[TANGO-L] Bordoneo y 900

[Charles Roques <Crrtango @AOL.COM>]

Greetings,

I'm not sure of the reference to 900, but "Bordoneo" is probably referring to
the predominance of left hand bass notes played by the tango pianists or it's
overall sound and quality. There are numerous tangos that poeticize the
different sounds of the various instruments. Early in tango music there were no
pianos in the groups, only guitarists. The steady rhythmic sound that was popular
in the early tangos and is played on the lower or bass strings of the guitar
is called the "bordona." When the piano began to replace the guitar in the
groups and many of the guitarists had to switch over and learn the piano
(basically in order to survive as a musician) they essentially transposed the guitar
technique they were accustomed to of playing the lower or bass strings for
rhythm (which you can hear in Gardel recordings with guitar accompaniment for ex.)
to the left hand of the piano which plays the bass notes. This recreated a
similar sound (sometimes referred to as a "mano pesada" - heavy left hand) as t
he guitar and created a style which continues to be the dominant style for the
piano as opposed to using the treble keys, in effect imitating the staccato
strumming guitar sound on the piano. It even has a name - "estilo bordonero."
Next time you listen to Pugliese, listen to the strong steady left hand beat and
you will hear much of the same rhythmic sound that you hear on early Gardel
recordings with guitar, for example his version of Duelo Criollo. In fact you
still hear this sound in the playing of guitarists like Pancho Navarro here in
NYC.

Another different but significant change happened when the flute was replaced
by the bandoneon. The music changed from light hearted and upbeat to solemn
and melancholy bacause the bandoneon had a lower range. When you hear retro
groups like Tubatango, the music has a totally different character with the flute.

Cheers,
Charles