The Structure Of Flamenco
In Western music, the most common modes are major and minor. Flamenco music makes much use of the Phrygian mode. It is the most common in the traditional palos and is used for solea, bulerias, tangos and tientos. It contains alterations in the 7th and 3rd degree of the scale. This scale also forms a typical cadence that is commonly called the “Andalusian cadence.” Most guitarists use just two basic positions for the tonic chord. They usually do not receive any formal training so they generally play be ear. The rules of Western classical music are usually disregarded. This leads to interesting harmonics and dissonances.
Flamenco has several melodic characteristics. There are intervals smaller than a semitone. Portamento is used to change notes smoothly. Traditional flamenco songs usually only have a range of four and a half tones. Enharmonic scales and contiguous chromatic notes abound. There is a lack of regular rhythm and most styles express sadness and bitterness. Flamenco melodies also tend to descend. And these movements usually tend to proceed in contiguous degrees.
Rhythm is very important in flamenco. In this aspect, it is very similar to jazz and blues. It uses three basic counts which are the binary, the ternary, and the unique twelve-beat cycle that is unique to flamenco. However, there are also styles that are not subject to any particular time signature. But all things being equal, the compas defines flamenco. In fact, without a guitarist, the compass can be rendered by hand-clapping. Such fun!
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