- Bachata history
- Origin
- Bachata as a musical style
- Bachata as a form of dance
- Different styles of bachata
- Bachata today
- References
The bachata is a style of dance and musical genre originating in the Dominican Republic. The name “bachata” is originally a colloquial word to refer to village festivals; This term was used due to the festivity and rhythm of the dance.
This Caribbean rhythm is representative for fusing Latin and African rhythms, thus representing the cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic. The dance, for its part, focuses on the lower part of the body, where the movements of the feet and hips are the main element.
Bachata is recognized as one of the characteristic rhythms of Latin America; It is on par with Salsa, Merengue and Cha-Cha-Chá, but it manages to differentiate itself from these by having a more sensual style and a more intimate dance.
Being one of the most popular Latin rhythms worldwide, bachata is enjoyed in countless parties and dance halls, It has captured the attention of dance lovers and even amateurs, which is why bachata schools have been created –especially in Europe–.
But where does bachata come from? what are their characteristics? How has it managed to gain immense popularity outside the Dominican Republic?
Bachata history
Origin
Bachata originates in 1962, in the rural area of the Dominican Republic. It begins with a musical recording composed by José Manuel Calderón entitled “Borracho de amor”. The song combines the Latin style of trova with rhythms of son and Cuban bolero.
Despite its popularity and success among the general Dominican public, the upper social classes discredited bachata as “village music” and of a low category. Therefore, throughout the 70s, bachata was not usually broadcast on radio or television.
However, bachata is far from being a common or simple rhythm. The distinctive Caribbean style of complex fusion and passionate dance moves have earned the liking and approval of millions of people around the world.
Bachata as a musical style
Bachata is a musical style that is based on strings and percussions. An average bachatero group is made up of 7 instruments: a lead guitar (requinto), a rhythm guitar (the second), acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, bongos and güira.
It is highly influenced by the Cuban bolero, even being initially called a Dominican variant of the bolero.
The instrumentation depends on the type of bachata that is chosen: a slow bachata is stronger in the strings area, a more effusive and danceable bachata concentrates on the percussions.
The style has evolved over the years. At first, instead of bongos, drums were used and in the place of güiras there were maracas. These changes over the years have made it a more dance-oriented rhythm.
Bachata as a form of dance
Just as the bolero inspired the sound of bachata, it also had a great influence on his dance steps. Couples dance using a very small space, thus giving intimacy to the dance.
During its development and spread throughout the Caribbean, bachata became faster and more dance steps were added to the repertoire, so now the movements are concentrated in the lower body area and the focus is totally on the hips.
Despite being a dance that can be performed individually, bachata is more popular in its partner format.
When danced in pairs, the duet can be in a closed position (romantically) or an open position (with room to twist and move the torso).
As happens in other styles of dance in pairs and Latin rhythms, in the bachata duet there is a leading dancer, who can be identified as the one who establishes the turns.
Similarly, dance is categorized according to the social environment. In a festive setting, the couple dance openly, in casual demonstrations the duo is at medium distance and in nightclubs and dance halls the closed style predominates.
Different styles of bachata
Like any artistic demonstration, bachata has been influenced by different factors, achieving an evolution both in a musical and choreographic way.
Although the term “bachata” is general, it encompasses various aspects of bachata popularized throughout the Caribbean.
Various styles can be found in music, such as romantic bachata: slow and heavily influenced by the bolero; and rhythmic bachata: broadly influenced by merengue, another Dominican musical style that makes it faster and more festive.
Currently, musically bachata is in a “pop” stage that merges with traditional elements of North American music (Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop). This has catapulted her into the international arena.
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Romeo Santos
In the same way, bachata has more than one dance style:
-La Bachata-Tango: mixture of the Caribbean rhythm with the sensual Argentine dance.
-The sensual bachata: it is a style of dance popularized mainly in Spain, where the couple moves with circular movements.
-The ballroom bachata: in places like the United States and the rest of Europe, especially in dance competitions.
Bachata today
It began as a popular dance at working-class parties, went through a period of disrepute for being related to crime and underdevelopment according to the Caribbean elite and is now at one of its highest points of popularity worldwide.
Bachata is one of the main Latin rhythms enjoyed in dance halls and parties around the world.
It has global exponents such as Romeo Santos, is played on radio, television and has even taken its exponents to Madison Square Garden in New York.
Bachata, without a doubt, has managed to forge its characteristic stamp and establish itself in popular culture.
Other of the most famous bachata singers of today are Prince Royce, Frank Reyes, Héctor «El Torito» Acosta, Toby Love, Antony Santos, Raulín Rodríguez and Andy Andy.
References
- Cusenza, A. (2016) Bachata History: Dance & Music. Latino Family Heart. Recovered from bachatabrno.com
- Dancing Fever (sF) What is Bachata ?. Dancing Fever. Recovered from dancingfever.co.uk
- Euronews (2015) The popularity of bachata - a dance from Dominican Republic is growing in Europe. Euronews. Recovered from euronews.com
- Heritage Institute (2009) Introduction to Bachata. The Heritage Institute: Dance. Recovered from heritageinstitute.com
- Incognito Dance (2012) What is Bachata ?. Incognito Dance. Recovered from incognitodance.com
- Marracco, M. (2014) What is Bachata ?. UDEMY. Recovered from udemyblog.wpengine.com
- The Duet Team (2014) Differences between Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha and Merengue. Ballroom dance in Chicago. Recovered from duetdancestudio.com