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A form of music and dance of the Caribbean,
calypso had its primary development in Trinidad, where it
is associated particularly with the pre-lenten carnival. Before
the carnival begins musicians try out their songs nightly
before audiences in Port of Spain. The most popular are used
during the carnival.
The words of calypso songs are witty and humorous and convey
popular attitudes on social, political, or economic problems.
The music is set in duple metre (2 beats to the bar) and is
based on about 50 standard calypso melodies. For the form
of carnival street dance called "jump dancing,"
rhythms are provided most often by STEEL BAND percussion instruments,
made from the tops of oil drums. As a type of ballroom dance,
calypso resembles the rumba, and the music often is performed
with conventional dance-band instruments.
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