3. ¿C UÁL ES FLAMENCO ? Flamenco consists of three types of art: 1) SINGING CANTE 2) DANCING BAILE 3) GUITAR PLAYINGGUITARRA/EL TOQUE

4. C ANTE, BAILE, GUITARRA The cante, baile, and guitarra are spontaneous. However, they follow a strict set of rhythms known as “compass.” The compass is the core of Flamenco music. Each region in Spain produces a unique form of these rhythms. Listen to and read about the following compass styles: Farruca, Taranto, Sevillanas and Tangos

5. L A H ISTORIA The origin of Flamenco is unknown. Gypsies are credited for sharing early forms of the art through storytelling. It is commonly believed that Flamenco developed in the Andaluc í a Region of Southern Spain.

7. “With its colorful costumes, foot stomping, and clapping, Flamenco dancing is intense, passionate, and exotic.” The dancers have special shoes with nails or metals soles which allow them to tap out complicated rhythms and patterns on the hard floor. Flamenco dancers hold themselves with proud postures, while moving their arms and hands elegantly and smoothly. Song and dance may be rhythmic finger snapping accompanied by jaleo, hand clapping, and shouting. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

8. Female flamenco dancers wear brightly colored flowing dresses. they twirl these dramatically as they dance. This contrasts with the male dancers. They usually wear dark, close fitting clothes.

9. C ASTANETS... CASTAÑUELAS Castanets are a percussion instrument generally made of wooden shells that are held together by a cord. Castanets are used with Spanish music to emphasize rhythm. They are common in Andalucian dance. Female dancers use them during the Flamenco dance (although they are not traditional to Flamenco). The term “castañuelas” comes from the Spanish word for “chestnut” (castaño). Traditional castanets were made from castaño wood.

10. Click to see modern versions of FLAMENCO DANCES.FLAMENCO DANCES Flamenco music and dance was used as café entertainment in the 19 th Century.

11. Flamenco Dancer Carmen Amaya Carmen Amaya ranks among Spain’s best-known flamenco dancers. The energy and passion of her dancing won her an enthusiastic public from her early days. Hulton Deutsch Collection Ltd./Corbis Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

12. From the Smithsonian American Art Museum: “In Famous Fandango, artist Phoebe Cole captures the highly-styled Spanish dance through her use of vibrant colors, repetitive patterns, and line cadence. Now that's rhythm!”

13. F LAMENCO PHRASES Agua It's so hot I need water! Asi se baila That's dancing! Asi se toca That's playing! Asi se canta That's singing! Eso es That's it! Hassa Great! Jaleo Ale, ole. Possibly from the 12th century call "hala" Possibly from the Arabic: Allah! Olé! Toma que toma Take it! Vamos alla Go there! Vamo' ya! Let's go!