A song genre of Puerto Rico. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, with a binary form consisting of solo or duet melodies followed by choral refrains. Narrative texts, often humorous, contain social commentary. The plena is characterized by extensive syncopation, while the use of triplet figures in vocal lines creates rhythmic contrast with the duple metre accompaniment of guitars, panderetas (tambourines) and conga drums and, more recently, orchestras with extended percussion sections.
WILLIAM GRADANTE/R