Merengue music

Click on the MP3 player to the right and you can hear some!

One of my most favourite memories of the DR is going into a small bar in Santa Domingo and seeing the whole place dancing to merengue music. Everyone had a smile on their face and was having a great time. Even the middle aged men were dancing, something you would never have seen in an English pub!

This style of music was created by Nico Lora, a Dominican of Spaniard descent, in the 1920s. It was promoted by the dictator Rafael Trujillo who ruled the Dominican Republic from the 1930`s until his assassination in 1961.

International influence

In the USA it was popularized by Angel Viloria and his band Conjunto Typico Cibaeno. The popularity of Merengue music is growing fast in Puerto Rico, due to the high Dominican influence. Such Puerto Rican Merengueros include Elvis Crespo, Olga Tanon, Grupo Mania, Limite 21.

The popular merengue song, "Compadre Pedro Juan", by Luis Alberti, became an international hit.

World famous singers include Juan Luis Guerra, Cherito, and Miriam Cruz. Milly Quezada is known as the Queen of Merengue.

Merengue bands

The music is often performed by three-person, roaming bands called perico ripiao using three instruments: a small drum called a tambora, an accordion-like instrument called a melodeon, and a percussion instrument originally used by the Tainos called a guira.

Merengue the meaning of:

Modern merengue music

Modern merengue emerged after the First World War, when the music was played by pianos, strings, clarinets and saxophones. In the 1970s, Johnny Ventura and other musicians developed a new sound with electronic instruments. Dance steps became faster and less formal. Nowadays, merengue incorporates other musical forms such as salsa and jazz. Juan Luis Guerra is the most internationally renowned merengue performer.

Merengue dancing

Partners hold each other in a closed position. The man holds the woman's waist with his right hand while keeping his left hand/her right hand at the woman's eye level.

The merengue is a two-step beat requiring both partners to bend their knees slightly left and right. This in turn makes the hips move left and right. When danced correctly, the hips of the man and woman will move in the same direction throughout the song.

Partners may walk sideways or circle each other, in small steps. They can further switch to a double handhold position and do separate turns without letting go each other's hands or momentarily releasing one hand. During these turns they may twist and tie their handhold into intricate pretzels. Other choreography is possible.

Although the tempo of the music may be frantic, the upper body is kept majestic and turns are slow, typically four beats/steps per complete turn.

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Merengue music [end]