Flamenco

Flamenco is a special art form that started in southern Spain. It comes from the traditions of the gitano people, who are part of the Romani ethnicity, living mainly in a region called Andalusia. Flamenco is not just one thing—it includes singing, playing the guitar, and dancing. People often clap their hands and move their feet in rhythm while performing flamenco.

Even though flamenco began as a folk tradition, it has grown into a complex and beautiful style of music and dance. It combines many elements like different rhythms, melodies, and improvisational parts. Over time, flamenco has been studied in music schools and performed in concerts, making it loved by many kinds of audiences.

The oldest known writing about flamenco is from a book written in 1774. Since then, flamenco has continued to change and grow. In 2010, a group called UNESCO recognized flamenco as an important part of the world's cultural heritage, highlighting its value and history.

Etymology

Historically, the word flamenco was used to describe the Romani people (gitanos) in Spain. A traveler named George Borrow who visited Spain in the 1830s said that people called the gitanos Flemish (which became "flamenco" in Spanish) because they mixed up German and Flemish words.

There are different ideas about where the word came from. Some think it came from old views of the Roma people as troublemakers. Others think it might be linked to Flemish singers brought to Spain long ago. The first time "flamenco" was used to talk about music was in an article from 1847. Back then, "flamenco" didn’t just mean one kind of music—it described a whole gitano-Andalusian style of performing and living.

History

Cultural origins

Flamenco comes from the folk music traditions of southern Spain, especially from the Romani people who lived in Andalusia. These travelers brought dances, songs, and instruments like bells and tambourines. When they arrived in Andalusia in the 1400s, they mixed their traditions with the local Arab-Andalusian music. This mixing created the early roots of flamenco songs and dances.

Over time, flamenco grew into its own art form in the cities and towns of southern Spain. It was shaped by local communities and Romani families who helped make it special and unique.

Casticismo

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Spain saw a rise in national pride after wars and changes in culture. During this time, flamenco became seen as a true part of Spanish identity. This helped it grow and spread, even as some people argued about how it should change or stay the same.

The cantante cafés

In 1881, the first flamenco singer café opened in Seville. These cafes brought singers together, helping flamenco grow as a professional art. Audiences learned the songs and helped shape the style, making flamenco more popular.

Flamenco colors

The colors most linked with flamenco are red, white, and gold.

Flamenca opera

From the 1920s to the 1950s, flamenco shows were held in theaters and bullrings, called "flamenco opera." This helped flamenco spread around the world. During this time, some older styles changed, but others stayed strong. Famous artists helped keep flamenco alive and growing.

Academic study

Starting in the 1950s, scholars began studying flamenco more seriously. Books and recordings helped people understand and appreciate this art form better. Contests and special programs were created to teach and protect flamenco for future generations.

Flamenco protest during the Franco regime

During a strict time in Spain’s history, some flamenco singers used their songs to speak out against unfair rules. This brave use of music helped keep spirit alive, even when it was hard to do so.

Flamenco fusion

In the 1970s, flamenco mixed with other music styles from around the world. Famous singers and guitarists brought new sounds to flamenco, making it fresh and exciting. This mixing helped flamenco reach new audiences and stay important in modern music.

New flamenco

In the 1980s and later, new artists kept changing flamenco, mixing it with pop, rock, and other styles. Today, flamenco continues to grow, with artists around the world adding their own touches while keeping its traditional heart alive.

Flamenco culture overseas

In places like New Mexico in the United States, flamenco has found a new home. Universities and communities there celebrate flamenco through performances and classes, keeping this art form thriving far from its Spanish roots.

Main Palos

Palos are different styles of flamenco music and dance. They are grouped by things like rhythm, tune, and where they come from. There are more than 50 types of palos. Some are just singing, some have dancing, and some have both. Some are usually done by men, some by women, and some by either, though these old rules are changing now.

Palos are usually split into three groups: the most serious ones are called cante jondo (or cante grande), the lighter ones are Cante Chico, and the ones that don’t fit into either are Cante Intermedio.

Alegrías

Alegrías are thought to come from a style called the Aragonese jota, which became popular in Cadiz during a war long ago. The lyrics often mention places and people from that area.

Famous singers of alegrías include Enrique el Mellizo and Chano Lobato. Alegrías have a strict dance form with parts like an entrance, a walkaround, and fast footwork. When sung without dancing, the verses can be mixed freely.

Alegrías have a rhythm of 12 beats and started in Cadiz. They are usually sung quickly, especially when dancing.

Bulerías

Bulerías are a fast flamenco style with a 12-beat rhythm. They began among the Calé Romani people in Jerez in the 1800s, often used to end other flamenco performances. Bulerías are very popular and exciting, often ending flamenco gatherings with lively dancing.

Fandangos

Granaínas

Guajiras

Malagueñas

Peteneras

Rondeñas

Rondeña comes from Ronda and the Province of Málaga in Andalusia. It is part of the group called Málaga fandangos.

Saeta

Seguiriyas

Soleares

Tangos

Tanguillos

Tarantos

Tientos

Verdiales

Music

Flamenco is a musical style from southern Spain, especially from the region of Andalusia. It has strong ties to the Romani people who live there. Flamenco music has three key parts: a special musical tone, a rhythm called compás, and the performer. These elements come together to create what is known as flamencura, making a piece of music truly flamenco.

A typical flamenco performance includes singing and guitar playing. Songs are made up of verses, with the guitar player providing short musical breaks. The guitarist also starts each piece by setting the tone, rhythm, and speed. The music often uses special scales and chords, and performers use hand claps to keep the beat. Audiences join in by clapping and sometimes even singing along, making the performance feel very lively and shared.

Forms of flamenco expression

Toque (guitar)

Flamenco guitarists have a special way of playing. Unlike classical guitarists, flamenco players often cross their legs and hold the guitar higher. They use a special type of guitar called a flamenco guitar, which is lighter and narrower than a classical guitar. It is made from cypress wood for a bright sound. Flamenco guitarists use techniques like alzapúa and picado to create exciting music.

Cante (song)

The main article: Cante flamenco

Flamenco singing, called "cante," is a powerful and emotional style of singing from Andalusia in southern Spain. The singers are called "cantaores" instead of just singers. One of the highest honors in flamenco singing is the Llave de Oro del Cante, which has been given to only a few special singers.

Baile (dance)

Flamenco dance is known for its strong feelings, proud posture, and expressive arm movements with rhythmic foot stomping. It is different from tap dance or Irish dance. In the past, the most "authentic" flamenco was danced at celebrations by the gitano (Roma) people in Spain.

There are different styles of flamenco dance. "Flamenco puro" is performed solo and is based on improvisation. "Classical flamenco" is often performed by dance companies and has a proud, upright style. Modern flamenco requires many years of practice and focuses on fast, precise footwork. Dancers may also use props like castanets, canes, shawls, and fans.

"Flamenco nuevo" is a newer style that mixes flamenco with other types of music. It is more about creating new compositions than following the traditional flamenco ways.

Traditional flamenco dance is often performed by very young or older dancers who can best show the deep feelings of the style. Unlike other dances where young performers start early, many flamenco dancers reach their best in their thirties and can perform well into their fifties. One young master of flamenco is Juan Manuel Fernandez Montoya, known as "Farruquito." At just 12 years old, he was already a talented performer.

Regulated teaching of flamenco in educational centers

In Spain, flamenco is taught in many music and dance schools across different areas. These schools help students learn the special guitar and dance styles of flamenco.

Flamenco guitar lessons started in official schools in Spain in 1988, thanks to a talented teacher from Granada. Today, there are special flamenco schools all over Spain, especially in the Andalusia area. There are also flamenco classes in other countries, like the Netherlands, where students can learn from experienced teachers.

University

In 2018, the first university master's degree in flamenco research and analysis began. Before this, there was a "Doctorate Program of Approach to Flamenco" taught by several universities including Huelva, Seville, Cádiz and Córdoba.

History

The fandango was a very popular song and dance in Spain in the 1600s. Over time, it created many local and regional versions, especially in the area of Huelva. In some places, the fandango was played with a bandola, an instrument that helped people dance. This led to many different styles like the fandangos of Lucena, the drones of Puente Genil, and early malagueñas.

As new styles like Sevillanas became popular, the fandango changed. It allowed singers to shine, leading to many new personal creations in the 1900s. Thousands of people from Andalusia moved to mining areas in Murcia, where songs like tarantos and taranta changed and evolved.

During the time of cafés cantantes, some of these songs separated from dance and got a free beat, letting performers show off their skills. Antonio Chacón was a big promoter of this change, creating wonderful versions of malagueñas, granainas, and mining songs.

The style of romance and cord sheets led to the creation of corrido. From these, came early tonás, caña, and the polo, which shared rhythms but were performed differently. The guitar gave them a beat that made them danceable. They likely started in Ronda, a city close to both high and low Andalusia, and later reached the area of Triana in Seville. There, they became known as soleá. From fun performances of corridos and soleares, groups called jaleos formed in Triana. They traveled to Extremadura and places like Jerez and Utrera, leading to the creation of bulería, which then spread across low Andalusia with many local variations.

Lexicon

The word "ole" is a special shout used to encourage flamenco singers and dancers. Some believe it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to throw upwards". In Andalusia, another word used is "arza", which means "rise".

A special feeling in flamenco is called "duende". It is a mysterious charm that makes a performance very special. The famous writer Federico García Lorca described it as a power that everyone feels but no one can explain fully. When a flamenco artist has duende, their performance feels very deep and powerful.

Each type of flamenco song, called a "palo", has its own special words and expressions. Recent studies have shown that these words can help tell different palos apart. For example, alegrías often talk about happy themes from Cádiz, while seguiriyas express deep feelings using words from the Romani language. Bulerías cover many topics and connect different types of flamenco songs.