First the subject of rhythm. The bedrock of Cuban and Latin music is a beat called Clave. Pronounced ‘Clah-bay’. Typically this is tapped out using two short hardwood percussion sticks with the same name (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claves). The clave rhythm comprises three long beats followed by two short beats, or the reverse. A prime example of the 3-2 clave beat is almost everything by Bo Diddley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgBbmuD_LQw Billy Boy Arnold often helped out on the harmonica. You may prefer the song Hand Jive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrdjxj3lMD0 (or its derivitive used in the movie Grease).

The reverse 2-3 clave is best illustrated by a Cuban song called The Peanut Vendor. Here’s a version by mambo king, the great Perez Prado (mentioned in the post above) http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=peanut+vendor+perez+prado&aq=3 This beat is a little trickier to get into, but once you’re there, it’s naturally infectious. Count ‘one’ dah-dah, and dah, dah, dah. More on the roots of this world famous tune here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peanut_Vendor

Here’ a fabulous lesson in clave on the Conga drums. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9OE9tOTBjY&feature=related The comment about incorporating the beat is so central to the whole subject. This is dance music. You cannot sit still once it starts cooking. So live it. Breath it.

And on to chord progressions in Latin music. This is a MASSIVE subject. Depending on the Latin style – clave, mambo, cha-cha-cha, tango, rumba, samba, salsa and everything in between (each has its musical nuances), not to mention all the wonderful Afro-Caribbean and American beats, the chord progression will vary. Cuban Guajira or country music has a very special chordal twist to it.

In Rhythm and Blues there is a strong tradition of switching between Latin rumba and a straight shuffle beat using the typical blues I, IV, V progression. But if we were to focus on the Latin side of things, we’re looking at a sway between two keys a semitone apart, or a movement up and down in semitone steps. Here Todd Parrott demonstrates a Spanish tuned Marine Band harmonica which switches between the chords of E and F http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=higvIZUKlJg. The audible effect is self evident. Reggae follows the same principle.

Of course a great exponent of the Blues-Latin crossover is Carlos Santana. No finer example than his hit cover of Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac’s Black Magic Woman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKnRUfh_5I&feature=fvw

Another entry point into Latin music is through piano. Personally I get off on this aspect of Cuban music. It’s just too sexy for words. Check this excellent footage out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1omyxeeudaE Watch how the hands move up and down in semitone steps.

On the subject of Perez Prado by the way, many will have been recently introduced to his music by way of the Mambo No.5 hit single http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz4eHPD40w4 and maybe the Guiness advert which preceded it by a few years http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdKI1TyDhaw

I’ll get back to you on the 2B topic next. It’s to do with modes and positional playing.

Cheers!

For example, what’s happening rhythmically? Are there signature chord progressions? Now, you’ve done us a service but sharing lessons learned from your own baptism by fire, but anyone hoping to gate crash a Bueno Vista Social Club should seek those answers first.

p.s. You said in Lick 2 to avoid the two-hole blow, which is the major 6th if I ain’t mistaken. But in one of the other Licks we see the five-hole blow coming into play, which is the same note. Does it differ from song to song?
One man with a whole lot of Latin in his harp is Joe Powers, tango harmonica specialist. He does wonderful stuff on chromatic and diatonic both: http://www.joepowers.com/

To move fully into Latin diatonic, in my humble opinion there’s none better than Rory McLeod. The South American influences on his Footsteps And Heartsbeats album are stunning. Treat yourself; pour a Tequila and listen to The Mariachi’s Love Song.

I am looking forward to feedback from the community on other players who use this area of music for their harp playing.

Whilst you check out all the above, marvel at Rory in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxcS74-zVIg