The music of the Dominican Republic is diverse in terms of Latin and African rhythms, but is best known because it is considered as the nation of Merengue.

The indigenous music of the times is negligible or nonexistent, but in Dominican schools is taught children to dance dances of important historical times such as ‘Yuca” the “carabine:, the “dance of the Trenza”, the mangulina, among others.

In short, while you are in the Dominican Republic will hear anywhere that music touches the rhythm of a good Merengue and Bachata in bars, nightclubs and restaurants and even people in their vehicles. Many say that the Dominican music is part of the idiosyncrasy of the Dominican; it is a basis of why Dominicans are always happy and content at any time.

Merengue

The Merengue is played based on instruments that have been in Dominican history for decades as the “guira”, tambour and accordion. Then they were implementing other instruments to compose Merengue as the saxophone, trumpet, piano, guitar and bass.

It has now started a new genre called Urban Merengue or Merengue street as they say. These compositions are very playful, funny and with a style very different from traditional and ballroom Merengue.

The Merengue is the dance music par excellence in the country. Merengue artists are classified by ages and styles, but are famous and good par excellence: Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas, Sergio Vargas, Fernando Villalona, Eddy Herrera, among others.

Bachata

The genre of Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic and took their roots from bolero. The basic instrument to play Bachata is the guitar. In the beginning of the 90s musician used the acoustic guitar to play Bachata, but now they also used the electric guitar.

The Bachata is primarily Dominican and is pleased to many by the romance of the songwriting. The recording artists that have been around since the beginning of this genre are Luis Vargas and Antony Santos. Bachata in its evolution is well known internationally for the work of Aventura and their album "Obsession" and other groups like Raulin Rodriguez, Zacarias Ferreira, Monchy, Alexandra.

Salsa

Dominicans are great Salsa dancers since ancient times as the older generations know how to dance the Son, too. Although Dominicans are not famous orchestras to play Salsa, many Merengue Musicians have some Salsa in their discography. But in the history of Salsa, an artist put on high the name of the Dominican Republic is the known Cuco Valoy and his "Juliana".