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| Arms |
If there is something that is characteristic of flamenco, and particularly of
its female dance forms, it is the movement of the
arms. It requires technique, lots of practice,
and artistry. The arms must be held up high, above
the head, and in a rounded shape, so that the elbows
are not visible. At the start you will get tired,
and your muscles may ache, but in due time you
will manage to keep them raised and to control
them without ever flagging.
At the same time as the arm movements are being
executed, the hands must be turned inwards and
outwards. This movement will have to follow the
music, and must be done in a way that does not
make the hands look like grinders that have spun
out of control. It isn´t easy, but once you have
achieved it, your arms will have gained in character,
personality and artistry.
After mastering the movement of the arms, it will
need to be coordinated with the feet. At first
this is somewhat difficult, but later it will become
automatic. |
| Feet |
| The zapateado (stepping movements with the toe, sole and heel of the foot that
produce a rhythmic combination of sounds) is another
indispensable part of flamenco. It is executed
with the knees slightly bent in order to strike
(the floor or stage) with strength, absorb the
blow and avoid injuries. The back must be kept
straight, and the feet must be kept in line with
the hips. There are several kinds of percussion
using the feet: the blow, with the plant of the
foot, with the heel, with the toes... It is important
for them to sound “clean” and clearly, and this
can only be achieved with lots of technique, ear,
strength and resistance. These qualities will eventually
be acquired through practice. |
| Body |
| Attention must be paid
to the body position from the very start; if you
get used to a good position, there will come a time
when it will appear without even thinking about
it, and it will become your natural posture, even
when you are walking down the street. The body position
must be very straight, looking bold and elegant,
although it also needs to be flexible and stretch
out when the steps require it. These movements must
be harmonious, natural, effortless; the bailaor
(flamenco dancer) must identify with the plasticity
of the movement. The head is also important. It
will have to remain raised, it will accentuate the
meaning of our steps, and our dancing will become
more expressive. |
| Heart |
This is the most
difficult and most important part. You have to
feel flamenco dancing, and you must make the person
who watches it feel it as well. You must be able
to give an outlet to your feelings and to express
your personality. To do this, you must understand
the music and allow it to carry you along. This
is where the main difficulty lies. It is important
to spend time studying the different cantes (styles
of songs) and toques (styles of guitar playing)
in detail in order to perceive their peculiarities.
You have to know and master the meter, the expressive
flamenco vocabulary, the technique, the structure
of the different dances, the palos (forms)...
Furthermore, you need to know how to combine all
sorts of movements and steps naturally, and to
be able to improvise.
 Continue reading:
From the simples to the most difficult palos
(forms)
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Getting
started in flamenco
What is meant by cante jondo, duende, jondura, quejío, garbo…?
Everything you need to know to get started in flamenco.
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"Flamencoing" in
Madrid
Madrid is undoubtedly the flamenco capital: schools, tablaos,
taverns, bars and festivals. Everything that you mustn´t miss
out on.
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Choose
the best skirt
The skirt
shapes your figure and highlights your movements.
Here you can learn how to pick the one that suits
you best.
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