Afro-Latin American and

Popular Music
Maria Lady Vie Taguba
Polyziryl Banguilan
Charisse Limbo
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF LATIN
AMERICA
• The varied cultures developed in Latin America gave rise to different
types of wind and percussion instruments. As with the African
continent, their rich history dating back thousands of years ago with
the Aztec, Maya, and other prehistoric cultural groups in Latin
America understandably generates their own brands of creativity in
making music.

• In Central America, the ancient civilizations of the Aztec and Maya

people used various instruments mainly for religious functions and
usually by professional musicians. As some instruments were
considered holy and it was further believed that music was
supposed to glorify the gods, mistakes in playing these instruments
were considered offensive and insulting to them. Some of their
instruments include the following:
Tlapitzalli
• The tlapitzalli is a flute variety from
the Aztec culture made of clay with
decorations of abstract designs or
images of their deities.
teponaztli
• The teponaztli is a Mexican slit drum
hollowed out and carved from a
piece of hardwood. It is then
decorated with designs in relief
or carved to represent human figures
or animals to be used for both religious
and recreational purposes.
conch
• The conch is a wind instrument made from a seashell
usually of a large sea shell. It is prepared by cutting a hole
on its spine near the apex, then blown into as if it were a
trumpet.
rasp
• The rasp is a hand percussion instrument whose sound is
produced by scraping a group of notched sticks with
another stick, creating a series of rattling effects.
huehueti
• The huehueti is a Mexican upright
tubular drum used by the Aztecs
and other ancient civilizations. It is
made of wood opened at the bottom
and standing on three legs cut from
the base, with its stretched skin beaten
by the hand or a wooden mallet.
whistles
• Whistles are instruments made of natural elements such as
bone from animals. The eagle-bone whistle is the most
common whose function is to help symbolize the piece’s
purpose.
Incan Instruments
Among the Incas of South America, two instrumental varieties were most
common:

a. Ocarina
The ocarina was an ancient vessel flute made
of clay or ceramic with four to 12 finger holes and
a mouthpiece that projected from the body.
Incan instruments
b. Panpipes (Zamponas)
The zamponas were ancient instruments tuned to different scalar
varieties, played by blowing across the tubetop. Typical models
were either in pairs or as several bamboo tubes of different
lengths tied together to produce graduated pitches of sound.
 Andean instruments
The Andean highlands made use of several varieties of flutes and
string instruments that include the following:

a. Pitus
The pitus are side-blown cane flutes that are
played all year round
 Andean instruments
b. Wooden Tarkas
The tarkas are vertical duct flutes with a mouthpiece similar
to that of a recorder, used during the rainy season.
 Andean instruments
c. Quenas
The quenas are vertical cane flutes with an end- notched
made from the fragile bamboo. They are used during the dry
season.
 Andean instruments
d. Charango
The charango is a ten-stringed Andean guitar from Bolivia. It
is the size of a ukulele and a smaller version of the mandolin,
imitating the early guitar and lute brought by the Spaniards. It
produces bright sounds and is often used in serenades in Southern
Peru.
 Andean instruments
Mariachi
The Mariachi is an extremely popular band in Mexicp
whose original ensemble consisted of violins, guitars, harp, and an
enormous guitarron (acoustic band guitar). Trumpets were later
added, replacing the harps. Mariachi music is extremely
passionate and romantic with their blended harmonies and
characterized by catchy rythm. Its musicians are distinctly
adorned with with-brimmed hats and silver buttons.