The Sounds Of Puerto Rico
Cuatro
The national instrument of Puerto Rico; a beautifully carved ten-stringed lute (five doubled courses) that delivers bright, intricate melodic leads.
Listen to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's musical identity is a powerful, syncopated fusion of West African rhythms, indigenous Taíno heritage, and Spanish melodic influences—a sonic landscape defined by the unyielding spirit of storytelling and dance.
Key Musical Concepts
Bomba (The Dialogue): An Afro-Puerto Rican tradition where the dancer and the lead drummer (subidor) engage in a spontaneous, improvisational duel—the drummer must match the dancer's sudden movements in real-time.
Plena (The Living Newspaper): Originating in working-class barrios, Plena is driven by handheld frame drums and features satirical or historical lyrics that historically broadcast community news and political satire.
