FINDING MUSICAL LINKS
Duration
Duration, or the amount of time each note is held in a musical piece, is a common factor that is shared between gypsy and mambo music. Both musical cultures are lively and upbeat, and the music is often played at a tempo of allegro or even presto. Because of this, the note length in the music of each piece is short. Quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes are favored over half and whole notes.
Mambo #5, written by Perez Prado, employs many eighth notes to comprise the melody. This popular mambo piece is an example of many like it from its genre- upbeat and lively.
Tarina de la Abrud | |
File Size: | 57 kb |
File Type: |
The file above is a song by Gheorghe Zamfir, known as Tarina de la Abrud. This piece also features notes with a short duration- eighth notes and sixteenth notes. Using short notes is common in gypsy music, because, like mambo music, gypsy music is exciting and the notation matches that.
Dynamics
Present in both musical cultures as well is the use of bold, loud dynamics. Gypsy music and mambo music were invented because people loved to dance to their exciting and unique sounds. Dynamics on the higher end of the range were popular because they added to the overall feeling of elation that the music was attempting to convey. Two examples are included below.
In Mambo #8 by Perez Prado, the use of forte dynamics, especially by the woodwind instruments, makes the piece very enjoyable. The counting and shouting also add to the loud dynamic level.
Ca La Breaza by Toni Iordache is played forte throughout the entire song. The rapid playing of the cimbalom along with the powerful dynamic level make the piece frenzied but exciting.
The gypsy and mambo music cultures are very distinct. While they are both very different, they do have some things in common, such as duration and dynamic level. These factors have caused them to be adored by millions and have caused them to be remembered and cherished throughout the decades.