Get ready to move to the beat of a new rhythm that’s taking the music world by storm: the Soca Parang. Blending the infectious energy of soca with the rich, soulful progressions of Parang, this modern rhythm is a true masterpiece of musical fusion. Unlike other Parang rhythms, the Soca Parang breaks the mold with its unique four-strum-per-measure structure, as shown in the diagram below.
Nevertheless, the Soca Parang rhythm requires a few silences that will enrich the rhythm that we play on the cuatro. For this reason, we will need to count in eights instead:
Your right hand will move smoothly, and the movement will always be oscillatory. The only thing you will do differently is to include silences the way this diagram shows:
So our full Soca Parang movement would be this way:
As you can see, we will be playing a total of 16 strums where our right hand will do the following:
- Strum down
- Strum up
- Silence
- Strum up
- Silence
- Strum up
- Strum down
- Silence
- Strum down
- Strum up
- Strum down
- Strum up
- Strum down
- Strum up
- Strum down
- Strum up
Be sure to do each one of these 16 strums very slowly at first and then progressively increase the speed.
How to apply it with Chords
Ready to put your newfound knowledge of Soca Parang into practice? Let’s start with a simple example that uses just three chords: G, A7, and D. To play this example we willl use the following progression: G – D – A7 – D.
This progression is a great starting point for exploring the unique sound of Soca Parang, and can be adapted and expanded upon as you become more comfortable with the rhythm.
G D A7 D
Get Ready to Groove: Listen to Baron’s ‘Sweet Man’ and Experience the Magic of Soca Parang Rhythm
Baron’s hit song ‘Sweet Man’ is catchy tune is the perfect introduction to the unique sound and feel of Soca Parang, with its infectious rhythm and soulful progressions.
As you listen, pay close attention to how the rhythm flows and evolves and how the chords blend to create a truly unforgettable musical experience. So sit back, relax, take your instrument and let the magic of Soca Parang wash over you as you play ‘Sweet Man’ by Baron along.
