like a high-hat (in pre 1990s
bachata, maracas were played instead of güira). The use of
the bongo drum further
solidifies the basic beat, and provides and percussive
accents in transition points -
for instance right before a chorus
History
As popular radio
filled the air waves with merengue and salsa, bachata musicians
and their sponsors were forced to develop a a grass-roots system of
producing and distributing their music. As with most styles of
Latin American music, bachata is predominantly performed by male
singers. Some of the important early bachateros are
José Manuel Calderón, Eladio
Romero Santos, Edilio Paredes, Luis Segura, Ramon
Cordero, and Rafael
Encarnación.
The bachata played today uses electric guitar and has
phrasing which is more rhythmic and groove-like than in earlier
styles. The evolution to electric has perhaps helped make bachata
more accessible.
Some associate Juan Luis Guerra's Grammy winning
1992 release, Bachata Rosa,
with bachata's rise in legitimacy and international recognition.
Others argue that Guerra had very little to do with bachata's rise,
and that, although he used the word 'bachata' in an album title, he
never actually even recorded a song in a typical bachata
style.
At present 2006, the Dominican
group Aventura is probably the best
known bachata group worldwide with its single
"Obsesión" having dominated for a long time radio
play both in Latin America, US Latino markets, and countries as
distant as Italy and Sweden. While they are
superseded at the international level by Aventura, for the
Dominican audience, the most popular of the modern bachateros have
been Antony
Santos & Luis Vargas . Other artists of
note include Raulin Rodriguez, Zacarias Ferreira, Frank Reyes, Monchy y Alexandra, Domenic Marte, Xtreme, Andy Andy, Elvis
Martinez, Leonardo Paniagua, Los
Toros Band, and Joe
Veras.
Dance
The basic footwork is a series of simple steps that
produce a back and forth or sideways motion. A schematic footwork
would be as follows: starting with the right foot make a
chasseto the right on counts 1,2,3.
On 4, touch the left toe beside your right foot (alternatively,
tapping the left toe in place, i.e., apart from the right foot,
make an upwards jerk with the left hip). Then do the same from your
left foot. The character of the dance is achieved through sensual
hip and body movements. You can also add turns to spice it up a
little or dance closer together or far apart depending on how
comfortable you are with your dance partner. The more you dance
with someone the more likely you will be able to lead them or be
led. Usually the male leads and the female
follows.
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