Pregón - element

  • Who sings it Lead vocalist
  • Purpose improvised response, commentary, storytelling
  • Characteristics Free, spontaneous, conversational

The pregón are the varying or improvised lines the lead singer sings between the coros.

  • Can textually respond to the coro, add stories, or address the audience.
  • Often rhythmically freer and melodically looser.

Example in timba

Coro: “No me pare, sigue sigue”

Pregón: “¡Así mismo, mi gente, vamos pa’lante!”

In timba these lines are usually called guías (literally "guides"): the singer guides the band and the audience through the montuno.

Function

  • Interact with the coro (call-and-response).
  • Drive intensity and energy.
  • Engage with bloques and the rhythm section.
  • Add storytelling, humor, or playful "battles" with the coro.