Various :: Flutes des Caraibes, Vol. 1

Caribbean music – in all its diversity – is part of our global cultural heritage. The various music genres borrowed and adapted rhythmic and harmonic elements from European music. With the addition of indigenous influences, they evolved and developed their own musical identity. Specific elements of African music account for their dancing and swaying character.

The flute features prominently in this music, in the French (‘Mornes’ country flute) as well as the Spanish Caribbean worlds.

As we go on, we’ll come across several syncopated rhythmic patterns, each specific to a particular music genre. Rhythmic exercises are presented as short Audio Patterns (actual extracts from the pieces).

I can only recommend singing the melodies, either whole or by sections. Oral transmission and appropriation is the best approach and will no doubt develop and enhance your rhythmic sightreading skills, especially complex rhythms. Do not hesitate to move and dance along: be creative and develop your own playful exercises, anchoring your practice to the provided accompaniment performed on percussions, bass and piano (in the ‘playback only’ version) for rhythmic support.

Play all 4/4 pieces in cut time.

Phrasing marks (dot, slur, accent) are essential to a stylistically-informed performance. The Flute 1 and accompaniment tracks present one possible performance of this music. Now it is up to you to find your own way!

Contents

• Tout va bien — Cuba
• Chacha gozar — Cuba
• Marche aux fleurs — Guadeloupe
• Couleur port — Colombie
• Carnaval zouk — Haiti, Guadeloupe
• Sweet bolero — Cuba
• Aromes cannelle — Martinique
• Alors on danse! — Cuba
• Ti punch coco — Trinite-et-Tobago
• Tranquillo — Cuba