I believe that the reason Dr Munarriz considers the term Latin American Music to be problematic is because it doesn’t offer a wide enough representation of all the styles of music found in Latin America. I understand his point of view, as there are many different styles of music found in Latin America. However I think the same could be said about any classification of music. When we speak of European music there are also countless styles to be found with countless different influences from around the globe. Even when being more specific about a style of music for example rap; we cannot say that all raps have the same style, there are countless forms of rap all with their own intricacies and textures. The reason we categorize specific styles of music into these larger groups is because they were inspired by similar techniques or melodies from a specific region or culture, not because we think all music in the category is the exact same. Latin American music is music from latin America, Latin music descending from Latin America but created in the United States of America. Ostinatos are a motif or phrase in music that is repeated throughout a piece. An example of the ostinatos used in latin American expressions is the Habanera, the Tresillo, the Amphibrach, the Cinquillo, the cinquillo in two bar format, and the “three two” clave . The habanera pattern is found and adapted in many latin American expressions. It can be found in the Cuban Contradanza, the Caribbean contradanza, the Tumba Francesa, the Danza, the Merengue and the Quadrille. The habanera pattern is the basis for many ostinatos used in latin American expressions.
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