Tito Puente's Song A Dorian
The song, written by Tito Puente, is constructed from various instrumental sections, and the single 8 bar chorus is used twice during the song’s duration. Oye Como Va is a modal tune in the A Dorian mode. Two chords, Am7 and D9, – which form a i – IV progression in A Dorian – provide most of the tune’s harmonic colour. The chords are generally performed as a two bar organ riff, although it is also played by the guitar. This crescendo is a good example of creating a slightly different chord progression by keeping the same notes in the ‘melody’ instruments and changing the bass line.
After the organ solo, a ‘breakdown’ leads to the chorus (2:59 – 3:14) which then leads through a crescendo using a D dominant seventh chord (3:14 – 3:21) to the
second guitar solo, beginning at 3:21.
After the organ solo, a ‘breakdown’ leads to the chorus (2:59 – 3:14) which then leads through a crescendo using a D dominant seventh chord (3:14 – 3:21) to the
second guitar solo, beginning at 3:21.