I'm doing a CUBAN ETHNICAL Music Project and my choosen song is Guantanamera.
Here's the song lyrics:
GUANTANAMERA
Original music by Jose Fernandez Diaz
Music adaptation by Pete Seeger & Julian Orbon
Lyric adaptation by Julian Orbon, based on a poem by Jose Marti
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Chorus:
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmin encendido
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmin encendido
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
Chorus
Cultivo la rosa blanca
En junio como en enero
Qultivo la rosa blanca
En junio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
Chorus
Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon con que vivo
Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon con que vivo
Cardo ni ortiga cultivo
Cultivo la rosa blanca
Chorus
Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace mas que el mar
Chorus
Here's what I have so far in the report:
Folk music is “music originating among the common people of a nation or region and spread about or passed down orally, often with considerable variation, from generation to generation” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/folk+music). Pop music is music that has wide appeal; however, for a short time. Folk music is an important part of our lives because it allows us to study one part of our ethnic heritage. Folk music along with language, food, clothing and way of life form a part of the culture of a people of a region?
To best illustrate the folk music of Cuba, the musical selection analyzed here is "Guantanamera" sung by Celia Cruz. The composer is unknown. "Guantanamera" is a Cuban folk song that is considered the “Unofficial” National Anthem of Cuba. The verses of “Guantanamera” were adapted from a poem, "Versos Sencillos" written by José Martí."Guantanamera" is a three chord progression, from one chord to four chord to five chord. "Guantanamera" is usually played in C. When "Guantanamera" is played in C, the chords are C then G then F.
The sound sources in Cuban folk music include the abebe, agogo, anakue, Arara drums, arebe, assongue, atchere, bandurria, bata drums, binkome, bocu, bombo criollo (Creole bass-drum), bongo, botija, cajon, cencerro, chacha, chekere, claves, conga drum, corneta china, cuchara, ekon, ekue, enkomo, erikundi, aboriginal flute, fondo, fututo, galleta, guataca, guiro, hierro, iyesa drums, kinfuiti, kuchi-yerema, laud, maraca, aboriginal maraca, marimbula, maruga, mayohuacan, olivas sonoras, opiaba, organo oriental, paila criolla, quijada, quinto, reja, sanmartin, sarten, tahona, timbale criollo, tingotalongo, tiple, tres, tumbadora, tumba francesa, viola, and yuka drums. Some of these instruments share the word and pronunciation of other words, such as “una galleta” is a type of drum that is similar to the bass drum used in the eastern regions of Cuba and is also a cookie. The tone color of Cuban folk music includes the instruments used at different parts of the musical piece.
Rhythm, the regular pattern of beats and emphasis in a piece of music which is created through sound and silence, is extremely important to Cuban folk music because without rhythm it becomes difficult to dance to a musical piece. Sometimes Cuban folk music has different rhythms in one musical piece. The use of rhythm allows a listener to “feel” what dance matches the rhythm. The different kinds of Cuban dance music, ranging from folk to popular, include son, guajira, bolero, cha-cha-cha, rumba, youruba, zapateo, danzon, mambo, decarga, jazz cubano, Mozambique, conga, pachanga y charanga, pilon, timba, songo and changui. Most are very traditional and some more modern. "Guantanamera" is a Cuban folk song that has an easy beat structure that makes it suitable for all levels of dancing.
Melody and harmony are very important in Cuban folk and popular music. "Guantanamera" has a simple texture of monophony.
"Guantanamera" has a form of verses and refrain. The verses are from the poem, "Versos Sencillos" written by José Martí. The refrain is: “Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera”. The repetition in this composition reinforces the theme of the poem and song.
Cuban folk music has many functions. Guantanamera is the “Unofficial” National Anthem of Cuba.
If you have any helpful ideas or advice it would be greatly appreciated!