Beyond Salsa for Beginners: The Cuban Timba Revolution: An Introduction to Latin Music for Dancers and Listeners

by Kevin Moore

After writing over 20 instructional books on Cuban piano, congas, drums, timbales, clave and bass, this is Kevin Moore's first book for non-musicians - listeners, dancers and fans of Latin music. Beyond Salsa alternates between "Listening Tours" (music history, analysis of songs, and record-collecting advice) and Rhythm Exercises chapters with singing, clapping and dancing exercises (including audio files) designed to enhance listening skills.The four Listening Tours I. Pre-Revolution Cuban Popular Music (1900-1959); II. Salsa and Post-Revolution Cuban Popular Music (1959-1989); Timba (1989-2012); and a special section covering Afro-Cuban Folkloric Music, Comparsa, Changüí and Rumba.The rhythm exercises include the basic rhythms of each instrument, clave, various types of basic dance steps, a section on learning to feel the Latin groove properly, and a special chapter on the problems that new listeners of Afro-Cuban folkloric music sometimes have with hearing the beat and meter correctly. A link is provided for a free audio download with 107 audio files corresponding to the exercises. There's also a second download for sale with additional audio files.Also included are an extensive glossary and a beginners guide to the Spanish language and Cuban slang in music for English-speakers.

250 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2012

Reviews

[Tekla · Rating 3 out of 5]

More for actual musicians, therefore more detailed than I wanted or was able to follow, but still had interesting parts for me.