Flamenco dance: its origin, characteristics of the dance and where it is danced. Do you like to dance? I love it. 😁 Today you are going to learn a lot of things about the most famous Spanish dance: flamenco. Hey! 💃 Origin of flamenco dance We all know what country it is from.
Do you like to dance?
I love it. 😁
Today you are going to learn a lot of things about the most famous Spanish dance: flamenco
Hey! 💃
We all know what country flamenco dance is from.
It's clear, isn't it?
From Spain, of course. 😃
But where does flamenco dance come from exactly?
The flamenco was born in Andalusia in the 18th century.
There are theories that claim that denomination comes from Arabic: 'Fellah min gueir ard', What does 'landless peasant.
Flamenco emerged as a fusion of dance and musical styles from many cultures. It has African, Andalusian, Jewish, Caribbean influences and mainly gypsy flamenco dance.
In its origins, the people who sang and danced it came from humble or poor social groups, and they used this art to express their emotions.
For this reason, most of the lyrics even today are still very dramatic.
However, in almost all of his compositions there is a hopeful ending that alleviates the painful feeling.
Along with flamenco there are others traditional dances in Spain that in this article we tell you.
What is flamenco dance?
To answer this question it is necessary talk about flamenco in general.
In its beginnings, flamenco was only singing.
Little by little they incorporated the dance, highly influenced by African rhythms.
Finally he introduced the music.
The instruments most popular are thestring guitar and the castanets.
Although a very important part of his music is created with his hands using the palms or with the feet through the heels of flamenco dancing.
Since its birth in the 18th century until today, flamenco has spread throughout Spain and little by little to other countries.
Nowadays it is known all over the world and practically almost every country has a flamenco dance school.
In fact, flamenco was recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
What is this due to? great success?
It is probably because flamenco is one of the most passionate musical styles that exist.
Flamenco dances and songs are about feelings like love, heartbreak, bitterness, sadness, joy or despair; always with a emotional burden very intense.
Nowadays, flamenco has become a very versatile genre, capable of merge with other styles totally different like rock, pop or even rap.
Due to these fusions, there are currently very interesting flamenco dance songs.
Have you never seen a flamenco show?
Well, you already have a plan for next weekend!
I assure you that you will leave with emotions through the roof. 😉
Let's go with some curiosities about flamenco, which I know you like.
Did you know that the singing Is it usually done individually and sitting?
In addition, its style is the same for men and women.
The musical accompaniment of dancing or singing is called the touch, and as I mentioned before, the main instrument is the guitar.
Sometimes there are long guitar solos, without singing and without dancing. The string guitar is the Spanish instrument par excellence.
It's called for a reason spanish guitar, right?
One of the most iconic guitarists of Spanish flamenco was Paco de Lucia.
In our school, Hispania, Spanish school; Every day to start classes, we play one of his most famous works: 'Between two waters.
Thus, our students, in addition to learning in our spanish courses You can also listen to one of the best Spanish musical gems.
It's a two for one! 😁
Do you want to know who are the best flamenco dance artists?
There have been many: Sara Baras, Joaquín Cortés, La Lupi, Antonio Canales...
I leave you a video of the impressive Joaquin Cortes, one of my dancers preferred and most avant-garde.
In addition to what was mentioned before, another of the curiosities that most attracts the viewer of this art is the flamenco dance clothing.
The women they carry the flamenco dress. There are many models, but the most common consists of a long dress and fitted to the ankles.
Women's flamenco dance sleeves and skirts are decorated with ruffles.
The colors they usually are alive, like red.
The design can be plain, with prints or polka dots.
The typical complement is a manila shawl above the shoulders, flowers in her hair, big earrings and high-heeled shoes.
Some also decorate their movements with flamenco dance fans.
The flamenco dresses They are really spectacular, they give a strong presence to every woman who wears them.
The men They also wear their flamenco costume. It's called flamenco short dress.
It is characterized by carrying a white shirt, a pair of white cuffed pants, sometimes a short jacket, boots tall cowgirls and chaps.
And it is also usually accompanied by a wide brim hat.
originally it was a country suit designed to work with livestock.
This is the traditional costume. Nowadays many flamenco artists wear modern suits with a shirt and tie. The most typical colors are black or white.
After reading all this, do you feel like signing up for classes at a flamenco dance academy?
I'm sure the suit would look great on you! 😊
What are the characteristics of the flamenco dance?
I'll tell you:
Men usually do stronger and more aggressive dances, using especially the heels of the feet with professional flamenco dance shoes.
While women move your body and arms more, sometimes making more sensual movements.
The zapateado It is the essence of flamenco dance.The dancer or the dancer they dance and also they become musicians with the slap of his shoes against the floor.
Each part of the shoe creates a different sound depending on how it is hit. the sole, the toe or the heel.
The dancers They master the body posture, rhythms and speed required for flamenco.
They interpret the feelings of the singer or singer (people who sing).
The dancers adapt their body movements, arm movements and foot tapping to the singing.
They can mix gentle movements with more intense ones of strong footsteps and turns.
They do not follow strict step patterns, but they merge with the feelings that the singers transmit.
In this sense, flamenco can have a lot of improvisation, and the same song will hardly be performed the same way twice.
Normally there is only one dancer or dancer, although sometimes there are two.
In this situation, the show becomes even more emotional.
There are many types of flamenco dance. These styles are called palos.
There are more than 50 suits.
Do you want to know them all?
I'm sorry, but if I told you about all the genres of flamenco the article would be so long that you would need a whole day to read it. 😂
What do you think if I give you a summary of the seven flamenco sticks most popular?
Thus, when you finish reading this article, you will have a general idea of how flamenco is danced in its different styles.
Let's see them!
The soleás They are usually executed by dancers soloists. The first woman to perform a soleá was Maria La Andonda.
This style allows the dancer It can be shown off with all types of movements. His attitude is very expressive and serious at the same time.
The time it usually is slow and solemn.
Within the soleá there are other subgenres: the soleá de Triana, the soleá de Cádiz, the soleá de Jerez, and many more.
The bulerías are characterized by a vibrant, happy and festive style. They are very popular in Andalusian cities such as Jerez de la Frontera, Utrera and Cádiz.
His compasses 12 stroke they make her one of the flamenco dances more complicated to execute.
To transmit that fun and party rhythm, the artists must be versatile and good at improvisation.
The bulerías are common at the end of the flamenco festival, where the members gather in semicircles and leave one by one, dancing, cheering and touching palms.
In the next video you can see a example of bulería in a flamenco dance choreography.
What do you think this flamenco dance is like? Sad or happy?
I think it's pretty obvious, right? 😃
Its own name indicates it. The joys they have a fast paced and party in which dance has a fundamental role.
Like bulerías, alejaras can never be missing from a party.
One of the most distinctive elements is its beginning, with its particular song thyrititran.
It is alsothey dance in 12 tempos like in bulerías, but even faster.
Dancing flamenco with the alegrías is extremely fun.
The seguiriyas they form one of the most dramatic, serious and sentimental.
It is also one of the most ancient flamenco.
They are usually accompanied by a funeral song.
The main themes are suffering in human relationships, fear of death and painful loves.
Unlike the previous ones, the dancers They barely have any ornamentation. on his clothes.
Some popular seguiriyas are Colorao bottle or the Girl with the combs.
If I tell you the word tangoWhat is the first thing that comes to your mind?
The popular Argentine dance, right?
Well, the truth is that it is not very well known whether tango comes from South America or Andalusia.
There are theories that claim that it was born in Cádiz and Seville and then spread throughout the South American continent.
Other theories argue that it was created in Cuba and then traveled to Spain, Europe and America.
The truth is that tango is one of the most ancient flamenco.
In general, it is a happy and lively dance.
Some of the pioneering artists in this style were El Mellizo, Pastora Pavón, El Titi or The Repomp.
The farruca It is one of the most popular suits recent of flamenco. It began to become popular already into the 20th century.
One of the most curious facts about this style is that there are sources that They link their origin with the northern areas of Spain likeAsturias and Galicia.
In dance, it is common to raise the arms and have strong control of the marks with tranquility and elegance.
In this dance, zapateado is essential. For this reason, it is usually performed by more men than women.
The Faic He was the pioneer in farrucas.
Let's go with the last stick.
Are you liking it?
I'm already thinking about buying my short flamenco dress and signing up for a school. 😁
The Sevillians They are probably the best-known flamenco style.
In fact, it could be considered one of the most popular folk dances in all of Spain.
Perhaps the key to their success is that the Sevillians have many flamenco songs to sing. dance in pairs.
And, of course, their happy and festive nature helps.
Do you know where sevillanas are danced the most?
Come on, it's too easy.
In Seville, of course!
If you go to the Seville fair In April, you will find a lot of flamenco music to dance to, especially the Sevillanas.
So tell me:
After seeing the different types of flamenco dances, do you want to continue researching and learning more about this magnificent art?
If so, you are in luck.
In Seville there is a Flamenco Museum where you can learn a lot of things related to it.
The Seville Flamenco Dance Museum It is the only museum in the world about this dance.
For that alone it must be worth visiting, right?
The museum is located in the center of Seville. In its different rooms you can:
As I mentioned before, flamenco originated in Andalusia. At first they danced in patios small and closed.
Starting in the 19th century, flamenco began to be danced in the theaters and dance halls.
Later they created the singing cafes where only flamenco was sung and danced.
These cafes persist today, but under the name tablaos.
The tablaos They are the current singing cafés. They are places where only flamenco is done.
Everything is set to immerse you in this art.
The platform where the artists perform is from wood for dancing flamenco, so the sound of the tapping is better.
The tablaosthey tend to be small spaces and intimate, in which every detail is taken care of so that the show is satisfactory, from the acoustics until the lighting.
If you are in Valencia and you want to see a good flamenco show, there are some tablaos What you can visit:
If, in addition to watching flamenco shows, you want learn Spanish in Valencia; stop by our school:Hispania, Spanish school.
In addition to teaching Spanish, we also give our students the opportunity to try some of our most popular sports and dances.
You can see them in the next video.
Of course, flamenco couldn't be missing. 😉
Article written by Charles Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school
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