Another good day in the studio. I got so much done towards my next album of Piano Features with Orchestra, Merengue, and other backings. Today it was all about a merengue track I’ve been working now for a while.

This song is the one that would represent my Dominican Culture in the whole album. It features piano and the rhythm behind it it’s almost impossible not to dance to. While the album is more in the sentimental kind of mood, this is the track that would make you want to dance, even if you don’t dance merengue.

What’s Merengue?

Merengue is a genre of Caribean music and it’s dance. Different forms of Merengue were found in Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Venezuela, and other countries. However, the best know merengue came from Dominican Republic. And here I go again: I’m super proud to be Dominican!

Merengue was first mention in the Domincan Republic in 1954. It was highly promoted by Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, the most known dictator of the Dominican Republic, but many says that the name Merengue was first used in Puerto Rico slightly earlier than in the Dominican Republic.

The instrumentation of Merengue has changed since it’s beginning, but the most common and constant instrument is the Tambora. This is the most important rhythym instrument for a Merengue and it’s a two -sided drum that is held on the lap. El Tamborero or the tampora player uses a wood stick to hit one side, and the bare hand for the other side.

For my composition that will be released in this album, I’m implementing full string orchestra, different special effects and other instruments found on today’s Merengues. I think I could say this track is in the Raul Di Blasio style.

Make sure you go to my calendar and set a reminder of that album release. You don’t want to miss it, and I don’t want to miss your support either!

Thanks a lot for reading.