España: Flamenco (Level 3, 4)

Flamenco dancer Belén Maya. Photo by: Gilles Larrain

Flamenco is a type of music and dance that originated in southern Spain in the autonomous region now known as Andalusia. It involves three instruments: 1) the singing voice, 2) guitar playing, and 3) dancing with a type of flamenco clapping sometimes becoming a fourth instrument. It is known for it's strong, melancholic / sad, improvised, and beautiful expression through all three instruments.

Flamenco is known to be an art form influenced by a mixture of cultures including the Gypsies, Moors, Jews, and the native Andalusians. Traditionally flamenco artist did not receive any formal training, instead they grew up listening and watching relatives, friends and neighbors perform. Today most flamenco artists are trained professionally in specialized music and dance programs. 

There have been many famous flamenco dancers and singers including the dancer Carmen Amaya, Belén Maya, the signer Camarón de la Isla, and the guitar player Paco de Lucia, etc. Watch the video bellow to see Carmen Amaya, one of the most famous and most pasionate flamenco dancers perform. As a bonus also watch Marisol a famous Spanish child-star sing and dance flamenco!

1) Te gusta la musica flamenca? 
2) Te gusta como se baila? 
3) Te gustaria aprender flamenco?

 Vocabulary / Vocabulario 

Andalusia - an autonomous region of Spain. It includes the provinces of Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Malaga, Jaén, Granada, and Almería. It is located in the south and is the most populated area of Spain. People from this region are also known as Andalusians.