What Is Bachata?
by Adam Taub
Bachata is a genre of music and dance that originated and is currently popular in the Dominican Republic. Bachata has gained popularity around the world and is now listened to and danced to in many countries.
The above definition is just our starting place from which we can begin to explore what is Bachata. I have been asking this question ‘What is Bachata’ of Bachata musicians, dancers and fans for over a decade and have received many different answers. The aim of this article is not to provide a final definition of what is Bachata but rather to serve as a starting point for further exploration. Perhaps a deeper understanding of Bachata will emerge if we let go of the need for a definitive definition of what Bachata is or is not. Remember, the best way to learn about Bachata may be to listen to it, dance it and experience the culture where it came from. So what is Bachata? Que es la Bachata?
What Is Bachata in The Dominican Republic Video by Adam Taub
Bachata Is a Dominican cultural treasure
Bachata along with Merengue are the two most prominent musics from the Dominican Republic. In an interview, Bachata musician Nano Paredes said that “Bachata is culture” and expressed that it encompasses how Dominicans feel and live. Others have compared Bachata to common Dominican food dishes saying its the ‘rice and beans’ musically speaking, of the Dominican Republic. Many Dominicans speak of having Bachata in their blood, invoking heritage and spirit. Bachata is listened and danced to in variety of social settings including colmados (small corner stores), bars, discos, cars, patios and homes. Credit for the first recorded Bachata is often given to Jose Manuel Calderon in 1962, but it’s important to realize that guitar music was played in the Dominican Republic before that date. Bachata coalesced as a distinct Dominican genre of guitar music during the 60’s and 70’s with a different flavor than other Latin American bolero and guitar traditions. In the late 80’s and early 90’s the Bachata guitar electrified and was given effects to create the distinct sound we now recognize. In 2019, UNESCO acknowledged that Bachata is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and many Dominicans take tremendous pride in the fact that Bachata is now popular around the world. It’s important to note however, that although Bachata is widely enjoyed in the Dominican Republic, not every Dominican likes it or dances to it. This can be for reasons of personal taste, lack of exposure, or because of certain negative cultural and social associations the music has for some Dominicans. Given Bachatas current popularity around the world people are often surprised to learn that Bachata was once highly stigmatized and marginalized in the Dominican Republic and was labeled music of the lower class.
Bachata Is From ‘El Pueblo’ and Was Marginalized
It has been said that Bachata is music from ‘El Pueblo’ or from the common Dominican people. Not long ago Bachata was marginalized, not accepted by the media, within certain social classes, and by those with power and economic resources in society. Bachata musicians and those that listened to it were called bad names to diminish or disparage them such as ‘illiterate, vulgar, or unsophisticated.’ The reasons for this are complex, but a big part of it was because Bachata was created and consumed by people without economic or political power. Profesor Deborah Pacini Hernandez said "It's been compared to the blues in the past… I think in terms of, structurally, the kind of folks who were making it, people on the margins of society.” Today the stigma of Bachata still exists to some extent in the DR, it has greatly diminished and now Bachata is enjoyed across social and economic classes and is accepted as a living part of Dominican heritage. Although it has now gained wide social acceptance in Dominican society, it’s still often the case that to find the ‘real’ Bachata, one must go to los campos, los bateyes and los barrios of the Dominican Republic. Bachatas history as a marginalized genre in the Dominican Republic is important in understanding what is Bachata.
Bachata Is a Feeling
When asked ‘what is Bachata’ many answer that Bachata is a feeling and a form of expression. Some may principally describe it as alegria or joy, while others describe it as amargue or the blues. Without a doubt, joy and pain both exist in Bachata. Guarino, a Bachata bassist once said that Bachata is ‘Dominican Blues’ and Romeo Santos called it ‘soul music.’ The Bachata legend Luis Segura said that Bachata is a feeling of love and heartbreak and that if you don’t sing Bachata with your soul, its not Bachata. Bachata musician and arranger Martires de Leon said that Bachata expresses a feeling of melancholy. This melancholy, expressed with guitars, bass, bongo, güira and a singer is Bachata. Without a doubt this joy and pain, love and heartbreak both exist in Bachata and make it what it is. I have been told Bachata is something you feel, that you carry it in the blood. Bachata can inspire people to to dance, laugh, cry, smile, drink, reflect or party.
Bachatero El Chivo Sin Ley Singing Bachata
What Is Bachata Music
Guitar Music
Bachata derives from the Latin American tradition of guitar music. Early Bachata musicians were heavily influenced by guitar music from around the Americas in countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ecuador and the USA. In the early days the lead guitar was an acoustic requinto. Beginning in the late 80’s some Bachateros such as Blas Duran began to use electric steel string guitars in their groups. Then in the early 90’s it became common to add effects to the lead guitar to achieve the distinct Bachata guitar sound we hear today. The lead guitar is a strong emotional element in the song and often in conversation with the voice. Also, listen for the distinct bachata guitar arpeggio that accompanies the voice during verses.
Emotive Vocals and Lyrics
Bachata is emotive vocal music. As Luis Segura said, if you don’t sing Bachata with FEELING its not Bachata. The singer is essential in Bachata music. The rest of the Bachata groups support and enhancement of the singers emotional and lyrical message is of utmost importance for a Bachata song to be effective. The lyrical themes that Bachata deals with are most often about romantic relationships. Heartbreak, love, longing, desire. Bachata can deal with other themes such as family, the death of a loved one, social issues or friendship, but by far the bulk of the lyrics deal with romantic relationship.
Bachata has a Vocalist and 5 essential instruments
In addition to a vocalist there are 5 essential instruments in Bachata music that include the lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, bongo and güira. Each instrument has a certain foundational musical role that they play within the Bachata song and musical group, along with various degrees of freedom to improvise. There are fundamental rhythms that the bongo, bass, güira and second guitar will play during the derecho, majao or mambo sections of the song that these rhythms help define what Bachata is. Other instruments can be added to a Bachata group such as the synthesizer, conga, drum kit, saxophone, or violin but these are seen as adornments and not considered essential to a Bachata group. It is also common to see Bachata played informally in patios without all the instruments present. For instance an informal gathering with just with two guitars and a singer.
Bachata Instruments: Vocalist + Lead + Guitar + Bongo + Bass + Güira + Rhythm Guitar
Conversation Between Guitar and Voice
Bachata is both a guitar based music and a vocal music. The conversation that happens between the vocalist and the lead guitar largely creates the emotional story of the song. There can be a dialog or call and response between the two. Sometimes the lead singer is also the lead guitar and in other groups they may be separate musicians. The lead guitar is often called ‘el requinto.’ after the smaller, nylon string requintos used in Bachatas early days. Now the Bachata lead guitar most used is an electro-acoustic steel string guitar that is often ran through an effects pedal to achieve Bachatas bright distinctive guitar sound. Whether listening or dancing to Bachata, pay attention to this dialog between guitar and voice.
Bachatero Joan Soriano with his guitar
Bachata Timing and tempo
Bachata music has a 4/4 time signature meaning it has 4 beats per bar. Listening to the bongo in the music is a good way to clearly hear the 4 beats. As mentioned before each instrument has a certain role that it plays within this timing structure. Bachata tempo can vary greatly depending on the song. Bachatas come in a variety of tempos from slow to fast. In the Bachata music suggestions below I have included a variety of tempos for you to explore.
Bachata Music Sounds
Bachata can sound very different depending on what era it was created, the specific musicians, the tempo, the songs structure and what region it was produced in. A variety of other factors can also influence the sound of it. One of the biggest sonic distinctions is whether the lead guitar is acoustic or electro-acoustic with effects. During the late 80’s and early 90’s Bachatas lead guitar sound began to change when it was electrified, amplified and given effects. Again I want to call your attention to the Bachata music list included below so that you can hear the sonic diversity in Bachata music.
Bachata Musical Sancocho
A sancocho is a soup or stew that you can find in the Dominican Republic where many different kinds of meats and vegetables are added in. Bachata has been compared by some musicians to a sancocho in a musical sense, in that it derives a lot of it ingredients from other music and dance genres. Bachata is largely derived from Bolero and Son and is heavily influenced and enriched by Merengue, Ranchera, Vallenato, Jíbaro, Pop, and Urban music among other genres. When all these ingredients were added and cooked in the Dominican Republic Bachata took on its own unique and distinct musical flavor. Although Bachata is from the Dominican Republic and we acknowledge the importance of its Dominican roots, we must also recognize that it has been influenced and enriched by many other cultures and nationalities since its beginning continuing until today. In fact, it would not exist at all without influence and participation from other cultures, people and countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Mexico, Colombia, and the USA just to name some. The great Bachata bass player Billy Bachata pointed out that Bachata is a fusion of African and European elements. In addition we can add to that the important contribution of indigenous cultural elements to Bachata as well. So to say that Bachata is ‘Dominican music’ is true, but only if we also acknowledge and understand the great contributions that other cultures have made on Bachata music and dance.
Bachata Dancers
What Is Bachata Dance
Bachata is a Dominican social dance most often danced in partners of two. Many people are learning HOW TO DANCE BACHATA. The most common foundational or ‘basic’ step involves taking 3 steps followed by a touch or tap over the course of 4 beats. The dancer then continues the same thing on the other side. 1, 2, 3, Touch. On the dance floor, it is traditionally a partner dance with a lead and follow but it is also common to see people dancing it alone when the music moves them in their home, patio or neighborhood colmado. Though not traditionally a performance-based dance, it is now common to see Bachata dance performances at Bachata festivals around the world. As Bachata music and dance have spread around the world there have been many fusions with many other dance genres and now Bachata dance can look very different than it does in the Dominican Republic. Bachata in the Dominican Republic is generally learned and taught informally in families, groups of friends, or on the dance floor. Outside of the Dominican Republic, it is much more common for Bachata to be learned through classes and workshops. The above description is just a tiny intro to Bachata dance as it exists around the world. I have included below some videos so you can help learn what Bachata dance is and looks like in the Dominican Republic. Explore more about what Bachata dance is in this blog post.
Bachata Dance Styles in the DR
Bachata Dance Couples
How to dance Bachata basic steps
Bachata Dancers in the Dominican Republic
What Does Bachata Mean
Most of those familiar with the word "bachata" know it as a popular musical genre and dance form native to the Dominican Republic(DR). However, before it came to be used to refer to a genre of music it meant a "fiesta del patio" or an informal gathering of friends and neighbors where music was played and drink was often served. It was first used as an insult, a disparaging term that implied that the music and the people that listened to it were from a "lower" class, uneducated, crude, vulgar, and immoral. Today, to a great extent, the word has been "reclaimed" and currently has a much more positive connotation in the DR and internationally. It is still used to describe a musical genre and dance but does not have the same level of discrimination attached to it as before. The discrimination against bachata, although greatly diminished, still exists in the DR however.
What is Bachata? Adam Taub will explore this question during this livestream, share perspectives from his interviews with people and musicians in the Dominican Republic.
Bachata is the Bachata Musicians that Make It
Intro To Bachata Song List
Voy Pa Alla - Antony Santos
Vocales de Amor - Joan Soriano
Pena Por Ti - Luis Segura
Por Un Segundo - Aventura
La Cama Tiene Candela - Robin Cariño
Cuanto Llore - Felix Cumbe
Hoja En Blanco - Monchy y Alexandra
Neyreda - Raulin Rodriguez
Si Pudiera Zacarias Ferreira
Corazon Sin Cara - Prince Royce
Amor Del Bueno - Ramon Cordero
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Leslie Grace
Quien Eres Tu - Frank Reyes
Ay Mami - Marino Perez
The Duke of Bachata documentary film about Joan Soriano
Blog Post by Adam Taub
If you would like to contact Adam Taub about giving an in person or online presentation or workshop on Bachata, reach out to him by email at adam_taub@hotmail.com
Bachata Resources:
Bachata Youtube Channels:
Adam Taub - https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamTaubVideo
iASO Records - https://www.youtube.com/c/iasoRecords
Marvic Trejo - https://www.youtube.com/user/louisEX2/videos
Arieto Arts - https://www.youtube.com/c/Are%C3%ADtoArts/videos
Bachata Books :
Bachata: a Social History of a Dominican Popular Music. Pacini Hernández, Deborah.
Bachata and Dominican Identity/La bachata y la identidad dominicana. Sellers, Julie A. and Darío Tejeda.
De Santo Domingo al mundo: el merengue y la bachata. Velázquez, Carlos and Alejandro Ureña.
The Modern bachateros: 27 Interviews. Sellers, Julie A. and Jerry W. Carlson.
Bachata y son en la historia musical dominicana. Paulino Ramos, Alejandro.