Need help with marengue

[RedLeg]

Hi all.
I am getting to a new unit and the salsa band is more of a latin band. translated, we play salsa, bachata, and merengue. Bachata seems pretty straight forward. I am needing some help with the merengue. I was just looking for some general tips on what are the lines I should be playing and the tone I should be going for. So far I have been pointed to Grupo Mania and Elvis Crespo. Thanks for the input.

Rob.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

The first thing is: If you want to play modern (from mid 90s onward) Merengue tunes, you definitely need a 5-string bass. The low register of this instrument became an integral component of modern Merengue's sound.

Old Merengue's basslines used to be pretty straightforward, but Merengue bassists have incorporated lots of stuff in their playing. But, in general terms, you should look for a pretty fat tone, playing very staccato notes while emphasizing chord changes with rather long notes. Also, glissandi are used very often to "warn" the listener (and the band) that a new section of the song is coming, specially for instrumental parts i.e. the verse is ending and now comes the sax part. Chords (fourths, fifths and dominant 7th chord shapes, mainly) are used to grab attention in the middle of instrumental sections as well.

Here are some personal favorite Merengue lines:

YouTube - ‪Los Sabrosos Del Merengue - Escuchame‬‏

Escuchar Live medley (edit) sergio vargas - goear.com

YouTube - ‪Cristian Castro - Azul (Merengue)‬‏

YouTube - ‪Juan Luis Guerra - El Niagara en Bicicleta‬‏

YouTube - ‪Elvis Crespo - Suavemente‬‏

This guy is one of the biggest names among Merengue bassists (although he's not playing a bassline but a lead here).

And this guy is an AWESOME Merengue bass player.

Hope this helps.

[Minus]

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. - what a great post! thank you!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Minus

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. - what a great post! thank you!

I'm glad you find it helpful.

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Chords (fourths, fifths and dominant 7th chord shapes, mainly) are used to grab attention in the middle of instrumental sections as well.

Here's, for instance, a trick that works quite well on mid-tempo Merengue songs in the key of A (both major and minor):



(During the V chord, of course)

EDIT: I know it's been recorded so many times, but the only recording I can think of right now in which it can be heard is this video. Sorry for the not so good quality. It's a live video of the tropical music band I play with, recorded with my photo camera. The "trick" can be heard at 2:33 and 2:56.

[RedLeg]

superb info. I thank you. Here is a weird question. I was watching a live version of grupo mania in las vegas and it sounded like (and looked like) the bass player was hitting muted strings on the beat to become more of a percussion instrument; while also hitting some roots and walking up lines to the changes. it sounded like he was putting "4 on the floor" to use a drummer parlance.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by RedLeg

superb info. I thank you. Here is a weird question. I was watching a live version of grupo mania in las vegas and it sounded like (and looked like) the bass player was hitting muted strings on the beat to become more of a percussion instrument; while also hitting some roots and walking up lines to the changes. it sounded like he was putting "4 on the floor" to use a drummer parlance.

Is that video available online? Can you post a link?

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Minus

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. - what a great post! thank you!

+1, yes great info

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Here's another example of a great Merengue bassline that I forgot to include in the list above:

‪tulile ta buena‬‏ - YouTube

[Thor]

I'm latching on to the train here so I can give a listen later.
Nice post!

[RedLeg]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Is that video available online? Can you post a link?

‪Elvis Crespo, Grupo Mania - Linda Eh (Live From Las Vegas)‬‏ - YouTube

every now and then you will catch the bassist pounding away, but no note, just percussive thump.

[RedLeg]

BTW, you all havnt lived till you have seen cute japanese girls decked out in their short school girl outfits (they're legal) dancing to salsa and merengue. talk about yellow fever!