Argentina is home to a variety of musical styles and traditions, many of which are the result of a blending of indigenous and immigrant cultures. European-influenced music of Argentina includes church musical traditions from Spain and Italy. Some indigenous groups believed that music was a means of communicating with the supernatural and hence were open to learning new ways of making music. Many European catholic musicians taught indigenous peoples to play and even make European musical instruments.

Folk Music of Argentina

There are two main kinds of folk music heard almost everywhere in Argentina. One is music that comes from several original indigenous cultures, the other is creole music of the Spanish colonists. European dances, popular songs, religious music, instruments, and carnivals and festivals were brought to Argentina by immigrants, and have evolved into the creole music of today.

Argentina is divided into different areas based on its geography and climate. Each of these regions has cultural characteristics of its own. The southern region of Patagonia undisturbed by visitors or colonists over the centuries still retains much of its indigenous folk music. The northwest province of JujuyIn and surrounding areas has its music and traditions including some characteristics of the Incas, greatly influenced by visitors from the neighboring countries of Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay and Chile. In the central region around Córdoba, the original traditional music has largely disappeared due to cuarteto, a style of dance music that has become quite popular and a successful part of the recording industry in Argentina. In the plains area called La Pampa, the dances are lively, but the songs are often introspective and quiet. In the northeastern part of Argentina, the indigenous peoples have accepted European dances such as the mazurka, polka, waltz and schottische.

Tango

The Tango is Argentina's cultural contribution to the world. This intense couples’ dance has come to represent the essence of Latin style. The music emphasizes themes of desire, loneliness, passion, despair, and jealousy. The instruments would include an accordion, guitar, violin, piano, and string bass. The tango was originally a popular dance style among poor and lower middle class people of Buenos Aires, early in the twentieth century. By 1913, the tango had become an international phenomenon in Paris, London and New York. The Argentine elite who had shunned the tango were now forced into accepting it with national pride. It took several years for tango to become socially acceptable in Argentina.

Caribbean styles of music and dance also became very popular in Argentina. Salsa is a tropical dance music styles that is popular in Argentine urban dance halls. Rock music from Great Britain and the United States has been popular in Argentina, as well. A new wave of Argentine rock music was an attempt to make Argentine rock distinct from British and American rock.

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