Flamenco Terms

Some important Spanish terms to know in flamenco:

Alegrias - joy or happiness, a popular form in A or E major.

Braceo - the arm movements of a flamenco dancers

Baile - dance

Calo - language of Spanish Gypsies

Cante- song

Cante Chico - light style of flamenco song

Cante Jondo - deep and solemn style of flamenco song

Compas - meter, the rhythmic feel of a song or dance form

Contra-tiempo - counter-rhythm

Copla - the set melodic pattern of a song

Cuadro - a group consisting of flamenco singers, dancers and guitarists, including other musical accompaniment

Desplante - portion of a dance and the accompanying music marking the end of a phrase with heelwork

Duende - soul or spirit, good flamenco is said to have Duende

Escobilla - a dance step which resembles the sweeping motion of a broom. A section of dance, most common in Alegrias

Falseta - a melodic variation on the flamenco guitar

Fandango - a popular song and dance form related to Sevillanas

Farruca - flamenco dance form in 4/4 time

Floreo - hand movements of dancers

Gitano - another name for gypsy

Golpe - related to footwork - full sole of foot striking floor

Jaleo - shouts of encouragement, Ole! being the most common

Juerga - a flamenco jam session or private party

Llamada - a dance step to advice the guitarist of a change in a dancers variation

Letra - the lyrics of a song

Palmas - rhythmic hand clapping

Palmeras - people who do palmas

Paseo - a dance step resembling walking or a promenade

Pasada - passing a partner in dance

Pito - finger snapping

Planta - ball of foot

Punta - toe of shoe

Remate - the end of a phrase

Salida - an introductory portion of a song or dance

Sevillanas - a lively and cheerful song and dance form in 3/4 time; from Sevilla

Soleares - a form of cante jondo, it expresses deep sadness and loneliness

Tablao - a stage or cafe where flamenco is performed

Tacon - heel of shoe

Toque - flamenco guitar

Zapateado - footwork, also the name of a dance.