In-depth Study Notes on Flamenco

Revision Partial

  • Overview of flamenco and its music

Flamenco Art Forms

  • Components:
    • Guitarra (guitar)
    • Toque (playing)
    • Baile (dance)
    • Cante (singing)

Definition of Flamenco

  • A repertoire of musical forms primarily centered on singing.
  • Dance and guitar playing are based on the singing.

Characteristics of Flamenco Styles (Palos)

  • Different styles distinguished by:
    • Melody
    • Rhythm
    • Accentuation of rhythm
    • Tempo/Speed
    • Tonality
    • Emotional state or mood

Origins of Flamenco Lyrics

  • Sources of poetry and lyrics include:
    • Romances (narrative poems)
    • Folkloric songs
    • Classical poetry
    • Vendors' cries
  • Melodies and rhythms derived from:
    • Folkloric music
    • Andalusian music (from the era of the Moors)
    • African music (from African slaves)

Geographical Context

  • Lower Andalusia (Baja Andalucía)
    • Provinces of Cádiz and Sevilla
    • Valley of the Guadalquivir River

The Flamenco Triangle

  • Triángulo Flamenco:
    • Rojo: Area of singing
    • Negro: Area of dances

Minorities under the Catholic Monarchs (since 1492)

  • Included:
    • Moriscos
    • Blacks
    • Gitanos (Roma)
    • Jews

The Roma People

  • Terms: Rom, Roma, Rrom, Rroma are politically correct internationally.
  • Primarily found in Europe and the Americas.
  • Originated from northern India, migrating in the 11th century.
  • Over half are settled in Andalusia, especially in Cádiz and Sevilla.

Cultural Influence of the Gitanos

  • The Roma culture has been a part of Spanish culture for over 500 years, interacting mutually.
  • Flamenco is a result of vernacular learning from intangible heritage, transmitted mainly through familial and community relationships.
  • Laws against Roma culture have been numerous, affecting their cultural transmission and history.

Economic Role of Gitanos

  • Post Morisco expulsion, Gitanos took over economic activities left by them.
  • There was demand for traditional trades.

Influence of African Dances

  • Several traditional dances from Africans were adopted and modified by Gitanos:
    • Zarambeque
    • Zumbé
    • Zambapalo
    • Paracumbé
    • Cumbé
    • Gayumba
    • Mandingoy
    • Dengue

Pre-Flamenco Content (Before the 19th Century)

  • Trace fragments of rhythms, poetry, melodies from:
    • Medieval romances
    • Folklore songs and dances (Fandangos, Seguidillas)
    • African dances
    • Moorish traditions
    • Impact from Gitanos

European Influence on Flamenco

  • Late 18th to early 19th century European cultural influence:
    • Ballet, opera, and theater
    • Italian and French ballet companies introduced vocabulary and styles.

Theatrical Dance - "Escuela Bolera"

  • Folk dances were performed with ballet influence:
    • Folklorics (e.g., Seguidillas, Fandango)
    • Performed by professionals during light operas.
    • Features:
    • Castanets
    • Typical Spanish dance steps
    • No tap dancing
    • Ballet-like arm movements (Brazeo)

Social Dance Events (1830s-1840s)

  • Bailes de Candil:
    • Attracted many spectators, including foreigners.
    • Social events in neighborhood patios or plazas.
    • Participatory with no entry fee.
    • Led to the establishment of dance academies and salons for more formal performance settings.

The Golden Age of Flamenco (1860-1920)

  • Development of a formal repertoire and presentation style.
  • Emergence of Cafés Cantantes as performance venues.

Basic Elements of Cafés Cantantes

  • Cuadro flamenco: Traditional performance group.
  • Dance and song repertoire.
  • Traditional attire and accessories.
  • Gender differences in dance styles.
  • Cantaor roles: backing for dancers vs. solo performance.
  • The flamenco guitar and its modifications.

Types of Cantes

  • Romances Medievales: Convey stories of nobility and wars, often preserving history.
  • Tonás: Tragic themes focused on life events like persecution and death.
  • Villancicos: Folklore songs common throughout Spain influencing flamenco.

Flamenco Styles

  • Soleá: 12-time compás with specific accents, generally melancholic themes.
  • Cantes de Cádiz: Known as Cantiñas; characterized by a rapid tempo and major tonality, starting with specific melodic hooks.