Flamenco Vocals, Palms, Guitar, and Origins: A Deep Dive
Flamenco Vocals: Exploring Different Voice Types
Let’s delve into the diverse vocal styles within flamenco:
- Afillá: A raspy, frayed, or very severe voice.
- Laine: A high-pitched and vibrant voice.
- Round: A manly and harmonic voice.
- Natural: A voice balanced between the round and afillá styles.
- Falsetto: Used to compensate for a lack of natural vocal range.
Flamenco Palms (Palmas): Types and Techniques
The different types of flamenco palms include:
- Redouble palms
- Deaf palms
- Dry palms
Understanding the Flamenco Mode (MI)
- The flamenco mode is properly called the Phrygian mode. It is a modal scale based on the E (MI) Phrygian mode, originating in the Middle Ages.
- The harmony is based on the descending second tetrachord of the E Phrygian mode.
- The most significant harmonic element is the Andalusian cadence.
Characteristics of Flamenco Singing During the Opera Flamenca Era
- Flamenco became more popular and less pure.
- The guitar accompaniment gained prominence.
- The guitar solo emerged as a feature.
- Performances typically took place in theaters or large venues.
Flamenco Guitar vs. Classical Guitar: Key Differences
The flamenco guitar differs from the classical guitar in several ways:
It has a more percussive sound, a slightly narrower body, and the strings are typically closer to the fretboard. This facilitates faster execution because the lower string height requires less finger pressure on the fretboard.
Primitive Features of Flamenco Singing
Early flamenco singing was often performed a cappella or with very basic accompaniment. Primitive flamenco dance took place in courtyards, taverns (ventas), and private rooms.
Characteristics of Flamenco Singing During the Cabaret Era
- Cabarets provided a full flamenco show experience.
- The dance reached new heights of splendor with great performers.
- The flamenco guitar gained further prominence.
The Origins of the Romani (Gypsy) People
The Romani people likely originated in northern India, beginning their migration throughout Europe between the 10th and 15th centuries. Traces of their North Indian cultural roots can still be observed in Romani communities today.
The Geographic Origins of Flamenco Song
Scholars place the origin of flamenco song in Andalusia, specifically in the area between Seville, Cadiz, and Ronda. This region is considered the birthplace of the most pure and ancient forms of flamenco.
The Expansion of Flamenco in Spain
From the second half of the 19th century, flamenco spread from cafes (cafés cantantes) to the rest of Andalusia, Murcia, La Mancha, Extremadura, Madrid, and Barcelona.
Characteristics of a Flamenco-Influenced Interpretation
- Adding notes and melismas for expressive purposes rather than mere ornamentation.
- Singing with lament and becoming elaborate.
- Accompaniment with palmas (hand clapping).
Understanding Uneven and Mixed Rhythms in Flamenco
- Uneven bars: Sum of several bars with the same unit of time.
- Mixed bars: Sum of several bars with different time units.
Earliest Evidence of Flamenco Singing
The earliest documented evidence of flamenco singing dates back to the late 18th century.
The Cabaret Era: Flamenco’s Golden Age
The cabaret era is often regarded as the golden age of flamenco singing.
The First Attempt to Preserve Flamenco Purity
Manuel de Falla and Federico García Lorca organized the first Cante Jondo competition in Granada in 1922, aiming to rescue the purity of flamenco singing.