Latin Music and Salsa

10/10/2020 5:45:00 PM
Popular musical instruments played in Latin music. Image: apkpure.com 

Do you know?

  • Latin music is a form of popular music in the world.
  • Generally speaking, Latin music history starts with the cultural encounter that occurred after the arrival of Columbus. 
  • Among several different genres of Latin music, salsa is one of the famous ones.

Let's explore more!

Popular musical instruments played in Latin music. Image: apkpure.com 

Listen and choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.

  • What does Latin music express?
  • What do some salsa lovers do while they listen to Latin music on weekends?

Latin music expresses the composer's _____.

  • emotions through the song
  • thoughts in life
  • ability to play different instruments

What do some salsa lovers do while they listen to Latin music on weekends?

  • Watch TV at home
  • Play cards
  • Do housework

Complete the text you are listening to by dragging the correct word to each blank.

Latin Music and Salsa

Latin music is very common in countries where people speak Spanish or Portuguese. However, people all over the world can enjoy it. This music comes from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Salsa is one kind of Latin music. Big cities like Miami, New York, San Juan, Havana, and Panama City have their own kinds of salsa. 

Latin music is a of European music and African music. It has a strong . Many years ago, people played Latin music mostly on guitars with drums, but now whole with lots of other instruments play it. Composers of Latin music express their feelings in their music. Sometimes they are very happy, and sometimes they are sad. Ruben Blades and Juan Luis Guerra are two famous modern Latin American composers. They their own music with their own orchestras.

People play salsa and other Latin music at home or when they visit their friends. Sometimes salsa fans play cards in the afternoon or at night on weekends or holidays while they listen to Latin music. Some people bring guitars and play them while they sing. The other people relax and enjoy the music, but they don't stop playing cards. They or food in the oven or it on top of the stove in oil. When the food is ready, they stop playing cards. They listen to music while they eat. The food tastes good. 

People who dance enjoy Latin music because it is easy to dance to. The beat is very strong. Dancers can move their whole bodies. They can dance alone or with someone. Other people enjoy listening to Latin music. Usually the words are in Spanish or Portuguese, but sometimes they are in English or another language. Many Latin songs have beautiful words, but if a person does not understand them, it is not important. A person can still enjoy the music. The sound is international. 

Read the passage and answer the questions.

Latin Music and Salsa

A dance for the background music of salsa. Image: liveabout.com

Latin music is very common in countries where people speak Spanish or Portuguese. However, people all over the world can enjoy it. This music comes from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Salsa is one kind of Latin music. Big cities like Miami, New York, San Juan, Havana, and Panama City have their own kinds of salsa. 

Latin music is a mixture of European music and African music. It has a strong beat. Many years ago, people played Latin music mostly on guitars with drums, but now whole orchestras with lots of other instruments play it. Composers of Latin music express their feelings in their music. Sometimes they are very happy, and sometimes they are sad. Ruben Blades and Juan Luis Guerra are two famous modern Latin American composers. They perform their own music with their own orchestras.

People play salsa and other Latin music at home or when they visit their friends. Sometimes salsa fans play cards in the afternoon or at night on weekends or holidays while they listen to Latin music. Some people bring guitars and play them while they sing. The other people relax and enjoy the music, but they don't stop playing cards. They roast or bake food in the oven or fry it on top of the stove in oil. When the food is ready, they stop playing cards. They listen to music while they eat. The food tastes good. 

People who dance enjoy Latin music because it is easy to dance to. The beat is very strong. Dancers can move their whole bodies. They can dance alone or with someone. Other people enjoy listening to Latin music. Usually the words are in Spanish or Portuguese, but sometimes they are in English or another language. Many Latin songs have beautiful words, but if a person does not understand them, it is not important. A person can still enjoy the music. The sound is international

Source: Facts and Figures

Where does Latin music NOT come from?

  • The Caribbean
  • Mexico
  • Spain
  • South America
What kinds of music were mixed to get Latin music?
  • Salsa and American music
  • Modern music with drums
  • European music and African music
  • African music and salsa

Why do dancers like Latin music?

  • Because everyone can understand it.
  • Because it can help them move their whole bodies.
  • Because this music is not difficult to dance.
  • Because the sound is international.

Put the right word in each blank. The sentences are from the text.

  1. They or food in the oven or it on top of the stove in oil.
  2. It has a strong .
  3. Many years ago, people played Latin music mostly on guitars with drums, but now whole with lots of other instruments play it.
  4. Latin music is a of European music and African music.
  5. They their own music with their own orchestras.

Put the right word in each blank. These are new sentences for words in the text. 

  1. Carmen a chocolate cake yesterday. 
  2. Sometimes we meat in olive oil on top of the stove.
  3. My mom will buy an oven for making cakes and food.
  4. Rock and roll fans enjoy the of the music. 
  5. We’ve got seats in the fifth row of the .
  6. The of flour, water, and egg should be left in a warm place for four hours.
  7. She composes and her own music.