Flamenco: The Perfect Form of Passion

Doesn’t Flamenco seem so enchanting to you when you think about those scarlet frilly dresses above the low-heeled shoes swaying with the Spanish guitar melodies? Well, it may seem only as a dancing or singing style to us but actually Flamenco means much more than that. Now, I think it is high time to be one step closer to this perfect form of passion.

Flamenco is a culture that regarded to be emerged in Andalucia dating back to 16^th century or even older times. It is probably a combination of Arabic, gypsy, Jewish and Andalusian cultures and it represents the pain and suffering of the oppressed people as one can understand from the grieved expression of the dancer’s face or the poignant voice of the singer’s.

However, Flamenco doesn’t only express grief but also liveliness, joy and sarcasm. What you feel doesn’t matter in Flamenco but how you express your feelings, in other words, yelling your feelings out matters.

When you watch a Flamenco performance, or even listen to it, you feel their grieving and the passion they inhold and it immediately takes you in. The elegant hand gestures, the fan and the feet movements cannot be considered as something random. Each detail of the performance is there to express a particular emotion.

The shoes and the dresses are also special and generally, the color of passion, red is dominant in woman dancers’ dress and the shoes are specially designed with their strap on the ankle and the two-inch strong heel that makes the perfect sound while tapping on the floor.

Ole! Bueno!

Flamenco is tripartite consisting of Cante (singing), Baile (dancing) and Toque (guitar). In addition to them, Aficion (the audience) plays an important role in the performance. The audience really need to pay attention for the show and have enough knowledge of Flamenco tradition. She/he can interact with the performers by sitting near them, clapping and supporting them shouting like “Ole!” or “Bueno!” This can be considered to complete a Flamenco performance.

When it comes to the categories of Flamenco, we can name Cante Jondo and Cante Chico first. The former is related to death, grief or religion while the latter is about fun, love or nature.

Among the most popular Flamenco artists, Camarón de la Isla, Tomatito, Paco de Lucia and Agustin Sabicas can be listed. And what makes them so perfect is probably their skill of spontaneity which is the most required specification of a Flamenco artist. If you haven’t listened to them yet, it means that a very big part is missing in your life. Go, complete it now!

Searching for a way to express yourself?

Are you sick and tired of your droning life and in need of something more exciting to season your life? Why don’t you give Flamenco a chance then? You can start by watching some videos on YouTube. I guarantee that it’ll not take more than 3 minutes to fall in love with Flamenco once you hear the stimulating sound of the guitar and the clapping. Ladies! Confess that you also fancy those frilly red dresses, lace fan and cute shoes to tap tap tap! Gentlmen! I don’t agree if you think it’s too late to learn how to play Flamenco guitar if you’re not bound and determined to be a Camarón!