Beyond Salsa for Beginners

After writing over 20 instructional books on Cuban piano, congas, drums, timbales, clave and bass, this is Kevin Moore's first book for non-musicians - listeners, dancers and fans of Latin music. Beyond Salsa alternates between "Listening Tours" (music history, analysis of songs, and record-collecting advice) and Rhythm Exercises chapters with singing, clapping and dancing exercises (including audio files) designed to enhance listening skills. The four Listening Tours are: I. Pre-Revolution Cuban Popular Music (1900-1959); II. Salsa and Post-Revolution Cuban Popular Music (1959-1989); Timba (1989-2012); and a special section covering Afro-Cuban Folkloric Music, Comparsa, Changui and Rumba. The rhythm exercises include the basic rhythms of each instrument, clave, various types of basic dance steps, a section on learning to feel the Latin groove properly, and a special chapter on the problems that new listeners of Afro-Cuban folkloric music sometimes have with hearing the beat and meter correctly. A link is provided for a free audio download with 107 audio files corresponding to the exercises. There's also a second download for sale with additional audio files. Also included are an extensive glossary and a beginners guide to the Spanish language and Cuban slang in music for English-speakers.