Beyond Salsa for Beginners - book

Beyond Salsa for Beginners:

The Cuban timba"> Timba Revolution: An Introduction to Latin Music for Dancers and Listeners

🎶 Beyond Salsa: A Listener’s Guide to Cuban and Latin Music

📘 Overview

After writing over 20 instructional books on Cuban piano, congas, drums, timbales, clave, and bass, Kevin Moore has created his first book for non-musicians — listeners, dancers, and fans of Latin music.

Beyond Salsa bridges the gap between performers and enthusiasts, offering both a historical perspective and hands-on rhythm training.

🎧 Structure of the Book

1. Listening Tours

These sections guide readers through the evolution of Cuban and Latin popular music — complete with song analysis, music history, and record-collecting advice.

The Four Listening Tours:

  1. Pre-Revolution Cuban Popular Music (1900–1959)
  2. Salsa and Post-Revolution Cuban Popular Music (1959–1989)
  3. Timba (1989–2012)
  4. Afro-Cuban Folkloric Music, Comparsa, Changüí, and Rumba

2. Rhythm Exercises

Practical chapters with singing, clapping, and dancing exercises designed to develop a deep internal sense of rhythm.

Includes:

  • The basic rhythms of each instrument
  • Clave fundamentals
  • Essential dance steps
  • Guidance on how to feel the Latin groove naturally
  • A special chapter addressing common challenges new listeners face when hearing Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms

🔊 Audio Resources

  • 🎵 Free audio download with 107 tracks corresponding to the rhythm exercises
  • 💿 Optional paid download with additional examples and practice material

📚 Extras

  • Extensive glossary of musical and cultural terms
  • Beginner’s guide to Spanish and Cuban slang in music, written for English speakers

🕺 Who It’s For

“Beyond Salsa” is the perfect companion for anyone who loves Latin music — dancers, DJs, listeners, or musicians who want to understand the groove from the inside out.