Vocals Elements – Music
Vocal elements are about who leads vocally and how lead singer and chorus interact: from the free opening of the diana to the call-and-response of coro and pregón in the montuno.
The elements
- La diana
A vocal improvisation or melodic gesture, sometimes used to transition between sections, often marking the move into the montuno or to reintroduce energy.
- Coro
The coro sings a repeating phrase (the estribillo).
- Pregón
The pregón are the varying or improvised lines the lead singer sings between the coros.
- Estribillo
A short, catchy phrase that is repeated for emphasis. It can act as a refrain, often appearing within or after the coro. The estribillo adds to the song’s memorability and invites audience participation.
- Muela
Muela in timba: the part of the montuno where the singer talks to the dancers and audience before setting up a new coro. Unlike the pregón.
Lead singer and chorus
In the montuno the chorus sings a fixed coro and the lead singer answers with an improvised pregón: the coro–pregón. The lead singer has another role as well: in many bands it is the singer who cues the gear changes and decides which coro comes next.
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