1. Why does Dr. Munarriz consider the label “Latin American Music” problematic? Do you agree or disagree with his position? Why?

“Latin American Music” consists of 46 different music styles as well as 522 indigenous groups that speak 420 distinct languages. The extreme diversity of cultural music expressions makes it very hard to label Latin American Music as a whole. I agree that because of the incredible diversity which Dr. Munarriz covers very well, Latin American Music is problematic when it comes to explaining it since every country seems to have their own understanding of style and music.

2. What is the difference between Latin American Music and Latin Music?

Latin American music is music that comes from any French, Spanish or Portuguese region south of Rio Grande. Latin music is music produced by people who are from Latin American descent but reside, live, or are citizens of the United States of America.

3. What are ostinatos and how are they used in many Caribbean and Latin American musical expressions?

In most cases like in classical music, an ostinatos is something that gets repeated. In the Caribbean and parts of South America however, the ostinatos are an integral part of music, becoming the structural scaffolding of the composition. Something that is derived from African music and reiterated to the Caribbean, Central and Latin America. Some examples of where ostinatos are utilized would be “Ibarabo ago mo juba”, “Olokun”, and “Ghana’e”.

4. What are some of the Latin American expressions in which the so called “Habanera Pattern” can be easily identified?

In Cuban Porto Rico in some cases they refer to the “Habanera” pattern as “ma-ni tos-tao” (roasted peanuts) or “ca-fe con pan” (coffee with bread). Played in a 2/4 time signature, the Habanera can be found in Latin American expressions such as “Ballet Folklorico De Camaguey Cuba”, and “Mason Dance”. It is important to mention just how many different shapes, forms, colors and textures it allowed just by different changes, primarily by the role of performance practices is what makes music.