Flamenco

1. A Trilogy of Arts The development of Flamenco can be thought of and understood as three distinct but complementary styles that fuse in the service of the flamenco way of life. Through song, dance, and rhythms, the flamenco’s conception of self and mode of existence is celebrated. During quieter moments shared over a bottle of sherry, there may be recitation of poetry in the presence or absence of guitar. The modern influences of world music, especially jazz, add still more variation in instrumentation, such as flute, bass guitar and a hollow wooden box called a cajón. A Musical Journey Through Andalusia Flamenco Cante Without the song, flamenco would not exist. It is by far the most integral and important aspect of the art, respected above both the dance and the guitar by nearly all aficionados. AestheticsFor those accustomed to the sounds of Western singing, flamenco singing might better be described as wailing. A smooth, velvety voice is not considered ideal. Rather, the ideal voice of a cantaor is rough and scratching. It has been described as “the howling of wolves in the Tundra.” The voice is often cracked and split, and has a hoarse, sharp, and grating quality to it. This is called “voz afila,” and represents the strong historical and social oppositional nature of flamencos. The experience of flamencos has always been against the grain, and this mode of existence is mirrored through not only lamenting lyrics but also the texture and quality of the voice. PitchesFlamenco singing does not always consist of pitches that are recognized as degrees of a tonal scale. Rather, the singer weaves around pitches, utilizing quartertones while pushing or pulling the emphasis to enhance the emotional expression of the song. Baile The goal of the dancer is to reveal in a physical form what emotion is being expressed through the singer and guitar. HandsGraceful hand movements are integral to a good performance of any flamenco dancer. It is through these embodiments that bailoras reveal their pain, sorrow, joy, or happiness at specific moments of a song. BodyAll movements are improvised within the structure of a song form. Movements differ, though all share a common grace. Upper body movements are purposely constrained. Flamenco, in contrast to ballet, is a heavier, earth centered dance that is based on mature eroticism, and as a result we do not see light or airy jumps. This demonstrates an acceptance, rather than a rejection, of gravity. Feet Stamping feet (zapateo), another component of the Flamenco dance, anchors the baile. Originally performed barefoot, heelwork is now important for its rhythmic contributions in addition to dance patterns. Toque The unsung hero of Flamenco is the guitarist.[1] In the mind of a flamenco, the guitar exists in the shadow and the service of the singer and dancer, although is now becoming more independently respected. TechniqueFlamenco guitar is known for Intricate right-hand technique, whose purpose lies in the enhancement and support of the overall rhythm. A specific technique, rasqueado, is characterized by rolling chords. ImprovisationThe guitarist must be familiar with all song forms as well as basic chord progressions within each form, as everything else is improvised, taking cues from both singer and dancer. Usually, this takes place in the Phrygian mode. Research conducted by Sara Hughes primarily through ethnographic field research in Spring 2004 in Seville, Spain under the direction of Dr. Christopher Smith. A Way of Life When asked what flamenco is, an artist will often reply that flamenco is a way of life rather than a form of music. It is true that Flamenco is not easy to define. It cannot be transcribed in the western musical system because of its diversity in mode, tone, and rhythm. More importantly, emotional nuances and stresses of the expressive forces that are the spine of flamenco cannot be notated. Flamenco is a direct and sincere expression of fundamental human sentiments. The art form saturates the province, and can be heard raining through loudspeakers in supermarkets as well as microphones at clubs and theatres every day of the week. Rhythms ingrained in the hearts and minds of the Sevillanos are clapped out by old men standing behind newspaper stands and young people riding the bus on their way to school. Flamenco can be found in any of Sevilla’s 300 city plazas. For the Sevillanos, Flamenco's profound expression of sorrow and joy is more than an electrifying song and dance form; it's a way of life. Spanish poet Garcia Lorca once wrote that duende, the mysterious, untranslatable emotional charge that gives flamenco its overwhelming power, emanates from "the final blood-filled room of the soul.” Today Flamenco is evolving at an unprecedented rate due to changes in Spanish politics, global economics, and global media. Flamenco is often fused with Jazz, hip hop, African and Cuban rhythms and others. These new approaches to Flamenco are called Nuevo Flamenco, the next phase in Flamenco’s evolution. Other Rhythmic Components Palmas- Polyrhythmic patterns are clapped out by audience or ensemble members. PitosFinger snapping, tongue clicking, and even knuckle or fingernail drumming on a tabletop, are all examples of pitos. CastanetsThese are a Spanish-classical influence and are played in some dances, including the Sevillanas. Jaleo Anyone present during a flamenco performance may often shout words of encouragement. Some popular phrases to shout are “ESO ES!” “OLE!” and “Que Toque Bien!” Example of the overlaying rhythms of the buleria. > > > > > Basic rhythmic pattern: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 > > > > > > > > Parallel rhythm: 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 • Acknowledgements and Works Cited: • I would like to thank Dr. Christopher Smith, an invaluable mentor and director of the Vernacular Music Center at Texas Tech • University and professor of Music History for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. • I would also like to thank Dr. Tydeman of the Southwest Collection of Texas Tech, as well as Dr. Susan Tomlinson, director of the • Natural History and Humanities program at Texas Tech University. Special thanks to Cheryl Carroll and the Honors College. • Research for this project was conducted primarily during Spring of 2004 through field research in Sevilla, Espana. I owe a large • amount of gratitude to the gypsy flamenco artists Chica, Pola, and Cristobol (whose photographs appear on this poster) for their • willingness to share the art of Flamenco with me. • Pohren, D.E. The Art of Flamenco. • Sevilla, Paco. Flamenco: The Early Years. • All Photographs by Sara Hughes. Map by Paco Sevilla [2]