What Musical Instrument Moves You Emotionally?

[peachexploration]

Okay, so I'm in salsa "listening" mode today and I'm noticing that certain instruments determine my emotional movement when dancing. For example, if the bass line is emphasized, my movement is smoothed out, my styling is slower and very sensual and I'm more focused on my partner. When this happens, a better dancer appears. :) Anyone else experience something like this? Are you moved emotionally by the clave, the conga, or the piano, etc.....?

[borikensalsero]

wepaaaaaa... PeachExpolration... What a question...

Hmmmm...

I really love it when the trombons take the forefront. It causes me to slow down, elongate my lead, and almost wait till its almost too late to come off on the 2 or 6.

When the flute, or violin are the leaders, it's time to groove, I usually let go of my partner and dance circles around her, at which time "most" of the girls I dance with take the time to flirt with their bodies.

If the cowbell is in the front, the darn thing makes me wanna do slight up and downs with my upper body. Or do the merengue 1,2 1,2.

When the regular conga beat is most audible it causes me to smooth out and accentuate the 2, 4, 6, and 8, its time for the lady to show what she's got.

When the lyrics are the leaders, I tend to feel the clave pattern (audible or not) more, as I never really care to listen to it. hence, causing me to step a tad briskier on the 2,3 or 6,7 along with an upper body motion hitting both counts as well, with a "quick" back and forth motion.

when the piano takes over, I tend feel the a huge build up of energy from 6, 7, 8 8& (1). Where I really let my body drop and "explode" on the 1.

But what truly does it to me, its a "willie colon-like" trombone vamp.

I love this question!!!

[vey]

Wow, Peachexploration, you really made me think (and listen). Being relatively new to salsa I've never questioned myself why I like this song and not the other and what do I like in particular. Now I'm going to pay attention!

What I've noticed so far: may be because I grew up with classical music, I tend to be moved by melody more easily, that's where such instruments as piano and trombone come in, certain types of vocals also work for me beautifully. But in certain songs/pieces it is conga that keeps me going....

[peachexploration]

When the lyrics are the leaders, I tend to feel the clave pattern (audible or not) more, as I never really care to listen to it. hence, causing me to step a tad briskier on the 2,3 or 6,7 along with an upper body motion hitting both counts as well, with a "quick" back and forth motion.....

Yes, for me, movements are sharper and quick when I hear the clave pattern as well. And..you are so right! Strings and flutes do make the woman want to flirt. :lol: Very prevalent in charangas/cuban salsa. Love that stuff! I hadn't really thought of that until you mentioned it. Yeah, I guess strings/flutes tends to lighten/lift the music a bit and bring out the playfulness in you. "Isla Del Encanto" by Orquesta Broadway certainly comes to mind. :D It is awesome what Salsa can do to/for you "if" you "let" it. :wink:

[looyenyeo]

I'm the other way around: my mood and whom dancing with (if at all) determines how I travel through the music.

I don't tend to stick with one instrument layer for an appreciable period of time. Instead I trace my route through the song listening to stretches of instruments including vocals in relay. It could be from second trombone to timbale bell to backing vocals in just one phrase. Another day, another mood, to the same song, would be a different route.

The more I understand the role and position of the instruments, the more options I have available.

My current favourite (since Tuesday night) is to play percussion accents with my feet that aren't present in the song (that I think should have been there), accenting/implying the bass tumbao with my upper body, and transmitting the piano-line through my lead to my partner. That gave my dance zip and drama from the feet, groove from the body, and rhythmic tension/relaxation in the partnership, all at the same time. With that as a baseline, I then hit the accents from the other instruments as they come along.

But of course, the most important thing is to keep an open and alert mind. Like how good followers do.

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it?
Loo

[Miguel]

Hi everybody, I'm new to this board and new to this latin dancing stuff so bare with me (although I'm latino). Anyway, I like the sounds of the bells specially the salsa bell sound (ti ti pan-ti ti pan-ti ti pan-ti pan) the sound of the trumpets and of course the conga; ALWAYS THE CONGA! . I also enjoy a good singer! One of my favorite songs and perhaps my favorite salsa song (is hard to decide since there are soooooooo many great salsa songs) of all time is LAS MUCHACHAS by Johny Pacheco with the great Cuban singer Hector Casanova! It starts with the trumpets, bass, conga, bells, piano, guitar, trombone, bongo and the singer (Casanova) joining in shortly after! Oh it's great! Casanova (one of the most underrated soneros, if not thee most) was such a great singer and Las Muchachas was a great song because of the great Johny Pacheco's musical abilities and also because of the awsome singing of Hector Casanova (whom modeled himself after the great Cuban singer Beny More), no doubt about it.! Las Muchachas is a song to groove and a great salsa song in my opinion. But, but I must admit (and I know most of you here are salsaholics) nothing gets my blood pumping like a good ol' SAXOPHONE and that's where MERENGUE comes in! I LOVE THE SAXOPHONE and I LOVE MERENGUE! Merengue is a dance to enjoy where you don't have to worry whether you're dancing on 2 or 1 or on 50 or on100. I tell you once those Saxs start blowing and my hips start swinging it's all about the music and NOTHING but the music. I LOVE THE SAXOPHONE! :P I hope to make new friends here regardles of our musical differences! VIVA LA SALSA Y EL MERENGUE!!! :twisted:

[borikensalsero]

I'm the other way around: my mood and whom dancing with (if at all) determines how I travel through the music.

I don't tend to stick with one instrument layer for an appreciable period of time. Instead I trace my route through the song listening to stretches of instruments including vocals in relay. It could be from second trombone to timbale bell to backing vocals in just one phrase. Another day, another mood, to the same song, would be a different route.

The more I understand the role and position of the instruments, the more options I have available.

My current favourite (since Tuesday night) is to play percussion accents with my feet that aren't present in the song (that I think should have been there), accenting/implying the bass tumbao with my upper body, and transmitting the piano-line through my lead to my partner. That gave my dance zip and drama from the feet, groove from the body, and rhythmic tension/relaxation in the partnership, all at the same time. With that as a baseline, I then hit the accents from the other instruments as they come along.

But of course, the most important thing is to keep an open and alert mind. Like how good followers do.

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it?
Loo

That was quite a sweet description loo... Very enjoyable to read, and to imagine how you groove when dancing...

Miguel, welcome to the forums!!

[SDsalsaguy]

Welcome to the forums Miguel, glad to have you with us! :D

[Vince A]

The bass riffs make my body move, and the drums, whatever kind they are - percussion - makes my feet move.

The drums, congas, bongos, etc., make me react in Salsa, while the bass in Swing gives the rhythm I need from R. Kelly to Benny Goodman.

[peachexploration]

Wow, Peachexploration, you really made me think (and listen).....

Warning: Off topic a little..... :D

Actually, it's Boriken and Salsarhythms who hint to this in other threads. When they write about "flava" or the fact that "it comes from the music", I totally get it. But then I started thinking, what are some things that make me or allow me to "get it"when I'm dancing...what are the elements that contribute? ...And this question was one of them. Anyway, Boriken and Salsarhythms: I HEAR YOU. :D :D

P.S. Welcome to DF, Miguel!

[passion]

This is definetly a good question Peachexploration! It really makes you think about the music.

I truely enjoy good salsa. It's those sounds that come of the instruments that my body feels and responds to...

The congas, when they pick up speed, my shoulders start to shake and my body feels an energy coarsing through it. Come to think of it, the cowbell also, will give my body an energy to which it moves quicker or sharper.

The bass line, I too, tend to slow down and and dance more smoothly. The strings, also have a tendancy to make my dancing more slow and sensual.

The brass section, with the trumpets blaring and staccato notes, tend to make my upper body more active.

I will definetly try to focus more and pay more attention to what else makes my body move while I dance.

Isn't it amazing how music can get into your body and mind and soul even to move you like you've never moved before? I only wish that it could affect everyone the same. I feel for those people who can't the let music inside of them and truely appreciate it to let it move them. They are missing out on such a beautiful experience!

[Vin]

Wow, you guys are right this is a great question.
For me,
Nothing makes me want want to kick it quite like a great bass line kicking in, think Pedro Navajas.
I know I will be hated for this but when trumpets lead in I tend to pull out my entire club repertoire in a 5 minute song.
Good conga's make me want to break into some shines where my partner and I dance seperated but in synch with each other. In the string section like you guys I would rather just let my partner show her stuff.
Good string section, Bamboleo(Celia version).
A great vocal will make it unable for me to sit down,
Tu Tu Ta Ta or Azucar by Palmieri.

[Miguel]

Thanks to everybody that welcomed me! :D

Right now I'm listening to AOL radio-Salsa and I tell you guys this station is awsome, awsome, awsome! :o they're playing: La Salsa Vive by tito Nieves and a bunch of great salseros singing along including the one and only; La Gran Celia Cruz (dios la vendiga! :( )

[peachexploration]

........Isn't it amazing how music can get into your body and mind and soul even to move you like you've never moved before? I only wish that it could affect everyone the same. I feel for those people who can't the let music inside of them and truely appreciate it to let it move them. They are missing out on such a beautiful experience!

Agree with you there, Passion. Love the name by the way. :D

[peachexploration]

......But what truly does it to me, its a "willie colon-like" trombone vamp......

Boriken, now I "really" know what you mean by trombones. I heard "Lluvia Con Nieve" by Mon Rivera this week and lost it. (In a good way, no oozies. :lol: :lol: ) This song is awesome. Love the drama in it and piano vibe throughout the song is killer! :D

[borikensalsero]

......But what truly does it to me, its a "willie colon-like" trombone vamp......

Boriken, now I "really" know what you mean by trombones. I heard "Lluvia Con Nieve" by Mon Rivera this week and lost it. (In a good way, no oozies. :lol: :lol: ) This song is awesome. Love the drama in it and piano vibe throughout the song is killer! :DIndeed, it sends chills down your body... Ahhhh.... I go nuts when I hear to sounds of the trombones!! A beautiful baritone Sax gives me the chills as welll. :D :D

BTW... Wille Colon's took up the trombone because of Mon Rivera. God, I hope that I remember that correctly... I went out dancing last night and got home at 5AM and I can't think correctly.

[pelao]

speakin of bari sax

Willie Rosario

nuff said

[borikensalsero]

speakin of bari sax

Willie Rosario

nuff said

Indeed Wille...

I love the Bari in Bobby Valentin's Huracan.... AHHHHHHHHHH

[peachexploration]

... Wille Colon's took up the trombone because of Mon Rivera. God, I hope that I remember that correctly... I went out dancing last night and got home at 5AM and I can't think correctly.
Yeah I saw that in Mon Rivera's bio while surfing yesterday, I saw the CD "There Goes the Neighborhood" with Willie Colon and Mon Rivera . Of course, can't preview it with sound clips attached but it's probably a good CD anyways. :D

[borikensalsero]

... Wille Colon's took up the trombone because of Mon Rivera. God, I hope that I remember that correctly... I went out dancing last night and got home at 5AM and I can't think correctly.
Yeah I saw that in Mon Rivera's bio while surfing yesterday, I saw the CD "There Goes the Neighborhood" with Willie Colon and Mon Rivera . Of course, can't preview it with sound clips attached but it's probably a good CD anyways. :D

No doubt!!! The saying goes, anything done by willie colon is a must get. He has about 2 or 3 bad CDs besides that everything else is a must! At least for me :D :D

[dessaix]

hmm I really like drums and guitar but I would lean more towards the guitar.

BATCHATEAME MAMI :!:

[Sabor]

conga, piano, sax, bass guitar, clave sticks are favorites that i have much taste for

[jenibelle]

VIOLIN!!!!! :D :D :D

[MadamSamba]

Welcome to DF, Miguel...I'd say violin too Jenibell, and a nicely played acoustic guitar and a piano solo. It sounds kinda corny, but a well-played guitar or violin solo can make your heart leap! :)

[danceguy]

I'm very partial to saxophones since I used to play the sax for quite a few years. But for Salsa there has to be good percussion...I get really annoyed when a song has a weak percussion track...especially with live music. :x

However, I also love the sound of a brassy trombone...always reminds me of a local small town Symphony that one of my music teachers used to play in. There were these two old gentlemen who had been playing classical music for many decades, and when that brass spoke you could feel the power of their trombones from a mile away...especially the bass trombone player...very hard to describe with words just how awesome they were. ;)

I used to call them "The Thunderers"...man...what a sound! 8)

SG

[Jack]

lead guitar in a rock band..........The horns in a Salsa Band

[pelao]

percussion of course! :shock:

[nt5k]

Cowbell.. As crazy as it sounds some night my mind just gets drawn to it.

[SDsalsaguy]

Welcome to the Forums nt5k! :D

...and thanks for reviving one of the more unique DF threads too! :cheers:

[nt5k]

Thanks.. I stumbled across the site on google search, best thing I did all week..

:D

[SDsalsaguy]

Thanks.. I stumbled across the site on google search, best thing I did all week..
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! That is sooooo nice to hear! :bouncy:

...just out of curiosity, what was the search?

[Sagitta]

Thanks.. I stumbled across the site on google search, best thing I did all week..

:D

I agree with you there nt5k!! Welcome to df! :)

[pelao]

Cowbell.. As crazy as it sounds some night my mind just gets drawn to it.

that aint crazy. the cowbell is important too in the music. A lot of times (like during the mambo of a tune), two bells are being played simultaneously. One bell (mambo bell) by the timbalero, and the other bell by the bongocero (bongo bell). If you took away any piece of percussion, it would not sound right.

[TemptressToo]

Myself...when it comes to bleeding-heart emotions...nothing does it like the piano. Listen to the opening piano in Evanescence 'My Immortal.' That moves me.

Now...if you are talking dancing...I'm all about the bass (aka The Bass Queen). I adore techno...so I'm connected to those rhythms no matter the package.

And then there were my musician dating days when nothing was better than sultry melodies on a guitar. He was a phenomenal musician...but not that great a boyfriend.

[nt5k]

Thanks.. I stumbled across the site on google search, best thing I did all week..
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! That is sooooo nice to hear! :bouncy:

...just out of curiosity, what was the search?

'hustle atlanta'

After finding this, I lost track of what I was searching for..

[SDsalsaguy]

After finding this, I lost track of what I was searching for..
:lol: :lol: :lol: . . . go Dance Forums, go Dance Fourums . . . :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Jack]

bongo's & drums and vibes

[Pacion]

After finding this, I lost track of what I was searching for..
:lol: :lol: :lol: . . . go Dance Forums, go Dance Fourums . . . :banana: :banana: :banana:

lol SD!

Aside from the drums/clava, the piano is one of my weaknesses. The violin seems to be running a very close second :!: :lol:

[Sagitta]

accordian - why I like cumbia and forro
flute - why I like charanga

:D

[pygmalion]

Hmm. This is an old thread, so I can't remember what I said before, if anything.

My answer today is yes. Pretty much any instrument can move me emotionally. I think this is salsa forum, right? So let me think. :roll: :roll: :idea: The human voice is the instrument that says salsa to me (today. No idea what I said back in April. :oops: :lol: )

[peachexploration]

That's very true Pygmalion. Cheo Feliciano's voice moves me very much. :)

[MacMoto]

I don't think of any special instrument that moves me in particular. It tends not to be about which instrument but more to do with what is happening in the music -- chord patterns, phrasing, melody line, breaks. I don't have enough musical knowledge to explain what actually moves me though :oops:

I also vote for voice. 8)

[jenn]

i love strings...guitar, asian and middle eastern instruments...
i love the sitar!!

[borikensalsero]

i love strings...guitar, asian and middle eastern instruments...
i love the sitar!!

Then you'd love Yomo Toro's stuff. :D

[dessaix]

guitar, whenever I hear bachata I always get into a dancing mood BIG TIME

[pygmalion]

Yup. Ever since a thread a month or so ago, I've been listening to the guitar line to help me recognize bachatas. Nice. 8)

[Sagitta]

And it is a steel guitar, isn't it - for bachatas?

[bordertangoman]

Hmm. This is an old thread, so I can't remember what I said before, if anything.

My answer today is yes. Pretty much any instrument can move me emotionally. I think this is salsa forum, right? So let me think. :roll: :roll: :idea: The human voice is the instrument that says salsa to me (today. No idea what I said back in April. :oops: :lol: )

I agree with pym but why is this interesting thread in the salsa forum and not in the general.?

For me THE instrument is the saxamaphone ( as Homer Simpson calls it) Have yet to find tangos with sax on, though

[peachexploration]

...I agree with pym but why is this interesting thread in the salsa forum and not in the general.?

Well, initially I was hinting towards the music of Salsa (hence, why it's in the Salsa section) but music is music as long as we're listening to it..... :wink:

[pygmalion]

For me THE instrument is the saxamaphone ( as Homer Simpson calls it) Have yet to find tangos with sax on, though

Sounds like a :google: challenge ... or a Tango-L challenge. I wonder if there are any tangos with sax? If there are, somebody at Tango-L is sure to know (and disapprove :wink: :lol: )

[lundasalsa]

I like the piano! I'm not sure whether it moves me especially emotionally, but I simply like its almost percussion-like sound, while it carries a melody at the same time.

Anyway, I was at a festival a while back (Malmöfestivalen, for the Swedes among us) and there I could see a live salsa band. The big surprise: the band consisted of three people: 1. a lead singer with a washboard. 2. a percussionist. 3. A keyboard player.

I was amazed. I did see the keyboardist play rhythmic chords on his keyboard, but apart from that, I heard a cacophony of other percussion, trumpet/trombone improvisations and whatnot emerging from the loudspeakers. It actually sounded pretty convincing... How common is this?

[pygmalion]

Getting more common. Synthesizers are pretty amazing, these days. They sound like the real thing, only much better. :?

[lundasalsa]

Synthesizers are pretty amazing, these days. They sound like the real thing, only much better. :?
You are joking, right? I used to play trumpet. You can change the sound while playing a single long note by varying the air flow and there are many ways to start a note, with a hard attack, soft attack, or no attack at all. All this isn't possible on a keyboard. I must admit though, for the typical short trumpet solos in salsa music, one would probably not notice the difference. But then, that might be because these solos are designed to be played on a synthesizer... :)

[borikensalsero]

Synthesizers are pretty amazing, these days. They sound like the real thing, only much better. :?
You are joking, right? I used to play trumpet. You can change the sound while playing a single long note by varying the air flow and there are many ways to start a note, with a hard attack, soft attack, or no attack at all. All this isn't possible on a keyboard. I must admit though, for the typical short trumpet solos in salsa music, one would probably not notice the difference. But then, that might be because these solos are designed to be played on a synthesizer... :)

I can't stess this enough, but when I listen to a song and hear a synthesizer it makes ma want to puke! They truly sound like they are missing depth, so out of synch, so not belonging there, as if the real instruments were in one place and the synthesizer was 20 miles behind.

I hate synthesizers!!!!!!! To me, it is new age crap to save money that takes away from the warmth of the real thing! It's like that fake bass, can bass sound any worse? Yet, people say it sounds good, I guess when you have lived your entire life listening to "fake" sound it becomes the norm... ahhhhhhhh... help!

[pygmalion]

I didn't say I like synthesizers. Read the emoticons, too. :wink: :lol:

When I said better, I meant without the imperfections that sometimes come with playing an instrument -- from the perspective of violin, for example, which is not fretted, if you listen carefully, you can sometimes hear players correct the tone by moving a finger position slightly. Just one example. Synthesizers, on the other hand, require no correction. Whatever tone it's supposed to be, it is right out of the gate.

[pygmalion]

No, let me correct myself. Electronic music can be a beautiful thing. Don't forget that there are human beings behind those synthesizers, playing the keyboards and making the music. I don't think it replaces the real thing on wooden or brass instuments, nor do I particularly think it belongs in the salsa world. But it does have a place.

[borikensalsero]

I didn't say I like synthesizers. Read the emoticons, too. :wink: :lol:

When I said better, I meant without the imperfections that sometimes come with playing an instrument -- from the perspective of violin, for example, which is not fretted, if you listen carefully, you can sometimes hear players correct the tone by moving a finger position slightly. Just one example. Synthesizers, on the other hand, require no correction. Whatever tone it's supposed to be, it is right out of the gate.

I'm sorry Pygmalion, the "better" wasn't meant at you, it is that my best friend and I have heated debates about synthesizers and I think of him every time I hear the word.

Our age group has really gotten to know them as the norm for music, and truly feel that they do sound better. While the ability of a computer helps a synthesizer hit exact notes throughout, a great player should be able to this as well, then the true test becomes quality of projected sound, rather than the carrying out of exact note matching.

Even a top Synthesizer sounds cold, its sound doesn't carry, lacks umph, it lacks depth, warmness, to me it just sounds fake. I do like those wild sounds they come up with though... I do agree that if I don't know the sound of a particular instrument I won't be able to tell them apart, but when I do know the sound, there just isn't a comparison in quality of sound.

I'd take my shot at listening to a top player miss a couple of notes than to hear the perfection of a synthesizer that lacks the sound quality of the real thing. That, however, is just my preference.

I think the person behind the instruments gives the instrument an emotional edge lacked by synthesizers... for the sound that is projected by an instrument comes charged with the emotions the person is playing with...

[tsb]

i prefer pdq bach's approach of using double reeds, without using oboes or bassoons.

[pygmalion]

What made me add my "correction" post was, on reflection, thinking about Herbie Hancock. He plays a mean piano of any sort, but he plays a heck of a lot of electronic music too, and it's beautiful, innovative, emotional. Nothing fake about it. Context is everything. 8)

There are lots of groups out there who do outstanding musical pieces that are entirely electronic in nature.

That said, this is the salsa forum, so salsa it is. Maybe synthesizers don't belong there. *shrug*