Common Instruments of DR
Below you will find some of the common instruments used in the Dominican Republic such the drum, guitar, accordion, and Guira. Although, not all instruments are native to the island, these instruments are frequently used in Merengue, Bachata and Reggaeton, the most popular musical styles of the Dominican Republic.
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Characteristics of the Dominican Sound
Tempo: The speed of the music in Merengue is usually fast but it can vary depending on the song. Dynamics: the volume in merengue frequently changes in order to engage the audience, this is in part what gives merengue its infectious sound. Rhythms: the rhythm drives the sound, while there is a degree of repetitiveness there is also a constant infusion of sound that changes to keep listeners on their toes. Harmony: The harmony is simple depending on the song one will hear either multiple singers mixed with various melodies as the emphasis of which musical instruments being used changes throughout the song. For example the emphasis at the beginning may be on the trumpet and then switch to the singer with the maracas in the background. Texture: The texture of merengue music is usually rich, ornate and can be complex due the various instruments being played. Timbre/Tone: The music is vibrant and colorful. Its upbeat, and has a tropical feel that makes you want to dance and puts you in a festive frame of mind. Form: In the organization and structure of merengue there are motifs that repetitious which is sometimes humorous in that it is said that all the songs sound similar, which is true to a degree. Merengue music does have a distinctive sound that is hard to miss.
Dominican Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of instruments. It is frequently used in various styles of Dominican music from Merengue to Bachata. The drum and it's underlying beat and rhythm are African influenced and connect Merengue culturally and historically to its African roots.
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Dominican Guitar
The guitar is part of the stringed instrument family. The guitar is heavily used in Bachata music in the Dominican Republic. Jose Manuel Calderon is one of the most famous Bachata musicians of the past. Today, current artists such as Frank Reyes, Antony Santos and Romeo Santos have broadened the appeal of the Bachata genre.
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Dominican Accordion
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The accordion is part of the woodwind family. Its origins come from Europe and came to the Dominican Republic in the early 20th century. It is commonly used in Merengue music. Its has a loud, funky, and bold sound.
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Dominican Guira (Charrasca)
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The guira is part of the precision musical family. Of all the aforementioned instruments the guira is the only instrument that is indigenous to the island. It has roots to the Taino natives that once inhabited the island. It has a distinctly unique, "scratching" sound and is at the core of the Merengue sound.
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Dominican Maracas
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The Maracas is part of the percussion/idiophone family. It is an underrated but widely used instrument in Latin American music. When you think of the Maracas from a western perspective its comparable to a baby rattle. There is a stick with a sling covering or shell, within which contains something like a seed that gives it, its unique sound.
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Dominican Saxophone
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The saxophone is part of the woodwind family. Similar to the accordion it has European origins but is also widely popular in various genres of Dominican music.
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Welcome To Traditional Music of the Dominican Republic
Merengue Music
Merengue is the official music of the Dominican Republic. It is rooted in Dominican identity. Although, there are other styles such as Bachata and Reggaeton, Merengue is one of the oldest forms of Dominican musical expression. Merengue's origins come from the Ciabo region in the northern part of the island but quickly spread throughout the country and today permeates every aspect of Dominican culture. Click on the video link above and you will hear the sounds of Juan Luis Guerra's,"Ojala Que Llueva Café en el Campo" (I Wish it Would Rain Coffee in the Field). Juan Luis Guerra is a Dominican Merengue artist whose international popularity has helped spread the captivating sound of this genre of music across the world.