Timba structuur

☰ Structure

Formal structure

Key differences from salsa form:

• No fixed order — modules can be rearranged or repeated as needed.
• Multiple montuno rounds — each with its own coro, groove, and intensity.
• Functional elements everywhere — mambo, bloques, gear shifts aren’t tied to a single section.
• Improvisation and cueing — bandleader and singers often decide live which module comes next.

• Intro
• Verse
• Coro-Pregón

  Coro-Pregón

  • Coro = the Choir, sings a repeating phrase.
  • Pregón = the lead singer sings varying or improvised lines
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• Montuno

  Montuno

  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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• Coda

⚙ Functional elements

⚙ Functional elements

• Bomba

• Masacote

• bloques

• La diana

• Gear changes

• Estribillo

• Gears

• Pression

• Solos

• Mambo

• Marcha abajo

• Marcha arriba

• Bomba
• Masacote

  Masacote

  In timba (a Cuban music style related to salsa, but with stronger influences from funk, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and jazz), a "masa-cote" typically refers to a powerful, rhythmic burst in the music. It’s a short, intense moment where the instrumentation – especially the rhythm section – becomes extra groovy, syncopated, or funky.

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• bloques
• Diana

  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.

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• Gear changes

  Gear changes

  Gear changes, or "cambios de marcha," in Timba are particularly thrilling elements that contribute to the genre's dynamism and energy. These changes are essentially shifts in rhythm, tempo, or even in the music's texture that inject excitement and often encourage dance floor responses. They are used strategically throughout a song to create tension and release, keep the audience engaged, and highlight the musicians' versatility and creativity.

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• Estribillo
• Gears
• Pression
• Solos
• Mambo
• Marcha abajo

  Marcha abajo

  The terms "marcha abajo" and "marcha arriba" describe different energy levels or sections within the montuno.

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• Marcha arriba

  Marcha arriba

  The terms "marcha abajo" and "marcha arriba" describe different energy levels or sections within the montuno.

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🎶 Songs

🎶 Songs

This section is dedicated to the musical magic of Timba and Salsa, specifically designed for dancers who want to deepen their understanding and connection to the music. We will take you on a journey through the rhythms, melodies, and musical structures that make these genres so unique.

• Palo pa la campana - Tromboranga

  Palo pa la campana - Tromboranga

  Salsa tends to be easier to understand than timba, making this a helpful starting point.

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• Me Mantengo - Los Van Van

  Me Mantengo - Los Van Van

  Van Van is sort of a special case in that they sometimes use gears and sometimes not. Here is Me mantengo for example.

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• More

  More

  For more examples i recommend buying the following book: ( both hardcover and digital )

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Interpretive / Performative elements

Interpretive / Performative elements

How music is brought to life in performance