Latin Jazz Rhythms

Latin jazz is the general term given to music that combines rhythms from African and Latin American countries with jazz and classical harmonies from Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and United States.

The two main categories of Latin Jazz are Brazilian and Afro-Cuban.

* Brazilian Latin Jazz includes bossa nova
* Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz includes salsa, merengue, songo, son, mambo etc.




Latin Jazz Rhythms
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The whole study is based around a minor II-V-I in C, presenting five different rhythms examples that can be used and adapted to other songs too, composed in this style.

Dm7/b5 - G7/#5 - Cm7 - Cm7


Theory Focus
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All the chords are diatonic to the C minor tonality, and if you are wondering where that V7 G7#5 comes from, don't worry, no Jazz Rocket science here, it's simply borrowed from the Harmonic Minor Scale.


Techniques Focus
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Played mainly fingerstyle, all the examples can be played with flat pick too.



Pro Tips
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Memorize each of this examples and try to apply them live when jamming, to internalize it and come with your own.


See You Next Lesson!

Joe Kataldo