Some are more dramatic, others subdued and intimate. Singers carry a wistful and romantic bent to their styling. Bossa's lyrics usually portray themes of love or illustrate elements of South American nature. Much of the foundational repertoire has been translated into English for American audiences, such as when it was performed in the big band/swing era. Sometimes vocalists prefer Spanish or a mixture of the two. Traditionally, the lyrics to bossa nova music are in Portuguese. Its vibe is perfect for summer bonfires, island vacations, or a quiet evening spent with a book in hand. Lacking the electric energy of some other Latin styles, bossa instead presents a chill mood. The tone of bossa nova is slow and seductive. As in salsa music, the piano provides colorful interest but is not structurally necessary. Percussion such as a drum kit and shaker is fundamental, but performers often include traditional Brazilian instruments as well. Classical guitar is the main rhythmic and melodic framework. Instrumentation in bossa nova uses a traditional Latin setup. A particular syncopation persists throughout each song, played on the guitar instead of with percussion (as in samba). The main element that separates bossa nova from samba is the rhythm. Let’s compare and contrast the two sounds. Though similar to samba, it has some differences. It’s heavily influenced by percussive beats and usually accompanied by dancing and flamboyant costuming.Īn offshoot of samba developed in the 1950s and 1960s in Rio de Janeiro. Let’s explore the roots to find a definition of bossa nova music.īossa nova comes from samba, which is a musical genre of the early 1900s featuring a melody and simple harmonies sung in Portuguese. It’s recognizable to the ears for its unique rhythms and colorful percussion. All schools of South American music originated from the merging of African and Caribbean cultures.
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