The Music
The formal musical elements of the Cuban rumba complex fall within the categories of material, verbal, and customary folklore. The material elements of the rumba include the instruments used by rumberos (those who perform the rumba), costumes, and props; the verbal elements include the lyrics and chants that accompany the instrumentation performed; and the customary elements include the performance of the music itself, including when, where, why, and how the music is played (Manuel 1994; Sims and Stephens 2011).
The Instruments
Rumberos and their conga drums; photo source: HeyBrian?
Central to the musical component of the Cuban rumba is the rhythm of percussion instruments, particularly claves (wooden sticks that are hit against each other), and conga or bata drums (Daniel 1991; Manuel 1994). One type of rumba, yambú, established during a period in the nineteenth century when drums were illegal, involves the use of box drums and is sometimes referred to as "rumba de cajon," or "box rumba" (Daniel 1991). In the past, inadequate access to instruments led to a great degree of improvisation and it became normal for performers to use "closets, tabletops, spoons, and especially codfish boxes" when playing the rumba (ibid., 2). Today, although drums and claves feature heavily in rumba instrumentation, improvisation of percussion instrumentation is still common (ibid.).
Voice and Lyrics
Verbal elements of the Cuban rumba are sung in Spanish. Song structure and vocal style, too, reflect Spanish heritage and are similar to other Spanish forms of traditional music, such as the son, the bomba and the guaracha (Daniel 1991; Manuel 1994). When performing the rumba, singing is voiced a capella. Although instrumentation accompanies the singing, the two elements do not match in melody, a traditional element that has been passed down through Cuba's Congolese and Angolan roots. Vocal refrains and repetition are common in rumba songs and lyrics may include snippets of both popular and traditional songs in brand new combinations, frequently featuring Yoruba chants (Daniel 1991; Manuel 1994). Notice the fast-paced tempo of the music that is characteristic of guaguancó rumba in the video below.
Video: Guaguancó rumba (1:35)
Timing: Rhythm and Beat
Rumba claves; photo source: Siesta
The musical elements of the rumba are marked by distinctive Spanish- and African-derived rhythms, particularly clave patterns (Manuel 1994). The tempo of the music depends in part upon the type of rumba being performed. Guaguancó rumba, for example, is marked by especially fast-paced percussion rhythms. Additionally, personal preferences of the musician playing the claves determines the tempo of both the music and the dance during any given performance. The tempo may change mid-performance at his or her discretion and dancers are expected to alter their movements to align with the beat of the claves while conga drummers adjust their own playing (Daniel 1991).
Next: The Dance