I had no idea there were so many variations of the flamenco. I have only danced it once, and that was so long ago, all I remembered was the 1-2-3. I remember it being tricky, but while watching the videos I really couldn't keep up with the beat.
Watching the musicians, and even the singers - when they tap the table with their hands - helps me to see the beat, but actually tapping it out on my own was SO hard! I wonder why it is that westerners (or is it just me) find it difficult to feel those rhythms. Also, it makes western music look so tame. . . we think that our songs express emotion, but I don't think they do so as much as these musicians do -- I keep seeing images of those last two men singing. There was no need for accompaniment, no rhythm really either. They just sang it out - our sounded - or released. It was beautiful. That's a music with power.
Posted by abplanalpk at January 20, 2005 10:47 AMOf course, the harmonies of Western "classical" music have advanced much farther than the harmonies of Flamenco.
Posted by: Pete at January 20, 2005 01:11 PMyes, I agree that our harmonies have become more technically arranged and systematic - but do you not find awe in how they sing from this outpouring vat of emotion and experience to create sounds that aren't read from a page but rather felt!?
Posted by: katie at January 25, 2005 09:59 AM