Practice your Spanish and learn flamenco dance

Video nr 1

Welcome to  "Baila flamenco y practica español". This course  can be to any one want  to learn about Spanish

dance culture or is just curious. It can be followed even if you have never studied Spanish. 

The first lesson contains: Theory video: "¿Qué es flamenco?" (What is flamenco?

Take the opportunity to practice your Spanish.
Be part of this short introduction course, and learn about the culture.
What is unique?
This is both for men and women, a unique method and a unique concept.
Explanations in slow and normal pace, with and without music. Everything is translated.

Texted in Spanish and English so that everyone can participate.

- Small course in Flamencology.
- Mini choreography in 4 beat that you can practice for as long as you like.
- The course is simple and suitable for all ages between 13 and 100.
- Last video contains:  exercises to improve your dance.

Good luck

Gabriela Gutarra

Next video : 
1-How to studie flamenco dance on line 
2- Rhythms and clapping  +  exercises
3- Glossary of  Andalusian flamenco words. 

Video nr 2

Hi, this is your second class. Contains how to studie flamenco dance on line and Rhythms and clapping +  exercises.

Here under you have a very importante glossary. Flamenco terminology used in all of the dance videos.

There is currently no official flamenco methodology written down is Spain. This makes it difficult to explain dance techniques difficult to explain. All teachers have their own style. but this however does NOT mean that there is no tradition as there are a some general words. Here are some examples on said words that you need to know in order to dance flamenco. The use of the words and their meanings could probably vary. Many words are written and pronounced in Andalusian dialect. Many or these words are not in the Spanish dictionary. Those that you do find in a dictionary might have a different meaning.

Glossary

"EL BAILE" (dance): Flamenco dance

BAILAOR/BAILAORES: (Andalusian dialect) Flamenco male dancer / flamenco dancers

BAILAORA/ BAILAORAS: (Andalusian dialect) Flamenco female dancer/ (pls)

BAILAR: To dance

BAILARIN : Dancer (eg ballet and other dance styles)

BAILARINA :  Ballerina  (eg ballet and other dance forms)

BAILAR: al cante (flamenco expression) The flamenco dance adapted to the flamenco song.

EL BRACEO : The flamenco dance system for  "arms exercise" (Andalusian dialect) From  word brazo / brazos = arm / arms.

EL CANTE:   The word EL CANTE refers only to  flamenco songs as opposed to "UN CANTO" and "CANCIÒN". Within "EL CANTE" there are also different styles. For example, TANGO - a special type of flamenco song which in turn has lots of different variations depending on the different regions it comes from.

EL COMPAS :  Means The Beat. (a way to divide the heartbeat into groups. There are times in which a piece of music is divided, eg 4/4 beat). For those who practice flamenco, knowledge of tempo and rhythm is fundamental. The Flamenco singing styles differ in different rhythms, where the emphasis on the beat and rhythmic pattern is special to each style.

UN CORTE :  (from the verb cortar which means to cut, cut or cut in the middle) The best way to explain a UN CORTE (refers to musical expression) is to use the English word BREAK. "Un corte" is done to emphasize certain rhythmic details in the middle of the rhythm or at the end of a phrase. Do not confuse "una corte" which means court or court.

LA DANZA: The dance that comes from the verb danzar (French / Germanic origin dancer, but not used much in flamencon). You use the verb BAILAR, (to dance) which comes in the 600s Latin - Bailare. "La danza" is a more ceremonial word to enhance the status of dance.

EL FLOREO:  (Andalusian dialect) Refer the hand movements the flamenco dancers makes when they are dancing, specially the female dancer. From the  word "flor" which means flower.

UN GOLPE : One stamp . In flamenco it means a stamp with the WHOLE foot.

MARCAJES (markings) Accompanied steps to the song that can contain arm movements and where you mark discreetly in the beat with half toe and whole foot.

LOS PITOS:  The typical of Roman dances is just a finger. Both women and men use them to accompany the dance or song.

PUñOS : Fists, basic hand movement. The male flamenco dancers use more this exercise ( see video nr 4)

"POR TANGOS". (Dialectal expression) Preposition used in Andalusia when you mean "In tango style" Another example: if I sing a fandango I say: Yo canto "por fandangos":

UNA SALIDA : (one exit, transition from one place to another) In guitar playing, singing and dancing is meant to start a dance, a guitar cadence or a song directly. Can also be used to exit the stage, finish a piece of music, etc.

UN TABALO: (Andalusian dialect) From Spanish TABLA meaning wooden plank. El tablao (Andalusian dialect) Refers to a Flamenco place where one can experience Flamencon up close.

EL TOQUE de guitarra When referring to flamenco guitar playing, you simply talk about EL TOQUE. Comes from the verb TOCAR which means: to hold onto something to touch / touch anything to play an instrument

UNA VUELTA/Vueltas: Piruetts, turns , spin.  From Latin "voluta" (spun).

UN ZAPATO. zapatos pls.  Shoes / shoes

ZAPATEADO:  (pronunciation in Andalusian dialect) Also Zapateo Of "zapato" (shoes), zapateado is actually pronounced. Another correct word is "zapateo". A series of continuous foot rhythms. It consists of a game of sound that is produced by intricate stamps with different parts of the shoe. For example, Zapateo americano = American tap dance.

Next video: Basic dances steps in 4/4 rhythm

Good luck

Gabriela Gutarra 

Next video: 
Basic dances steps in 4/4 rhythm. Practice with me moment.

Video 3

Here comes the third class that contains 5-6 very common dance steps. All the steps will be in the final choreography in the order you learn. In the film I  only show my feet without arm exercises because it is best to separate arm and leg exercises. In video nr 4 we will combine arms and feet.  Have  patience.

Good luck

Gabriela Gutarra

Next video contains the arm exercises for men and women.

Now it's getting a little harder. Arms for ladies and gentlemen differ from each other but basic exercises are the same. If you are not used to dancing, you will get a challenge here. Don't forget to go through the word dictionary with flamenco words that are in the first class. Good luck.

This class is crucial. Here we combine everything but at a slow pace. Don't forget to record a video while dancing. Be sure to count the rhythm. It is among the most important thing in flamenco to be one with the rhythm. In order to flow with the dance it is important not to strain the muscles too much. There must be a balance.

Good luck

Gabriela Gutarra

Bonus  class: exercises to dance better.

His is the last video. The music goes at a fairly fast sped.  Don't forget to listen to the song, and learn the music  by heart.

If you can't do some step, go back to the other videos and go through the technique moments. Repeat one steps serval times it what makes a dancer.  Thank you for being part of my short  course "dance flamenco and practice your Spanish".

Hope you were inspired to practice your Spanish through Flamenco.  As I mentioned earlier, I work intensively on several major projects that I plan to launch in same weeks like a popular dance called SEVILLANAS. It is a course that develops what you have seen and goes deeper into Spanish dance  and technique.

Do you have questions? What was it that felt difficult? You can send your comments.

Your teacher

Gabriela Gutarra