top of page

Flamenco trivia

[What is flamenco? ]

Are you wondering "what is flamenco? What kind of music is it and what kind of dance is it?"

I even thought about it when I started flamenco (sweat)

In my case, the big question was, "Is it okay for a man to dance?"

Here, I will explain about flamenco, including such simple questions.

中高年と初心者の岐阜フラメンコ教室ダンサフラメンカ
[Two styles of flamenco dance]

Like many other dances such as Argentine tango, salsa, ballroom dance, belly dance, etc., the home of Spain is a show that shows "a style of enjoying flamenco as a hobby" and "a variety of acrobatic techniques". There are two styles of "style flamenco".

Show-style flamenco is a form of flamenco that is shown in theaters that are introduced in videos and TV, and that you can enjoy flamenco while eating at a restaurant with a stage.

Let's call the style that you enjoy as a hobby "Penha Flamenca" here.

A gathering of flamenco lovers. In many cases, it is a membership system, and members gather regularly to dance, sing, play the guitar, and enjoy the Fiesta together.

Here you can enjoy tango (flamenco tango) and bulerias. In addition to this, show elements may be added to perform difficult dances while being amateurs.

At Dansa Flamenca, we will learn the movements peculiar to flamenco and the choreography that can be easily danced at the beginning, and the lovers of Penha Flamenca will learn the style of dancing happily in the beginner's class. In the beginner's class, of course, you will learn variations of flamenco dance with show elements, so you can work on flamenco more happily, add color to your daily life and enrich your life.

[Establishment of flamenco]

Flamenco was born as a singing (flamenco song), later with the addition of guitar and dance. People called Gitano (Roma-Gypsy) played a major role in its outbreak and dissemination, but the art also has traces of old music from the Jewish, Arab, and old Central Castilla and Andalusian regions. ..

The arrival of the Roma (Gypsy or Hitano) of North Indian origin in Spain coincides with the surrender of Arabs and the expulsion of Jews in Spain around the 15th century. Later, the exiled Arabs and Jews joined the similarly volatile Roma, with different ancestry, to form a sort of social class.

In this social class, the prototype of flamenco was created, and at the end of the 18th century, it began to appear on the front stage and changed from "gypsy performing arts" to "flamenco".

Flamenco songs were sung to express their own sorrows and joys at family and clan gatherings.

It is a deep emotion that a good singer can convey from the deepest part of the heart. It must come from within without deception.

In the latter half of the 19th century, the song was heard in theaters and show restaurants in cities such as Cadiz, Sevilla and Jerez, and was accompanied by guitar and dance in line with the show.

The dance that came along with this period changed from the early gypsy style by incorporating various elements, and after the appearance of excellent dancers such as Gran Antonio and Carmen Amaya, we are familiar with it today. It has evolved into flamenco dance.

Flamenco dance is performed with clapping heels, clapping and cajon, accompanied by guitar and singing, and it is essential to have a shout to liven up the stage such as "Ore!", "Bamos", "Asser" and "Vivala Gracia".

Basically, it dances with characteristic finger movements, but sometimes it uses props such as castanets, folding fans, and canes.

Although flamenco dance is a traditional performing art, it is constantly changing and evolving because it is a characteristic that values individuality and may not like to imitate or preserve its predecessor. In the 1960s, singer Camarón and guitar player Paco de Lucía became pioneers, paving the way for flamenco.

These two artists have adopted new methods to raise the bar of flamenco art and spread flamenco art around the world.

Nowadays, styles such as "Puro (pure)", which dances with traditional flamenco songs, and "Modern (modern style)", which dances with music such as classical and Argentine tango, and hip-hop and jazz, have been established and continue to develop. increase. In addition, it is registered as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage and November 16th is designated as World Flamenco Day.

bottom of page