Típico grew out of the towns and farms of the central provinces of Panama, especially Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Coclé. People played it at parties, weddings, and the big country fairs called 'ferias'. Today, you can hear it everywhere from village festivals to radio stations in Panama City.
The accordion is the boss of the band. The player has buttons on one side and keys on the other, and they squeeze the bellows in and out to make sound. A great típico accordionist can play very fast indeed - their fingers blur over the buttons.
Típico songs are often about real life - working in the fields, falling in love, missing home. The singer (usually a man) holds long notes at the end of each verse. Audiences love to clap and dance along, especially in pairs.
Some of the most famous típico musicians become household names across Panama. Bands tour from town to town, especially during festival season. If you grow up in Panama, there is a good chance you have danced to típico at a family party before you even started school.