The music of Ecuador has a long history. Pasillo is a genre of indigenous Latin music. It is extremely popular in Ecuador, where it is the "national genre of music." Pasillo as a genre is also present in the highland regions of Colombia, and Panama and Venezuela, to a lesser extent.
Today, it has incorporated more European features of classical dance, such as a waltz. As it spread during the Gran Chaco period, pasillo also absorbed the individual characteristics of isolated villages. This gives it an eclectic feel; however, the style, tone, and tempo of the music differ in each village.
In its waltz, pasillo alters the classically European dance form to accompany guitar, mandolin, and other string instruments.
The pacific coast of Ecuador is known for the Amor Fino, a popular type of song, as well as a variety of dance music.
Pasillo, Pasacalle and Yarabi are popular folk songs. El pasillo is played with guitar and rondin, the latter being similar to a flute, and is usually downtempo; it is descended from the walz. El pasacalle is a form of dance music, while the sentimental el yarabi is probably the most popular form in Ecuador.
Read more about Music Of Ecuador: Central Ecuador, Andean Music (La Sierra), Musica Costeña (Music of The Coast), Folk Instruments, Music Institutions
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