Marcha abajo - element
The terms "marcha abajo" and " marcha arriba" describe different energy levels or sections within the montuno.
- Marcha Abajo ("downward section"):
- Refers to a lower energy part of the montuno.
- Often used at the start of the montuno or during transitions.
- Feels more groove-based, relaxed, or grounded.
Summary
- Marcha abajo and marcha arriba describe functional roles within the montuno section.
- They're not just piano patterns, but indicators of energy flow and structural progressi
Piano
Origins
Inventor: Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655–1731), an Italian instrument maker in Florence.
Date: Around 1700, Cristofori built the first instrument he called a “gravicembalo col piano e forte” — meaning harpsichord with soft and loud.
Reason for invention: Harpsichords (the main keyboard instrument of the 1600s) could not vary loudness by touch. Cristofori solved this by using hammers to strike strings instead of plucking them.
Mechanism: When a key was pressed, a felt-covered hammer struck the string, producing sound with dynamics depending on how hard or softly the key was played.
The terms "marcha abajo" and "marcha arriba" describe different energy levels or sections within the montuno.
Lees meer >This section is characterized by a more open and interactive part of the song, where there is a dialogue between the vocals and the instrumentalists, leading to a more improvised feel. The montuno is typically built on repetitive piano and bass patterns and may include call-and-response singing.
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