Merengue Típico
The accordion-driven country roots of Dominican merengue.
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Overview
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Etymology and naming
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Origins
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Musical anatomy
The Diatonic Accordion and the Jamboree
The button accordion at the melodic core of Dominican merengue típico
3 min read
Güira, Tambora, and Accordion: The Perico Ripiao Trio
Three instruments, three heritages — the engine of merengue típico
3 min read
Saxophone and the Mambo Section
The mambo section within merengue's instrumentation, form, and historical record
3 min read
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Technique
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Pioneers
Agapito Pascual: The Modern Model of Merengue Típico
The accordionist who sped up the perico ripiao and fused it with mambo brass
2 min read
El Ciego de Nagua: The Blind Maestro of Accordion Merengue
Bartolo Alvarado refined merengue típico — "he put a suit and tie on the accordion"
3 min read
El Prodigio
Dominican accordionist and experimental voice in merengue típico
3 min read
Fefita la Grande: La Mayimba of Merengue Típico
The Dominican accordion queen who became the face of merengue típico
2 min read
Francisco Ulloa
Dominican accordionist and standard-bearer of merengue típico
5 min read
Tatico Henríquez: Innovator of Merengue Típico
The Nagua-born accordionist who rewired the Cibao’s traditional ensemble and set merengue típico’s modern standard
5 min read
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Cultural context
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Common misconceptions
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Glossary
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