Bomba (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Bomba is one of the traditional musical styles of Puerto Rico. it is a largely African-derived music. The rhythm and beat are played by a set of floor drums, cua and a maraca. Dance is an integral part of the music: the dancers move their bodies to every beat of the drum, making bomba a very energetic and rich dance. Bomba is described to be a challenge/connection between the drummer and the dancer. The dancer produces a series of gestures to which the primo o subidor drummer provides a synchronized beat. Thus, it is the drummer who attempts to follow the dancer and not the other way around. The dancer must be in great physical shape and the challenge usually continues until either the dancer discontinues. The main instruments used in bomba style music are one or two lower pitch floor drums used to create a base rhythm called buleadores, and a higher pitch drum called primo or subidor which accentuates the beat with improvised patterns. Other instruments used are the palitos or cua, which are sticks that are struck against any, usually wooden, surface. A single large maraca usually completes the sound of bomba, though a guiro has commonly been used in orchestral arrangements. Both of these last two instruments have origins in the Taino culture of the Caribbean Basin.