In contrast to most of its neighbours, the national music of Paraguay is overwhelmingly European in character. This is quite ironic given that Paraguayans, of which an almost absolute majority is mestizo, are in general very nativist; of the two national languages spoken by a universally bilingual population, Spanish and Guaraní, the latter indigenous language is favoured as the language of everyday speech while Spanish is reserved for more formal settings. Also peculiar is that despite the music being overwhelmingly European, the language of choice for the lyrics is also most often Guaraní. Mestizo (Portuguese, Mestiço; French, Métis: from Late Latin mixticius, from Latin mixtus, past participle of miscere, to mix) is a term of Spanish origin used to designate people of mixed European and indigenous non-European ancestry. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Genres

Popular music

The Paraguayan polka is a very popular genre. The main difference between the Paraguayan polka and the European polka is that the Paraguayan polka combines ternary and binary rhythms, where as the European only uses binary. However, the most famous style of music is the Guarania, created by the Paraguayan musician José Asunción Flores in 1925. The Guarania was created in order to communicate and express the character of the Paraguayan people more than the way the Paraguayan polka did. The Guarania accomplishes this by using a combination of slow rhythms and melodies of melancholia character. Other popular genres of traditional music in Paraguay are the zarzuela and the "Paraguayan Songs", which are derived from the Paraguayan polka. Paraguayan polka, also known as Danza Paraguaya (Paraguayan dance), is a style of music created in Paraguay in the 19th century. ... Street musicians in Prague playing a polka Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music. ... Guarania is a style of music created in Paraguay by musician José Asunción Flores in 1925 with the purpose of expressing the character of the Paraguayan people. ... José Asunción Flores (born August 27, 1904 – May 16, 1972) was a Paraguayan composer and creator of the Guarania music genre. ... Melancholia (Greek μελανχολια) is a mood of non-specific depression. ... Zarzuela (IPA /θarθwela/ in Spain, /sarswela/ in the New World), also called sarswela in the Philippines, is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating dances. ...

Paraguayan rock

Several world-popular genres of music, such as rock are fairly new in the Paraguayan music scene. This is because of the fierce dictatorship enforced by former President Alfredo Stroessner during his mandate from 1954 to 1989, in which he banned all forms of liberal expressions. Despite that, a few rock groups were formed in the 1970's such as the Aftermars and The Blue Caps. It wasn't until Stroessner's downfall in 1989 that rock groups emerged. In the 1990's groups such as Gaudí, Enemigos de la Klase, Gaia, Deliverans, Turkish Blend and Slow Agony became popular. In the new millenium, Paraguayan rock bands have gained a strong following thanks to the big rock festivals such as "Pilsen Rock" and "Quilmes Rock", which gather around 60,000 spectators for every edition. The bands have even gathered some international success by touring throughout Latin America and even making small gigs in the United States. The most popular rock bands as of now are Flou, Revolber, Ripe Banana Skins, Area 69, Paiko,Orchablex and Nod. Rock is a form of popular music from the mid 20th century which typically features a vocal melody (often with vocal harmony) that is supported by accompaniment of electric guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, often with a strong back beat. ... A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. ... Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda, whos name is also spelled Stroessner, Strössner or Strößner, (November 3, 1912, Encarnación - August 16, 2006, Brasilia) served as President of Paraguay from 1954 to 1989. ... Slow Agony is a death metal band from Paraguay, their guitar riffs and heavy sound show some Thrash characteristics. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Look up Gig in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Gig may be: A slang term for a musical engagement A contraction for gigabyte An archaic term for a type of light carriage A type of spear A similarly designed type of fishing tackle A contraction for Captains Gig, a type... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Revolber is an alternative rock/rap metal/funk metal band from Paraguay, created in 1999. ... Ripe Banana Skins (also known as RBS) is a Ska punk band from Asunción, Paraguay. ...

Instruments

The Spanish guitar and European harp are among the most popular instruments, while dances include the lively polka and distinctive bottle dance, which involves the performer twirling a bottle around his head. Composer and guitarist Agustín Barrios is perhaps the country's best known export. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The harp is a stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. ... Street musicians in Prague playing a polka Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music. ... Augstin Barrios Agustín Pío Barrios (also known as Agustín Barrios Mangoré) (born May 5, 1885 in San Juan Bautista de las Missiones, Paraguay; died August 7, 1944) was a Paraguayan guitarist and composer. ...

Paraguayan harp

The Paraguyan harp deserves special mention as a popular instrument with a national style associated with it. The harp in South America dates back to at least 1557, possibly as early as the beginning of the 16h century. These harps had 26 to 38 strings, though most typically no fewer than 36. It was frequently used in church music in place of the organ or harpsichord. The Paraguayan harp is a simplified variation of the instrument, with 38 strings turned to one major diatonic scale. Events Spain is effectively bankrupt. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... This article or section should be merged with Pipe organ The Casavant pipe organ at Notre-Dame de Montréal Basilica, Montreal The organ is a type of keyboard musical instrument, distinctive because the sound is not produced by a percussion action, as on a piano or celesta, or by... Harpsichord in Flemish style; for more info, click the image. ...

References

• Paraguay Global Website
• Música Paraguaya

External links

• Paraguayan music information website
• FeelMP3 - Legal MP3 Downloads of Paraguayan Music