Argentina

musical nationalism

9th century movement to create music derived from the cultural resources of one's nation as a source of identity

Guaraní

A South American tribe from Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. The language of this group is also known as Guarani.

payada

A rioplatense vocal competition that derives from the thradition of improvised sung poetry of the Iberian Peninsula. The payada is based on the improvisation of sung stanzas of poetry by two singers, accompanied by guitars.

chamamé

A song and couples' dance genre that originated in northeastern Argentina as a synthesis of the European polka with local musical features. It has a romantic character and sentimental lyrics

chacarera

Plains region of Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil that was home to the gaucho and that also encompases the modern capital cities of Montevideo and Buenos Aires.

gaucho

South American horseman from the plains regions of Argentina and Uruguay or from Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

compradito

Stereotype of rioplatense male from the lower classes, associated with the marginal social environment of the early tango. Tango lyrics and rioplatense literature portray the compadrito as a courageous fighter, an arrogant bully, and a sensuous dancer

arrabal

Term for an improvised district on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo where the tango arose

milonga

Traditional song of Argentina and Uruguay in syncopated duple meter with guitar accompaniment. Alternatively, this term may refer to an urban popular dance, or to any place where tangos are performed

criollo

Describes music descended from Spanish roots and that developed in the Americas. Describes music sung in Spanish and has predominately European characteristics.

Malambo

Improvised Argentine dance performed by two competing gauchos. It is characterized by variations on a repeated chord progression played by the guitar, along with vigorous zapateo dancing

bombo

Large double-headed cylindrical drum played with sticks and known throughout the Andes and parts of Argentina. Goat or llama hair is typically left on the leather drumheads, giving the instrument a muffled sound

rioplatense

Adjective describing music from the region encompassed by the Rio de la Plata estuary and including Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and parts of southern Bolivia.

candombe

Afro-Brazilian religion that blends mostly West African (Yoruba) elements and beliefs with others derived from Roman Catholicism. Drumming and singing are central to candomble worship

Bandoneón

An accordion-like instrument of German origin associated with the tango that is also used in contemporary traditional-music ensembles. It has 38 buttons in the upper and middle registers and 33 buttons in the lower register

tango

Argentine and Uruguayan popular genre that arose at the turn of the 20th century in the surroundings of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. It uses a duple meter or quadruple rhythm and features an accordion like instrument known as bandoneon.

tamboril

single double-headed drum found various regions of Spain and Latin America. In Uruguay, the tamboril is an important national instrument associated with candombe