Flamenco FAQ
What is Flamenco?
Flamenco is an art form that includes Cante (song), Baile (dance), Toque (guitar), Cajón (a box drum), Palmas, (percussive clapping), and Jaleo (shouts of encouragement). Cante is the most important of these elements and most often influences how the other elements respond and perform. Above all else, the essence of flamenco is expression and fluid communication between these elements is key. Like a beautiful conversation, the cante tells a story, which the dancer interprets, as the guitar, percussion, and jaleo create musical support and embellishments.
Where is Flamenco From?
Flamenco was born in Andalusia, Spain, the southernmost autonomous community in Peninsular Spain.
What is the History of Flamenco?
Flamenco was born from a combination of: the musical, artistic & cultural influences that converged in Andalusia over many centuries + the expression of the socio-economic conditions and experiences of oppression of disadvantaged groups in Andalusia + the work of Flamenco’s artists to create and develop Flamenco styles as an expression of these influences and experiences.
The most important groups who contributed to Flamenco’s development are the Moors, Gitanos (Roma of Spain), Sephardic Jews and local Andalusian folk.
Explore an in-depth history of flamenco in this Multimedia Slideshow
How Many Styles of Flamenco Exist?
So many! There are over 50 styles of flamenco that have emerged over many centuries and within these styles are many artistic and geographical variations.
Flamencologist and musicologist Faustino Núñez has created a system that organizes flamenco into 5 objective and non-hierarchical groups. In this system, flamenco can be understood as a web of these five groups (called complejos genéricos or generic complexes) consisting of styles that share musical characteristics. These five generic complexes together make up the genre of flamenco. They are: Seguiriya, Soleá, Fandangos, Tangos, and Folkloric Styles.
How Do You Learn to Dance Flamenco?
You were not born into a flamenco family and did not grow up immersed in flamenco traditions? It is OK! The best way to start dancing and understanding the language of flamenco is to find a good teacher.
As both a teacher and professional flamenco dancer who trains in Sevilla, Spain with some of the very best flamenco artists in the field, I continue to study as vigorously as I teach and perform with globally renown artists and scholars. I do this because flamenco is a life long journey to which I am deeply committed; there is always more to discover and unfold. As I expand my knowledge and skills, I enhance my proficiency as an artist and in turn my ability to impart the highest quality instruction to all of my students of all levels.
In my Online Flamenco Dance Studio, I offer an ever-growing library of video lessons covering flamenco dance technique, choreography, and theory for beginner to advanced-intermediate levels. The library continuously offers new lessons each month that provide in-depth instruction to help students understand the language of flamenco and perform movements with confidence and artistry.
How to Create a Flamenco Floor and Studio? Watch this Video to find out how you can create your own in-home flamenco dance studio.