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Flamenco is one of the great European nonacademic musical forms. More than simply a type of folk music, flamenco embodies a complex musical and cultural tradition. Although considered part of the culture of Spain in general, flamenco is really specifically a product and part of the culture of one region in Spain - Andalucia. There are many questions remaining about the roots of flamenco, but it is generally acknowledged that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Spanish, Islamic, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures that existed in Andalucia prior to and after the Reconquest. Once the seeds of flamenco were planted in Andalucia, it grew as a separate subculture, first centered in “baja” (lower) Andalucia, but soon spreading to the rest of Andalucia, incorporating and transforming local folk music forms.
Originally, flamenco consisted of unaccompanied singing (cante). Later, the songs were accompanied by flamenco guitar (toque), rhythmic hand clapping (palmas), rhythmic feet stomping (zapateado) and dance (baile). Toque and baile are also often found without the cante, although song remains at the heart of the flamenco tradition. More recently, other instruments have been introduced, such as the cajón (a wooden box used as a percussion instrument) and castanets (castañuelas). Recent research has shown that there was also a strong Sub-Saharan African influence, for example the African-derived zerembeque guards a tango compas. During the late-eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries, flamenco took on a number of unique characteristics which not only separated it from local folk music, but turned flamenco into a way of life centered around the music.
"Nuevo Flamenco", or New Flamenco, is a recent variant of flamenco which has been influenced by modern musical genres, like rumba, salsa, pop, rock and jazz.
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Escuela de Baile - Information about the London school including time tables, location map and registration form.
Flamenco Express - London based touring company. Company information, dates, programme, video and audio clips.
Meta Description: [ Flamenco Express. The UK's top professional touring company, working in theatres, arts centres, festivals and corporate entertainment. Dedicated to promoting flamenco as a vibrant contemporary roots art form through powerful performance, classes and workshops in dance and guitar ]
Ilusion Flamenca - Flamenco dance group based in South London. Information about classes and shows, and a photo gallery.
Viva Flamenco - London based flamenco and dance company that gives workshops and performances with dance, guitar and singing.
Meta Description: [ Viva Flamenco is a British based Flamenco group, working from South London, we travel all over the world entertaining people at events and corporate functions. ]
| We were treated to a fine meal and a display of traditional flamenco in this top notch location. ... Flamenco Madrid ... | |
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