Flamenco - what is it? How to learn to dance this dance?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

There are many dances in the world. Each nation has its own rhythms and music. But in today's world there is hardly a person who has never heard of Spanish flamenco.

Woman dancing flamenco

Perhaps the most famous performer in the world, whose name is associated with flamenco, is the famous Carmen. A burning beauty with a bright rose in long black hair. Her image has become a symbol of dance for all time.

A woman is dancing to the enchanting sounds of the guitar, accompanied by soulful singing. Her fluffy skirts flutter in time with her movements. Her arms wiggle like the wings of a fairy bird. Her eyes are full of passion and fire. Her sexuality attracts men, like the light of a lantern of moths in the darkness of the night. She knows how beautiful she is and is proud of it. But this woman is not cheap, she knows her worth, and only the best can win her heart.

Flamenco is a dance of passion, fire, expression of feelings and emotions. There is nothing fictional or fictional in it. He is life itself. It is impossible to perform it without inspiration. The best performers are those who put their soul, passion and body awe into flamenco.

Dance directions

From time immemorial, there have been two directions of flamenco, which differ from each other in style. The ancient cante hondo (translated as deep) is a historically established cult dance. It expresses the sacred essence of the rushing soul.

The second direction is cante chico (lightweight). This is modern flamenco, which has lost its spiritual component and has become a dance for everyone. In both classes, over 50 varieties are distinguished, the differences between which only an experienced specialist can understand.

Origins of dance

Flamenco is a dance that originated in ancient times. Its origins originate in Moorish culture. In the 15th century, refugees from Byzantium poured into Andalusia. Among them were gypsies, Jews, blacks and other peoples. They all lived as outcasts, people of the lowest class. All the pain of the people splashed out in soul-tearing music, songs and passionate dances. Each nation has contributed to flamenco a part of its cultural heritage, a part of its soul.

In the 18th century, the situation improved, the persecution of the gypsies stopped, the dancers took to the squares and performed in taverns. Art, which had been considered sacred and forbidden for so many centuries, was released and gained popularity. Spanish flamenco has become a symbol of newfound freedom.

Already in the 20th century, Cuban melodies and jazz melodies organically intertwined with traditional Spanish and gypsy elements. The dance was supplemented with elements of classical ballet.

Merge of genres

Spanish flamenco dance, in fact, not onlyincendiary movements of a dancer or dancer. This is a symbiosis of the musical accompaniment of the toke, traditionally performed on the guitar, soulful singing of the cante and the actual dance of the bail.

Flamenco is a trinity of bilaor, cantaor and toraor. In the traditional performance, each of them can start their own part. The rest are supportive. Any of the trio can come out first and set the topic. And the rest will pick up her musical, dance or song improvisation. When one of the performers comes to the fore, the rest stay in the background to give the speaker a chance to express their emotions. But during the performance, the roles change. And only at the end do they unite in the apogee of a dance united by a common fire.

Complex rhythms

The musical rhythm of flamenco is difficult to adopt or put into notes. This is improvisation. Each time during the performance, the same melody can be played faster and slower, transitions and modulations are added. The true art of dance (Spain) flamenco is passed down from teacher to student.

Performers

Flamenco has been made famous all over the world by well-known performers. As soon as the persecution of the gypsies was canceled and the Spaniards learned the beauty of the life-affirming dance, it became extremely popular. Already in 1842, the first flamenco school was opened in Seville. It was from that time that dance became an industry, it lost its sacredness and mystery.

At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, the performer Silverio Fronconetti was known, who brought this ancient art to the masses. Hisperformances have always been full of passion and fire. But numerous followers turned flamenco from a sacred dance into a sports one, where the performance technique stood above spiritual depth. It is this option that has become generally accepted throughout the world.

But true connoisseurs remained in their homeland, in Spain. There, the phrase "There is no fire in him!" Said about a flamenco performer is a "death sentence" for a dancer. There is a known case when an 80-year old woman received the main prize at one of the dance competitions. She plugged the young performers into the belt with her inner fire and passion, reflected in the dance. After all, as the Spaniards say, you need to dance as if death itself is holding you by the shoulder.

Learning process

Flamenco is a very popular dance. There are schools in almost every city where they teach it. The flow of those wishing to learn the secrets of mastery does not dry out. And this is not surprising, because it is flamenco that reveals the feminine essence. You can’t be modest in life and perform movements on stage with fervor. Having started training, a woman changes internally, she is freed from complexes, knows herself, opens like a bud. You can start training at least at the age of 6, at least at 86. There are no restrictions.

In Spain, everyone is offered to take a basic flamenco course for beginners, consisting of 10 lessons, which are held 2 times a week. You can learn the basics of dance in less than a month, but it will take years to become a professional.

A good teacher, first of all, will make a woman fall in lovemyself. After all, only a woman who is proud of her beauty can adequately present herself in dance.

The main pose is the pose of complete self-satisfaction. The proud beauty does not know complexes, does not see flaws in herself, and certainly will not tell others about them. After that, feminine gestures, steps, turns are worked out. The dancer is a queen, and the audience, looking at her with admiration, sees an unearthly woman in her.

Why you should learn flamenco

Every girl, regardless of the date of birth, standing in the passport, should try herself in flamenco. Learning this dance reveals hidden reserves in a woman. After a few months of classes, she will understand that in life there is no place for pretense and fears. A woman is strong and beautiful, she cannot be broken by everyday difficulties. She loves and is loved.

Besides, regular training significantly improves the figure. The main requirement for all dancers is a straight back as a symbol of an unbending character. You can forget about scoliosis and stoop after the first classes.

Important elements of the dance - beating the fraction with your feet. Perfecting these exercises makes the leg muscles toned and elastic, and the legs are slender and beautiful.

The dancer's arms should flutter like wings. Masters teach how to bend them beautifully and gracefully.

Regular exercise will inevitably lead to an improvement in the figure, pulling up all the muscles, improving their relief. Beautiful posture is another important plus from classes. Well, self-confidence and getting rid of an inferiority complex will be a nice bonus.

Flamenco healsproblems of this kind are better than any psychologists.

Dancewear

Flamenco is a dance with gypsy roots. The clothes for the dancer resemble the traditional dress of a representative of a nomadic people. Skirt to the floor is made of multi-colored fabric. It can be layered or decorated with frills and flounces. During the movement, the dancer seems to be embraced by the waves of her own dress. An integral part of the dance is playing with the hem, which sometimes resembles unrestrained sea waves, sometimes tongues of burning flame. This dress is sure to be bright, catchy - no pastel colors!

Shawl with long tassels is another element of women's costume. It can be tied around the waist, emphasizing the slimness of the silhouette, or thrown over the shoulders. In this case, it forms the silhouette of a soaring bird in motion.

Often dancers perform with a fan, literally hypnotizing the audience and keeping them in suspense until the last moment. Each attribute, while moving to the music, seems to come to life, making its own additions to the story of the performer.

An important detail of the costume is shoes with heels, with which the performer taps out the rhythm. Castanets can be held in the hands, which make clicks and set the pace for movements and music.

Men performing flamenco (photo in the article) dress in dark trousers with a wide belt and a snow-white shirt. You can complement the outfit with a short vest. The image of the performer is concise and strict. This is the very embodiment of masculinity and stature.

Important items

During the performance of flamenco, the dancer does nothovering above the ground, on the contrary, he stands confidently, as if taking a firm, life-affirming position. It is a symbol of safety and security. He took his place, it belongs to him by right, at least for the duration of the dance.

In the movements of each part of the body, a story about life is revealed, a story about what excites each individually and all together. Experiences, resentment, love and sadness come from the chest. The dancer's shoulders speak of the burden of responsibility and age-old oppression. Brushes talk about feelings, this is the most expressive part of the performer's body. Widely spaced elbows seem to allow him to take a firm position in life, to free a piece under the sky for himself. The spine is the basis of the dance. It symbolizes inflexibility of character, fortitude and perseverance.

The movements in flamenco are not difficult, there are not so many of them. But each of them is filled with deep meaning, fraught with the wisdom of centuries. A person who knows the language of dance can tell the world his story, make all the spectators empathize. This is the path that leads to inner liberation and joy, although outwardly it is filled with sadness and pain.

New forms

Throughout history, flamenco has changed, experienced ups and downs. And let connoisseurs say today that this type of art is dead, but interest in it has not faded. On the contrary, new types and trends appear, based on traditional performance and complemented by modern forms. This is how flamenco pop, flamenco rock, flamenco jazz and gypsy rumba appeared. Each of them has the right to life and finds fans and followers. But classical danceremains the favorite!

It is difficult for a beginner to understand these currents. But everyone can find what he really likes. The main thing is to understand the spirit of the dance, comprehend the deep meaning of the movements and put feelings into the performance of each step.

Flamenco is a dance that can be performed without a partner. There is no need for a stage and scenery. All you need is a desire to change your life, to throw out emotions, to share joy or pain. This is a kind of individual self-improvement program that reveals the inner world. Perhaps this is what makes flamenco so attractive and famous all over the world. It is a dance that cannot be danced without opening up from within.

When you see an advertisement for a flamenco school, you should not pass by. Perhaps it is fate itself that gives a sign that it is time to change your life, open up and fly. And dancing is the best way to do it beautifully and with dignity.