Folk Instruments of Puerto Rico: Their Origins, Roots and Influence in Puerto Rican Culture
Westminster Choir College of Rider University
Princeton, NJ
FOLK INSTRUMENTS OF PUERTO RICO:
THEIR ORIGINS, ROOTS AND INFLUENCE IN PUERTO RICAN CULTURE
Luis F. Rodríguez
MH 631 - Introduction to Musicology
Prof. Mirchandani
12/19/2001
CONTENTS:
Introduction 3
Historical Background 3
Musical Genres 4
Musical Instruments
Taíno Heritage 6
African Heritage 8
Plucked String Instruments (“Spanish Heritage”) 9
Their Relationship with Folk/Popular Music and Art Music
and their influence in Puerto Rican Culture 13
Conclusions 15
Bibliography 16
INTRODUCTION
The history of Puerto Rican music in general is incomplete and inaccurate. There is little documentation available from the 16th through the 18th-century, due to the lack of attention that the Spanish authorities paid towards Puerto Rico. During this gestation time, educated people considered it not interesting to write about culture and music –especially jíbaro music– in Puerto Rico during the first centuries of the colonization time; it was more interesting to be a philosopher, for example.
It is possible the exposure of other European cultures (and thus their music and instruments) brought to Puerto Rico by contraband during this time, but there is no concrete evidence[1]. The only true fact is that the music of the jíbaros is the basis of the Puerto Rican’s shaping; to say jíbaro is the same as to say Puerto Rican. Thus, it was the jíbaro that first began to give shape to Puerto Rican culture, and with it the music and musical instruments.
This paper will explore the Puerto Rican instruments and how are they related to the history and culture of Puerto Rico.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Puerto Rican culture is part of a Hispanic civilization. It is the result of the Spaniard’s encounter with the Taíno Indian and the African–with the Hispanic element
Princeton, NJ
FOLK INSTRUMENTS OF PUERTO RICO:
THEIR ORIGINS, ROOTS AND INFLUENCE IN PUERTO RICAN CULTURE
Luis F. Rodríguez
MH 631 - Introduction to Musicology
Prof. Mirchandani
12/19/2001
CONTENTS:
Introduction 3
Historical Background 3
Musical Genres 4
Musical Instruments
Taíno Heritage 6
African Heritage 8
Plucked String Instruments (“Spanish Heritage”) 9
Their Relationship with Folk/Popular Music and Art Music
and their influence in Puerto Rican Culture 13
Conclusions 15
Bibliography 16
INTRODUCTION
The history of Puerto Rican music in general is incomplete and inaccurate. There is little documentation available from the 16th through the 18th-century, due to the lack of attention that the Spanish authorities paid towards Puerto Rico. During this gestation time, educated people considered it not interesting to write about culture and music –especially jíbaro music– in Puerto Rico during the first centuries of the colonization time; it was more interesting to be a philosopher, for example.
It is possible the exposure of other European cultures (and thus their music and instruments) brought to Puerto Rico by contraband during this time, but there is no concrete evidence[1]. The only true fact is that the music of the jíbaros is the basis of the Puerto Rican’s shaping; to say jíbaro is the same as to say Puerto Rican. Thus, it was the jíbaro that first began to give shape to Puerto Rican culture, and with it the music and musical instruments.
This paper will explore the Puerto Rican instruments and how are they related to the history and culture of Puerto Rico.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Puerto Rican culture is part of a Hispanic civilization. It is the result of the Spaniard’s encounter with the Taíno Indian and the African–with the Hispanic element