2. WHAT IS FLAMENCO?
• An expression of life, a communication on the deepest
most profound level
• Folk art and culture from Spain (Andalusia)
• The musical outlet of the poor and oppressed
• Influenced by 4 major cultures
• Gypsies
• Moors, or Arabs
• Jews
• Indigenous Andalusians
3. GYPSIES COME TO SPAIN
• Gypsies began to migrate into
Europe from the Middle East
and northern Africa
• Brought their own styles of
music and dance
• Earned money by performing
trades such as storytelling,
using herbal medicine, and
doing other odd jobs
4. MEANWHILE…
• Arabs are taking over the Middle East and Europe, working
their way to Spain
• A new Spain was created
• Mixed cultures, religions, and language
• The blending of these cultures in specifically Andalusia had
a large part in the formation of flamenco
5. 1492 – Jews were banished from Spain
• anyone that did not conform to standard Spanish society
was tortured, persecuted, and killed
• Many were forced to join existing gypsy groups
• Spanish society looked down upon gypsy customs,
beliefs,
• While in hiding or in prison, they would sing songs to
express their heartache
• Similar to spirituals and other African American music
more commonly known
6. During the 19th century, gypsies were
no longer in hiding
• Began to display their music
and dance in public
• Gained admirers
• Did not become popular until
non-Gypsies began
performing in cafes and
theatres
• Gypsies have always been
considered the best
interpreters
7. THE NAME “FLAMENCO”
• The name "Flamenco" did not come from the Gitanos
(Gypsies) themselves.
• The name Flamenco was chosen as a reference (the
Flemings)
• Flemish Charles brought Latin Flanders to sing in the
Spanish cathedrals, to brighten up the sober Islamic
lifestyle.
• These very good singers were called Flamencos (Flemish).
8. EMBELLISHMENTS AND RHYTHM
Typical of Gypsy music all over the world are the mostly
simplistic harmonies (often of local music) that are used,
combined with the extensive use of embellishments.
improvisation plays a major part in this music; whenever
they play a piece, it's never the same twice.
Flamenco is felt from measure to measure, with up to twelve
counts and several beats in a measure. In flamenco each
measure is a rhythmical phrase, with a "question-answer"
structure
9. INSTRUMENTS IN FLAMENCO:
• singing, dance and guitar.
• The most complete form of
flamenco is where these three
basic components are used.
• there are some songs that are
done without any accompaniment.
10. MUSICAL QUALITIES
• For the Gitanos, the significance of their singing is related to
the way singer can strike or touch the audience.
• songs were their only tools to orally pass on historical facts
and
• personal feelings and emotions.
11. HARMONIC CONTENT
• The three modes, used in flamenco guitar music
• , are the Ionian mode (the major scale), the Aolean mode
(the natural Minor scale) and the Phrygian mode
• Typical chord progression of the Flamenco cadence is
VI, V, IV, III
• . The most typical chord progression of the Flamenco
cadence is VI,V, IV, III in which the III is major dominant
Phrygian
12. FLAMENCO TODAY
• The number of different types
of instruments has grown
significantly.
• violin, the cello and the flute
are used frequently in
flamenco performances.
• fusion with folk music, jazz or
Middle Eastern, Asian and
Latin musical styles.
13. http://www.andalucia.com/flamenco/home.htm
Bailaora: MOTION/MOVEMENT
SUBJECT: MOTION/MOVEMENT Posted in the Project.flickr
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All rights reserved by Luca Fiaccavento
This photo was taken on May 16, 2009 in Frascati, Lazio, IT.
Some rights reserved by klmartin
