Musically, the Dominican Republic is known for the world popular musical style and genre called ''merengue'', a type of lively, fast-paced rhythm and dance music consisting of a tempo of about 120 to 160 beats per minute (though it varies) based on musical elements like drums, brass, chorded instruments, and accordion, as well as some elements unique to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, such as the ''tambora'' and ''güira''.