Plena puertorriqueña
A genre of hand frame drums and voice born in Ponce in the early twentieth century, known as the sung newspaper because it told neighborhood news. It uses three sizes of pandereta and easy refrains that a crowd picks up. It is the music that appears on its own at protests, street parties and sports celebrations.
Example
When three frame drums show up at a march or a party and everyone sings the refrain, that is plena.
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Related terms
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Pandereta de plena
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Frequently asked questions
How is it different from bomba?
Bomba runs on barrel drums and the dancer leads. Plena runs on frame drums, is more melodic and tells a story.
Where is it easiest to hear?
At street parties, town patron festivals and in January during the San Sebastián Street Festival.
