Flamenco is not just the music of Southern Spain, as is generally believed. More than that, it is a way of life that influences the daily activities of many southern Spaniards. Flamenco is a combination of Moorish, Jewish, Gypsy and southern Spanish cultures which evolved in Andalusia more than 200 years ago. One does not have to be a performer of flamenco to be a flamenco: a flamenco is anyone who is emotionally and actively involved in this unique philosophy. The art of flamenco is merely the outward expression of the flamenco way of life - it incorporates attitudes, customs, beliefs, likes and dislikes and is expressed by singing, dancing, guitar playing, clapping, jaleo (rhythm accentuation) and reciting.
A few styles of flamenco dance are described below:
Sevillanas
This infectious rhythm, typical of Sevilla although extremely popular throughout all of Andalucia, was derived from the ancient seguidillas manchegas of Castile in Central Spain. This colourful dance is danced by couples, and the cante (song) is performed by men, women and children alike during Seville's annual week-long fair, considered the liveliest in Spain. It is a time when traditional dress is worn, work is ignored, and the sevillanas is danced at all hours in the streets, bars, and wherever groups congregate.
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Solea Por Bulerias
The word 'solea' is a gypsy abbreviation of "soledad" and signifies loneliness. The soleares have been described as the 'mother of the Cante'. This, of course, is a poetic allusion, more likely referring to the role that the soleares play in flamenco - there is no doubt that it is the central figure, the matriarch, around which all of the flamenco revolves - than to any belief that the soleares has given birth to flamenco. It consists of pathos and depth. The Solea Por Bulerias is danced with the intensity of Solea but at a faster tempo and culminates to a build-up with Bulerias which is extremely lively and fast.
Tangos
The Tangos, considered one of the oldest and most basic gypsy cantes (songs), have an unknown origin, but theories abound. Argentineans claim that they are a brother of the Argentine Tangos. Other theorists dissect the word 'Tangos' tracing it to Latin, or demonstrates the similarity between 'Tangos' and the names of various musical instruments. Still others find its roots in ancient songs of Nothern Spain. At their best, the Tangos can be a lively, contagious example of the spirit of the port-city of Cadiz where it is danced extensively as well as throughout Andalucia. The Tangos, like many other rhythms, has evolved and can be presented with a unique intensity.
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Farruca
The Farruca has its roots sewn in Cadiz which had an important stop-over point for ship travellers in the past. These visitors brought their songs and dances with them, many of which were adopted by the people of Cadiz, and converted into flamenco. It may be thought of as nothing more than an Asturian dance strongly influenced by the Tangos of Cadiz. The compas of the Farruca is identical to that of the Tangos, although the guitar chord structure is different, as is the accentuation and emphasis.
Guajiras
The Guajiras are a flamenco version of a Cuban rhythm of the same name. They are said to have been brought to Spain in the 16th century by Spanish soldiers returning from the conquests. Most of their verses deal with Cuba and the Cubans, usually in a light vein. Indolent and sensual, they are rhythmically similar to the other flamenco forms influenced by the new world.
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Fandangos
The Fandanguillos (Fandangos de Huelva) is thought to have descended from the jota (regional dance) of Northern Spain. Originally they are accompanied by guitars, violins, tambourines and castanets. Deep in the Huelva country, where these instruments are scarce, supplemental accompanying instruments have been developed and are still used. The Fandangos has enjoyed immense popularity during the years, much to the disgust of purists. During a span of thirty or forty years, the Fandangos and the Fandangos grandes were almost all that could be heard of flamenco. This state of affairs which was extremely harmful to the art of flamenco and thus subsided.
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Alegrias
Alegria means happiness or merriment. Developed in Cadiz, this form is derived from, and has the same compas (rhythm, beat, meter) as Soleares. Alegrias is a lively dance form.
Siguiriya
The Siguiriya is sad and serious. Central themes to this form include sorrow, cruelty of fate, setbacks and the pain of love, thus requiring an enormous amount of emotional involvement. The rhythm of the Siguiriya is also one of the most difficult among the flamenco song forms.
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