Edith Piaf made this song famous and it's one of her biggies. They get a huge sound using only a few guitars and one rhythm drum. Note the beautiful background melody line behind the lead guitar.

I listen to this a lot.

Get into your on-board sequencer and play the parts you cannot one at a time, and then play along to the sequence, job done.

Alternative is to create your own style for the tune and use this. (If you have a style/chord/pre-set sequencer you can also use this with your style to free up your left hand)

Bill

ditto!

Hi Mark, here’s the version that you’ll hear most Latinos getting down to. It’s a cumbia, the most popular version is by “ La Sonora Dinamita”. Either way, it’s very playable with auto accompaniment.

https://youtu.be/mFkUOIfKgwI

Mark, I fell I understand your question – only because I’ve been there. When La Bamba and Quando, Quando, came out I could play the notes, and the chords, and the Kn7000 offered a great style, and I played without error.

After two years of my best effort, this is what I learned.

1-Enjoy Latin music, but you will never do it well.

2-I can improvise fairly well, but Latin impro was different.

3-Music and feel, go together. Latino music is ALL ABOUT FEEL. The singers are players are moving before the music starts. They are feeling what they are going to play – it’s a matter of hitting the first note, and out it comes out – and I love it.

Mark, keep trying, you'll do a better job then I ever did. You have good command of your keyboard.

Just my thoughts, John C.

Hope this helps.

https://musescore.com/user/4735591/scores/1924846

Jerryghr

Being born into a culture will most likely help one interpret and perform the music of that culture but to say that no one else can "do it well" is not only patronizing but also untrue. There are just to many examples to the contrary to substantiate that theory. Do most Latin musicians play Latin music better than their non-Latin counterparts? I'm guessing ABSOLUTELY, but that doesn't mean that someone else that is dedicated to learning and performing this type of music still "can never do it well". JMO.

chas

You can definitely do something similar on an arranger or sequencer.

Hi Mark,
I think if anyone would know if it’s possible to do with a style, it would be Manuel “mdorantes”.

He creates genuine Latin styles and expansion packs for Yamaha keyboards (May have done for Korg also).


These are the sort of packs you can buy for Yamaha, whether there would be something even vaguely suitable, I wouldn’t know.
https://www.yamahamusicsoft.com/sound-and-expansion-libraries/vse?p=2

Also be worth checking out if there are Latin expansion for korgs.


Not the type of styles I Would normally use, I’m into ballroom Latin. Haha

Yes, a style might work, but if you want a rendition to detail of the original song (maybe with a few of your own tweeks) I think you need to do sequencing OR use a MIDI file to play along with..IMHO.

Interesting..

I tried playing the guitar part live on rolamd super natural guitars
Sadly the results where laughable...
Despite me getting better with the super natural guitars on Roland every day..

As people said, everyone thatbloves music, must have a soft spot for latino music

Thanks Paul. Listened and downloaded it but I still like the above one better. This group is made for this song. It fits them like a hand in a glove.

I'm guessing this is turning into a classic similar to "You're My Everything" (Eres Todo en Mi)

Really well thought out and notated. You're absolutely right about everything you wrote. Especially #1. Most people will not know, but if you're dancing to that stuff...you'll know!

Thanks Jerry....did it ever. I have a few versions of the song but bits and pieces, violin version, etc. This is the first legit version in a comfortable key.

I did a "workaround" to get that song sheet, rather than join the club.

Chas...it's not patronizing because it's true. I play "world" music, jigs and reels from Ireland, polkas from Poland, Yiddish music, and....a lot of Latin music. I play them all "technically well" but listen to me do an Irish reel and then listen to an Irishman. It will be like night and day.

That's not to say you can't eventually master the music, but John is correct, you need to live, breathe...grow up with the music to make it sound authentic. Trust me, I played in Ireland...I know!

I think what I was trying to say when I said I wish I could play the tune on an arranger, was..."on an arranger" but sound like THEY do. The vocal harmony, the little nuances in the guitar playing, the strumming, etc.

I love Latin music: merengue, salsa, cumbia, bachata, etc (and Spanish music from Spain, Argentine tango, etc.) I think that is Latin America's greatest export to the United States. Their music! You can't help but feel happy when you hear it. And most of it is done with just a few chords and a lot of imagination.

In these times of Corona blues, this kind of music really cheers me up and makes me feel alive.

How many of you knew of the song La Foule before I mentioned it?

Chas, since the word well is at question, I would like to share my story.

Mike Allessi, a fantastic Tenor sax player, a friend for close to 65 years. He was the best Tenor man that I knew personality.

He lived in the western part of Long Island, N.Y. – In the town he lived there was a Latino Club, it accommodated about 90 people. Their rule, and it was placed above the entrance was; “Latinos Only”. If you were not a Latino, you had a problem. Well Mike Alessi, who was not a Latino, had the courage to walk in the front door. He was greeted by three men who asked what he wanted. He said, “I want to play my Tenor sax with you”.

They questionably led him to the band stand. The music started, then they gave him a chance to play. The response was fantastic, they were all over him like he was a lost relative. Two months past, he asked them if he could bring me to the club, they said yes. I visited the club very Wednesday night for the next few months; I received a Latino education.

Let me add my Cuban son-in-law who played guitar and sang. I invited him to perform with my band on special occasions. His La Bamba, was good, it brought people running to the dance floor. When he turned his Latino talent to R&R, it had the same effect; people wanted to hire the band.

Chas, with this background my “WELL” and your “WELL” are not the same.

1-Enjoy Latin music, but you will never do it well. Maybe if I used the word “I” instead of “You”, it might have been understood differently.

John C.

PS, Mike Allessi is Italian, he was not a Latino. But he was one of many.
I love Big Band, the Latino Big Band is far better, more excitement, more life. IMHO

John, if I misunderstood you or mis-interpreted you, then I apologize. It's just that in my experience, when you attribute 'special powers' or special gifts to a specific group, it becomes the birthplace of stereotyping....and we know where that leads. I acknowledged that being born into a culture is probably going to give you a leg up on most aspects of that culture, but that doesn't mean to the exclusion of everyone else. Could Ray Charles sing C&W ('I can't stop loving you')? Could Joe Cocker or Janis Joplin sing the blues? Could Jimi Hendrix play Rock guitar? Appropriated? Maybe, but they still did it well. Didn't your own experience with your sax player prove my point? My own theory is, if you really like it and, more importantly, REALLY FEEL IT, you can play it.....well!

Mark gets upset when someone changes the direction of his posts so I won't say anymore about this. I just don't like the idea of someone assuming that I can 'sing and dance' just because I'm Black; and it's sort of the flip side of the same coin (for the record, I can't do either ). Take care, ol' man, I love discussing things with old musicians (ask Russ ).

chas

John, while I really like you, I have to respectfully disagree with you saying that a non Latino can never play Latin music well.

MAYBE a non Latino well not have the same flavor that a Latino has, but sometimes that can be a good thing in way. It sounds like your Italian sax buddy was well received at the Latino club, probably he added his on flavor to music, which can be refreshing. A fusion of sorts.

By the way, one of the hottest salsa bands of the 90's "La Orquetra de la Luz" was form Japan. Salsa with some Japanese flavor, really caught on big! Check them out:

John...I don't see why on Earth you had to defend your remarks. What you said is "true"...period. Personally, I'm glad you said it because it's something I never thought much about, until....you said it!

I think most of you would agree that I'm a fine French musette accordion player. But, not having grown up or spent most of my life playing that type of music, I'll never be a "natural" Musette player. It takes the pressure off of me now, whenever I DO hear "natural" musette players.

Never thought much about that until you mentioned it here. So...thanks for posting that, even though you know every post of merit and personal opinion is going to incur the wrath of Chas (...and no "smiling face").

Well Mark, what about Paul's opinion? After all he IS Latino. I certainly hope MY post doesn't infer any kind of animosity towards John; I just happen to disagree with that particular statement; as it turns out, I'm not alone in that feeling. By way of contrast, YOUR statement certainly seems to have some sinister overtones where it concerns me. Do you feel it necessary to launch an attack every time someone disagrees with you? Does it have anything to do with your PERCEPTION of my attitude towards accordions? If so, isn't that kind of ridiculous...not to mention immature. Let's agree to keep these discussions on an intellectual level and avoid the personal. I would really like the right to express my own honest opinion on forum topics without coming under personal attack from you or anyone else. I'm sure you feel the same.

chas

Yes...where it usually leads...right into Chas's lap waiting to be devoured like a "hungry lion" begging for his next meal.

Chas, have you not learned yet that music is not a science, or a mathematical formula or a profession that's to be played only in a laboratory? Have you not also learned that some remarks are not meant to be taken as Gospel for the sake of practicality and conversation? And that many of those same remarks, are not meant to launch a "scientific" conversation?

We're not talking about "can it be done (a non-ethnic type playing ethnic music)?" Or course, it can be done. Anything can be done if you want to put in the time and energy. But even then it won't happen unless you were born with the talent and the ability. And, lived the "lifestyle."

I listen to a lot of the blues...a LOT of the blues. In most cases, I can tell in an instant the difference between a seasoned Negro blues man and....anyone else. Why did the blues become successful in the South...because that's where poverty existed and was most prevalent. It spawned hundreds of real bluesmen that lived the lifestyle necessary to express emotion and sensitivity in their music.



No, Mark "gets upset" when someone changes the direction of his posts from everyday casual conversation and remarks into a feeding frenzy for someone else. Someone who uses it as fodder to build a Perry Mason-like case for the sake of being "heard" only whether his arguement holds water or not. In this case, it's always the same person....Chas.

Now, I asked you before NOT to pick apart my posts like you have a nasty habit of doing. You break the flow of conversation from other members and presto, bingo...the post goes South. There are ways to make your own case without the snide remarks. You backed off playing the "race card"....now please "back off" of interrupting my posts with your "glory-seeking" remarks. Look where YOUR input took a casual post that started out praising the beauty of the La Foule song.

I was in my glory discussing Latin music and the positive related comments that were introduced by the other members. Why didn't you leave it alone, or, better yet, start your own post and argue with yourself!

There's a difference between you and someone like Paul and John. They deliver their messages with class and polish. They are not "rough around the edges." And there is NO anger "between the lines."



Yes, lest he change "camps"



The post was about the beauty of Latin music. It was not meant as a vehicle for you to use to forward a case that has nothing to do with "the beauty of Latin music." Please note at the top of the Synthzone page. It has a link for "new topics." It was put there for a reason.



You got that one right!



If you look at my "history" in the room, I generally tend to live and let live. Until....I go under attack. Then I become like Chuck Schuemer. I don't let people "walk on me."



You got that one right too! You have no respect for people. I asked you, I don't know how many times, and in a very civil way, to stop making mockery of the accordion. And you just continued right along with the accordion remarks.



Chas, that's a coincidence because that's been my opinion of you all along.



No...let's agree to keep these topics on course. I was really enjoying the variety of comments that were being introduced here until you made sure
the flow came to an abrupt halt.



You mean like your own personal attack on what John wrote?

Now please....consider other members when they post something. It's not YOUR job to jeopardize the post!

Well Mark, you didn't answer my question about Paul's opinion, which essentially mirrowed mine. Both were a response to JOHN'S remark, NOT YOURS. BTW, the term 'NEGRO' is rarely used any more as it tends to harken back to a time most of us would like to forget. This is not meant in a negative way but is only for your social enlightenment; 100% of African-Americans prefer the term 'Black' or 'African-American' (note- not Afro-American). Hopefully, the terms 'Negro' and 'Colored' will be relegated to the history books. I hope you realize that calling your attention to this fact is not 'playing the race card', it's just an attempt to bring you up to date on a cultural shift that you apparently are not aware of. My intentions are good and hopefully will spare you an embarrassing moment in some future encounter. Since you play in a variety of cultural venues, I'm sure you'd want to be aware of anything that one of these groups might find offensive, right? You have a good day now.

chas

Chas....why don't you quit while you're ahead. And learn the art of integrating and interacting with people.

I was in a really good mood when I brought up La Foule and was actually surprised when I got such a great response. Thanks to YOU, this thread is now "dead."

You need to grow up and stop trying to justify everything you have to say. In my book, you may "win the battle, but lose the war!"

Find someone else to go "into battle with." Or...try spending your "battle time" practicing music instead! The last time I looked the Synthzone was about music patter.

Mark, you're the only person on this entire forum that flies into a rage and holds eternal grudges because someone made an accordion joke. Think about the implications of that.

chas

I just got some news that MAY end up to be devestating ...
I come here as an escape from all the REAL problems we all face ... ENOUGH of this bull $hit ... it all means NOTHING !!!

What's the news t.? pm if you desire to....my best

zuki, thank you for your concern ...
I think I wrote that part out of duress, but I will share in another post ...