Punta music is the most common and favoured style of Garifuna music. The original style has developed to become the more modern Punta Rock which is currently one of the most popular styles of music in Central America. Punta is the music that you can hear coming from peoples windows and at almost all gatherings.
It is known for the Punta dance style. This involves a dance off between women where you have to keep your torso steady whilst doing intricate hip and foot movements.
It is known for the Punta dance style. This involves a dance off between women where you have to keep your torso steady whilst doing intricate hip and foot movements.
Instruments used
Punta music relies on the beat set by the drums. The traditional segundo drum rhythm for Punta music is Ta Ti Ti Ta. The speed of the beat will be altered to challenge dancers and provide interest but this is mainly done by the primero drum. The maracas are also an important part of Punta music in keeping the beat. The primero drum has no set rhythm and what they play is up to the skills of both the player and the dancers. Both the segundo drum rhythm, primero drum and maracas can be heard in the music below.
Note: end listening example piece at 4:15
In Punta rock the electric and acoustic guitar are used in addition to the drums and maracas. This makes the music more popular to the younger Garifuna people as it is seen as more modern. overall the instruments used in Punta music are common for all Gariguna but the addition of guitars in Punta rock makes it more modern and appealing to the younger generations and modern society.
Duration
Punta rhythms are driving and energetic to suit the dance style. Lots of syncopation, polyrhythm and cross rhythms are used to add interest. There is always a repeated ostinato of Ta Ti Ti Ta played by the Segundo drum with the intricate rhythms of the Primero above. The Segundo drum ostinato and the cross rhythms of the Primero drum can be heard above. The garifuna people do not use tempo marking but if they did, Punta music would be moderato to allegro depending on the dancers. It is described as the most energetic style of Garifuna music.
The metre of Punta music is always simple triple which is much the same to the rest of the Garifuna music. There are never metre changes used due to the repeated ostinato.
The rhythms of Garifuna Punta music are very similar to that of African music due to the great infuence it had on the culture and are very much suited to the dancing and signing of the community.
For an excellent video on playing Punta music click on the button below or go to the videos page.
The metre of Punta music is always simple triple which is much the same to the rest of the Garifuna music. There are never metre changes used due to the repeated ostinato.
The rhythms of Garifuna Punta music are very similar to that of African music due to the great infuence it had on the culture and are very much suited to the dancing and signing of the community.
For an excellent video on playing Punta music click on the button below or go to the videos page.
Pitch
Garifuna music is not set in a key as no accompaniment is pitched. this allows the same rhythms to accompany several hundreds of different melodies. Melodies are fairly step wise with some thirds. They range from unison choruses, solo 'calls' to homophonic 'responses'. Music is always full of repeated melodies for continuity and this is very characteristic of the style. the repeats can be clearly heard in the music above. They harmony is simple and similar to that of African music. harmony is almost always homohonic and and in major chords. The range of the music is different depending on the vocalists and sometimes can be very large.
The atonality with simple scalic melodies and harmonies make Punta music very simple and adaptable for any event.
The atonality with simple scalic melodies and harmonies make Punta music very simple and adaptable for any event.
Dynamics and expressive techniques
Dynamics are not greatly used in Garifuna music as it is impromptu and sung by masses of people at the one time. Dynamic differences come from the the call being only one voice to the response being many. Similarly style markings are not used as it is an aural tradition.
Voices however, use several techniques such as whistles, yells and other sounds. These add interest to the music and aid in the telling of a story.
Voices however, use several techniques such as whistles, yells and other sounds. These add interest to the music and aid in the telling of a story.
Texture
As said before the texture is antiphonic with a homophonic response and sometimes just homophonic. Music is generally dense due to the many rhythms being played at the one time.
The layers of Punta music are:
The layers of Punta music are:
- lead singer
- chorus
- maracas
- primero drum
- segundo drum
Tone colour
The blending of the voices is juxtaposed by the accompanying precussion and the bass line of the segundo drum grounds the ensemble and adds a sense of continuity. Overall the tone colour of Garifuna music is very similar to that of African music and can become quite boomy with the addition of many voices.
The piece above has a rough tone colour due to the style of singing. this is characteristic of Garifuna music. The maracas contrast against the voices making them apropriate for keeping the beat. Overall the tone colour is quite harmonious and words together well.
The piece above has a rough tone colour due to the style of singing. this is characteristic of Garifuna music. The maracas contrast against the voices making them apropriate for keeping the beat. Overall the tone colour is quite harmonious and words together well.
Structure
The structure of Punta music varies but is normally a series of verses. The piece above has the structure of:
- A - unison voices
- B - call and response
- Drum instrumental
- B - call and response
- C - new call and response
- Drum instrumental
- A - unison verses
- B - call and response
- D - similar to B
- Coda
- Drums
- Coda 2
Lyrics
The lyrics to Punta songs are always composed by women to comment on unacceptale male behavior and challenges effecting the family. Punta music is a vital part of everyday life especially for women and is used in many gatherings and dance competitions.
Punta Rock
Punta rock is the newest form of Garifuna music and is derived from traditional Punta music by men. The traditional instruments are used with the addition of a drum kit, synthesized keyboard and electric guitar. There are many similarieties to Punta music and the main difference is the even faster tempo. This music is typically performed by men and is a provocative adaptation to the traditonal Punta music.