Cuban Rumba Essay Example for Free

Cuban trip the light fantastic EssayCuban music is a combination of genres and styles, which encompasses quite a long history. Cuban music has been molded by the music and voices of Latin America, Europe, and dismantle Jazz. Of course, Spain and Africa did also read an evident influence on the music as well. There be many different types of Cuban music all of which is meant for the soul to enjoy. Rumba is a actually a secular folkloric form of music, which consists of drumming, spring and singing of both African and Spanish languages that has been performed for ages. The rumba term or influence is actually derived from the sixteenth century when black slaves were importedfrom Africa, and the word Rumba can cover a variety of name such as Son, Guagira, Guaracha, and Naningo. However, the exact meaning of the word varies from location to location. Still, it is strongly evident that the Cuban Rumba leaping hails originally from Africa where the native Rumba folk move was es sentially a sexual dance that was vigorously fast with strong and forceful hip movements as well as sensually in-your-face attitudes on the part of a man and a defensive attitude on the part of a woman. The music, itself was played with a staccato beat, keeping up with the thrusting and vigorous movementsof the passionate dancers. Instruments that were also include were the marimbola, the claves, and the drums. The Son was the popular dance of middle class Cuba. It is, in fact, a modified slower and even more refined version of the native Rumba. The instruments ar basically still the same as are the movements. However, they are toned down a bit. And, even slower than this dance is the Danzon. The Danzon is the dance of wealthy Cuban society. In this dance, very small steps are taken, while the women producea very subtle tiltingof the hips by alternately bending and straightening the knees. The dance known in the United States today as the Rumba is a complicated of several(prenomi nal) dances popular in Cuba, including the guaracha, the Cuban bolero, the Cuban son, and the arcadian rumba. All of the dances have very corresponding rhythms that can be traced back to religious and ceremonial dances of Africa. The same pulsating dance rhythms may still be found in parts of Africa, but the dances have been altered by contact with other cultures and races. For example, The rural rumba is a pantomimic dance originating in the rural areas.It depicts the movements of various barnyard animals in an amusing manner, and is basically an exhibition, quite an than a participation dance. Both the Cuban son and the Cuban bolero are moderate tempo dances in traditional ballroom form. The guaracha is distinguished by its fast, cheerful tempo. Ten after Americans modified the tempo of the Cuban rumba, later band leader Emil Coleman imported Rumba musicians and dancers to New York but no interest developed. substantial interest in Latin music began about 1929 as a result of increased American tourism to Latin America. In 1935 GeorgeRaft appeared with Carole Lombard in a movie called Rumba in which he played a suave dancer who wins the lady through dancing. Rumbas unique styling and unusual melodic rhythms at once captured the fancy of ballroom dance enthusiasts, and it has retained its popularity to the present time. The Cuban style is characterized by forward and transposed steps. The American version is done in a box pattern with Cuban motion as its chief characteristic. Cuban motion is a discreet, expressive hip motion fulfilld by bending and straightening the legs and guardedly timed weight changes. American Rumba is one of the mostpopular ballroom dances today. The rumba itself refers to several Latin dance forms, which can all differ greatly. Almost all rumba dances are meant to judge the sexual relationship between partners. The moves can be subtle or quite obvious, which is all depending on the type of form danced The Cuban rumba is very different than what one would see in a ballroom dancing competition. The dance is highly energetic and was thought to have derived directly from the dancing of African slaves from around the West Indies and the Caribbean. Dance historians date performance of this form of rumba back as early on as the late 16th century. Some of the moves are so suggestive and frank, that the dance was often considered unacceptable in the countries it was performed, and was actually prohibited. The Cuban rumba requires a high degree of athleticism, as it is very fast. The dance represents a seduction attempt on the part of the male, with the female standing resistant to the mans charms. This form of rumba often includes acrobatic moves, like handstands, flips and cartwheels, commonly performed by the male. In order to achieve sexual gratification, he must impress his female partner.The second part of the Cuban rumba usually brings the dancers close together, and the movements are easily indicative of sexual longing. There is much what one might consider inappropriate body contact when the couples connect, and many moves indicate various sexual positions with the male clearly dominant. The partners are often hip to hip in dance connections. This type of form is rarely seen except in exhibitions since it requires a great deal of space to perform it properly. The dancers are mostly by, and utilize a satisfying amount of floor space while performing very different acrobatic moves far apart from each other.In conclusion, today the rumba is known to be one of the most popular ballroom dances because of its interesting movements and rhythms. The Cuban Rumba is one of the most important and popular folkloric styles still played frequently in Cuba at musical parties. This is one of the most difficult and syncopated of all Cuban musical styles in popular folklore, both in its music and dance. Guaguanco is a medium paced rumba style that is danced by a couple. BIBLIOGRAPHY http//www. centralhome. com/ballroomcountry/rumba. htm http//www. ibiblio. org/mao/cuba/music. html