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Flamenco Essay

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Flamenco is an individualistic folk art, a genuine Southern art form, which was mainly originated by Andalusian gypsies. It exists in 3 forms: El cante, song, el baile, dance and guitarrra, guitar playing. Its roots also are with Arabs, Spanish Jews and socially outcasted Christians. The flamenco essence is song, which is usually accompanied by guitar and improvised dance. Complex rhythmic patterns and sophisticated footwork differs from other European dance forms.

The word "flamenco" has been questioned on why an Adalucian music form would be represented by a word that meant Flemish or flamingos. Most believe that it was Carlos I who brought with him to Spain from Flanders an entire Flemish court. These Flemish court men, on …show more content…

This is often called Seguiriyas.

Seguiriyas is the oldest written example of flamenco found in the 18th century. Called an indecent dance by Henry Swinburne of 1779, seguiriyas is one of the many still surviving non-Gypsy flamenco dances.

The many types of cante are similar in the fact that they may share the same rhythm. Although, they are proved to be very individual in their accentuation and emotional content. The ancestry of el cante is traced back to the serious forms called Canas and Soleares. From these two, stemmed Alegrias, which was a lighter form. From the Gypsy culture came Albireas, which was only sung at weddings. Spanish folk songs and dance the Arab influences and Latin America has influenced many later genres such as Rumbas, Gitano, and the Columbianos. Black culture played a large role in the formation of many Latin American music types.


Though Flamenco has very much been acquired by Arabs, Indians, Jews, Gypsies and the Africans the source of flamenco dance lies in the singing and guitar traditions. Originally, the guitar served as the companion of flamenco dances. Today flamenco guitar has developed into its own art. Like many other music forms and styles, flamenco has recently been mixed with jazz, blues, rock and pop music. This form is embraced by younger people but discarded by a somewhat older "purists."

16th century dance included chacona, zerabanda and

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