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Caribbean Music

Crribean musial genres have absorbed influences from African, European, Indian and other indigenous peoples from the communities of the West Indies. Carribean genres have woven a thread through both popular music and jazz - from Harry Belefonte’s popular 1950s records like “Day-O” to Sonny Rollins Calypso, “St. Thomas”, the lilting  melodies and syncopations of Caribbean music are attractive to many vocalists and instrumentalists - including steel guitarists.

ANTIGUA

Antigua is basically, just a vamp with a bridge. The [A] section’s melody makes use of C major and B Flat major arpeggios. The [B] Section uses a progression of 6th chords tied to a II, V turn-around that returns us to the head. The tune’s head began as a vamp for improvisation and it makes a fun backdrop to test out your musical ideas.

CURACAO

Calypso music is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid-19th century. Curaaco has a fairly simple melody but requires palm and/or pick blocking needed to cut off ringing strings so that notes are played staccato and the rests can do their their job in shaping the syncopated musical lines. 

C6th TUNING: 

              STRING # 6    5  4    3  2   1

                   NOTES: C E G A C E 

All music is © 2020 Andrew Volk.