What rhythmic technique is prominently featured in Cuban Salsa?

In Cuban Salsa, the use of ostinato is a fundamental rhythmic technique. An ostinato is a repeated musical phrase or rhythm that serves as a foundation for improvisation or variation in a composition. In the context of Cuban Salsa, ostinato patterns are often found in various instrumental parts, particularly within the percussion instruments. These repeating rhythmic figures create a groove that is essential for the danceable quality of Salsa music, allowing for an engaging and lively atmosphere.

The function of ostinato in Cuban Salsa not only provides a steady rhythmic backdrop but also allows other musicians, especially soloists, to build upon it, adding layers of complexity and texture to the music. This technique contributes significantly to the infectious energy characteristic of Salsa, making it a vital element in its rhythmic framework.

While syncopation, polyrhythm, and sequential harmony are also important concepts in various music styles, they do not capture the distinct and repetitive quality of the ostinato as prominently as found in Cuban Salsa. Syncopation involves the placement of rhythmic accents in unexpected places, polyrhythm involves two or more contrasting rhythms played simultaneously, and sequential harmony refers to the repetition of a musical idea at different pitch levels. While all these elements may appear in broader Latin