Saya (music)

The Saya is a dance from the Andean countries . It originated in the 19th century in the milieu of black slaves.

The rhythm of the Saya is fast and characterized by a continuous, lively drum rhythm. The time signature is a mixture of a normal 4/4 time and a 12/8 time, which gives the music a special kind of funkyness. The dance is still very popular, especially among the youth of the Andean region, and is also played in discos .

Other instruments that are often involved in the Saya are: guitar , charango , sicus (panpipe) and quena .

Saya rhythm scheme

Takt:            1     *     2     *
Basstrommel:     x   x   -   -   -   -    
Hohe Trommel:    -   -   -   x   x   -
Rassel:          x     x  x  x     x  x
                 1 2 3 4 5+6 1 2 3 4 5+6