Spanish Art Form: Flamenco Glossary

Flamenco is a passionate and expressive art form that originated in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain. It blends music, dance, and singing to create a performance that is rich in emotion and storytelling. Flamenco is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, with influences from Spanish, Moorish, and Romani histories. Known for its intricate rhythms, dramatic movements, and heartfelt vocals, flamenco is both a celebration of heritage and an evolving art still enjoyed by Spanish citizens today.

A

• Afillá: A distinctive type of flamenco singing voice that has a hoarse or raspy quality
• A Golpe: A flamenco piece where the rhythm is marked by tapping a stick on the floor or knocking knuckles on a table
• Alante: Refers to the front of the stage. This is an Andalusian term derived from “por delante,” meaning “in front.” When referring to a cantaor (singer), “p’alante” indicates their ability to confidently lead the performance.
• Alboreá: A traditional type of song performed during Romani wedding ceremonies
• Alegrias: A cheerful dance style from Cádiz, featuring vibrant guitar melodies, lively and complex rhythms, and intricate footwork
• Alzapúa: A flamenco guitar technique that uses the back of the thumbnail to create a unique sound
• A Palo Seco: Performing without musical accompaniment
• A Seco: A guitar playing style where the left fingers mute the strings for a distinct effect
• Arranque: An impromptu burst of emotion from a flamenco performer
• Atrás: The back of the stage, derived from the phrase “por atrás,” meaning “behind”

B

• Bailaor/Bailaora: A male flamenco dancer is called a bailaor, while a female dancer is known as a bailaora.
• Baile de Mantón: A flamenco dance performed using a shawl
• Balanceo y Vaivén: Balanceo refers to gentle swaying, and vaivén describes a more vigorous or forceful motion.
• Bout: The main body of a guitar
• Bulerías: A high-energy flamenco style from Jerez characterized by rapid rhythms, energy, and improvisation from singers, dancers, and musicians

C

• Cabales: Andalusian term for respected flamenco experts or authorities
• Café Cantante: A traditional coffeehouse that hosts flamenco performances
• Cajón: A simple wooden percussion instrument, similar to a drum
• Caló: The unique language spoken by the Romani community
• Cambio: A shift in key and tone, often used to lighten the mood at the end of a flamenco song
• Caña: One of the oldest and most beautiful flamenco song styles.
• Cante: The vocal aspect or song in flamenco.
• Cante Grande: A “big song” featuring profound and emotional themes like death and anguish
• Castañuelas: Castanets, a percussion instrument often used in flamenco dancing
• Cejilla: A capo used on the guitar to adjust pitch
• Chufla: A festive and playful flamenco song
• Cierre: The conclusion of a sequence of dance steps or a song
• Compás: The rhythm, beat, or measure of a flamenco song
• Copla: A stanza or verse in a flamenco song
• Coraje: A bold or daring style of performing
• Colombianas: A flamenco style influenced by rhythms of South America

D

• Danza: A flamenco style influenced by North African Moorish traditions, with the guitar’s sixth string tuned to D
• Debla: A religious toná (basic flamenco song)
• Dejes: The distinctive way a singer finishes a phrase
• Desgarro: The feeling of heartbreak expressed in flamenco
• Desplante: A specific segment or section of a flamenco dance
• Duende: The emotional intensity or soulful inspiration that drives flamenco artistry

E

• Entrada: The dancer’s entrance in a performance
• Escobilla: A part of the dance where the dancer performs extended zapateados (footwork)
• Estampa: The overall appearance and style of the performer, including their outfit and stance

F

• Falda: A flamenco skirt
• Falsete: A high-pitched singing voice
• Fandango: A lively couples’ dance in triple meter
• Farruca: A powerful male flamenco dance with intense footwork and dramatic tempo changes, created by Ramón Montoya and Faíco
• Figura: A prominent or star flamenco performer

G

• Gachó: A Romani term for someone who is not Romani
• Gitano: A Spanish word for someone of Romani ethnicity
• Granaína: A free-rhythm fandango style originating in Granada

H

• Hondo: Deep or profound, often describing flamenco themes or emotions.

I

• Ir con Tiento: To move or proceed slowly and carefully

J

• Jaberas: A type of fandango originating from Málaga
• Jaleo: Expressions of encouragement or enthusiasm during a performance
• Jarana: A lively gathering where flamenco is performed for fun
• Jipío: A vocal cry used to find pitch or add emotional intensity to a song
• Juerga: A flamenco party or informal jam session

L

• Letra: The lyrics or verse of a flamenco song
• Llamada: A “call” signaling the beginning of a dance or a shift in performance

M

• Macho: A three-line stanza used to conclude a song
• Marcando: The dancer’s movements during the singing of the letra
• Marcar: To mark time during a performance
• Martinete: A toná (simple song) traditionally sung by Romani people in forges, referencing the sound of a hammer
• Mutis: The exit of a flamenco dancer from the stage

N

• Nanas: Lullabies

O

• Oposición: The contrasting movements in flamenco dance, such as arms and face positioned in opposite directions

P

• Palillos: Castanets
• Palmeros: Performers who provide rhythmic clapping during a flamenco show
• Palo: A flamenco song form divided into two types: with rhythm (con compás) or without rhythm (sin compás)
• Peña: A flamenco club or cultural association
• Petenera: A flamenco style derived from Andalusian folklore, less mainstream than other forms
• Picados: Guitar scales played with rapid picking
• Picar: To pluck a guitar string
• Punteado: A guitar technique involving plucking the strings
• Punteando: Dance steps not included in the zapateado

Q

• Quejío: A lament expressed vocally

R

• Redonda: A style of flamenco singing voice
• Remate: A way to conclude a song by altering pitch, rhythm, or tempo

S

• Salida: The dancer’s exit from the performance
• Siquiriyas (Seguidillas): Emotional songs expressing despair or sorrow

T

• Taconeo: Flamenco footwork
• Tapa: The face of a guitar
• Tarantas: A challenging, free-form flamenco song style
• Tonás: The earliest known flamenco song style
• Torsión y Convulsión: Moments in a dance where the performer enters an ecstatic state

V

• Volantes: The layered ruffles on flamenco skirts
• Voz Afillá: A rough, raspy vocal quality, similar to that of singer “El Fillo”

Z

• Zambra: A lively celebration with roots in Moorish culture
• Zapateo (Zapateado): A percussive style of flamenco tap dancing
• Zapato: Shoes used in flamenco

Additional Resources

• Flamenco
• The Complicated History of Flamenco in Spain
• Origins of Flamenco
• Understanding Flamenco Dance
• Spanish Citizenship by Descent
• Heartbeat of Spain: Barcelona’s Flamenco History
• Migration in the World of Flamenco
• Requirements for Spanish Citizenship
• What Is Flamenco Dancing?
• Flamenco History
• Facts About Flamenco Dance
• Spanish Dual Citizenship
• Fabulous Flamenco
• Flamenco Characteristics, Resources, and Reflections on its Evolution
• Benefits of Spanish Citizenship
• Flamenco, Spain’s Most Famous Art