| The difference between a regular, acoustic | | | | contemporary Latin music is enjoyed. The |
| guitar and a Latin guitar is not all that | | | | Latin guitar, keeping to its namesake, uses |
| widespread. An acoustic guitar is an | | | | what is called a clave, in order that the |
| evolution of the Latin guitar in many ways. | | | | music produced falls within certain |
| When someone says they want to learn to play | | | | parameters. The clave is put together using a |
| the Latin guitar, what they actually mean is | | | | 3-2 progression and sometimes composed using |
| they want to learn to play an original guitar | | | | other patterns. In full, a clave is a musical |
| from the Romantic era, or the Latin area of | | | | pattern held to the rhythm of two sticks that |
| the world - namely Europe. The Middle East | | | | sort of lead the group as a composer might |
| and parts of Africa have also used a guitar | | | | lead a symphony. While some improvisation is |
| for centuries and it is hard to decipher | | | | allowed, the group generally follows the beat |
| where the modern guitar takes most of its | | | | of the clave coordinator. |
| form. However, the Latin guitar is still | | | | |
| played in Central and South America. It is | | | | When playing the Latin guitar, it is |
| also still played in Spain, and used for such | | | | important that one understands how Latin |
| types of music as Flamenco. | | | | music is held together, made up of a |
| | | | beginning, middle, and end, with a generally |
| The modern Latin guitar was enhanced and | | | | long introduction. In fact, many northern |
| fully developed in Latin American countries, | | | | American listeners would say that the |
| namely in Havana Cuba, where modern Latin | | | | introduction is overly prolonged. But, for |
| guitar rhythms are rooted. Latin guitar often | | | | Latin music lovers, the introduction gives |
| inspires dance and has been said to inspire | | | | the listener a chance to become involved |
| silent meditation on an almost religious | | | | -letting the power of the music seep in and |
| level. The reason, however, that many people | | | | take over. The middle of the song is followed |
| want to learn to play the Latin guitar today | | | | by a band that plays various chord |
| is because the genre of music has something | | | | progressions that intensify as the playing |
| that other types of music cannot come close | | | | continues. The piece is then ended by playing |
| to matching - rhythm. The player has to be | | | | something similar to the introduction, only |
| able to concentrate and play numerous rhythms | | | | shorter, and something that leads to a |
| at once and cross with other instruments that | | | | feeling of closure. All of these variables |
| also add their own musical harmony. | | | | work together to create, hold, play, and end |
| | | | a piece of Latin music, even when played on |
| In the traditional, Cuban sense, other | | | | the guitar. |
| rhythmic instruments, such as the congas, | | | | |
| timbales, and other stringed instruments, | | | | For the best resource on how to Learn to Play |
| always accompany the Latin guitar. | | | | Latin Guitar, read more at Learn and Master |
| Oftentimes, a piano or keyboard will join in | | | | Guitar. |
| the ensemble, which is how more modern | | | | |