A song may break down to a simpler texture, perhaps focusing on percussion or a bass line, before building back up to a full-band climax. These moments can create a sense of anticipation and excitement.
In a breakdown part of the band drops out. What remains depends on the band and the song:
A breakdown is often the moment when the singer talks to the audience (muela) and sets up the next coro.
Then the band builds back up to the full sound: instruments come back one by one, the patterns get denser, and often a unison break (bloque or pare) comes just before the full band kicks back in. Presión is a typical example of such a build-up.
Some breakdowns are fixed in the arrangement. Others are called live: the singer gives a hand signal in the last beats of a section, and the rhythm section changes pattern together.
A breakdown leaves room for small, playful movements or shines; the build-up is the moment to save energy for the explosion when the full band comes back.