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Milonga

The Milonga was a South American style of song that was popular in the 1870s. The Milonga was derived from an earlier style of singing known as the payada de contrapunto.

The song was set to a lively 2/4 tempo, and often included musical improvisation. Over time, dance steps and other musical influences were added, eventually giving rise to the Tango, though the Milonga can also be distinguished as a dance in its own right.

Milonga is an Afro-Brazilian word that means lyrics.

See Also