Worlds Of Music II Research Assignment (Proposal)

Rezah Sampson
SMPREZ001
Proposal Title
The Origin of Flamenco Music
Background

How Flamenco Music came about - is a form of Spanish

folk music and dance from the region of Andalusia in southern
Spain. It includes cante (singing), toque (guitar
playing), baile (dance) and jaleo, which refers to the
vocalizations and rhythmic sounds of palmas (handclapping)
and pitos (finger snapping) that encourage performers to
excel.

Discussing a historical moment in Flamenco Culture Flamenco history has only been documented for the past two
hundred years or so, and anything before this time is open to
debate and speculation.

Much of what we know from before this time comes from

stories and legends that have been passed down through
family dynasties, in a similar way to the flamenco song itself.

Present any social movements of Flamenco Music

1. Flamenco's Repression and Resistance in Southern Spain.

2. Small cultural clubs for preservation.
3. Singing Prohibited.
4. History behind the movements
Aim
Research and discuss Instrumentation and Settings how
it influenced the music - Flamenco occurs in four main settings:

The juerga is an informal, spontaneous gathering, similar to a jazz "jam session".

The artists and instruments involved will vary according to what is available. A
meeting place or grouping of flamenco musicians or artists is called a pea
flamenca.

Tablaos are establishments that developed during the 1960s, replacing the caf
cantante. They may have their own company of performers for each show. Many
scussing internationally renowned artists, like the singer Miguel Poveda, started
their careers in tablaos flamencos.

The professional concert. This is more formal. A traditional concert has only a
singer and one guitar while a dance concert usually includes two or three guitars,
one or more singers singing solo in turn and one or more dancers. One of the
singers, or a percussionist, may play the cajon. All performers will clap even if
there are dedicated palmeros. 'New flamenco' (nuevo flamenco), popularized
by Camarn de la Isla and other acts, may include flutes, saxophones, piano,
keyboards, bass guitars or electric guitars.

Finally, the theatrical presentation of flamenco is now comparable to a ballet, by

such ensembles as the Maria Pags and the famous Sara Baras Ballet Flamenco
Company.

Understanding Flamenco in the 19th and 20th century and

differences between them Discussing:

Flamenco territories

The last Fifty years - The 1960s also produced

another aspect that was to change the face of
flamenco, and this came in the shape of two
youngsters, one from Algerciras, and the other from
San Fernando, Cdiz.
Francisco Snchez Gmez was to go on to become
one of the biggest and most influential guitarists in
Spanish history. Known artistically as Paco de Lucia,
he was the accompanist to the biggest phenomenon
that flamenco has ever, and is likely to ever produce,
Jos Monge Cruz, Camern de la Isla.
Cameron de la Isla was to become the most imitated
cantaor in flamenco history, hoards of young singers

looked to him as a god, as he was the first and

nearest thing that they had had to a flamenco idol of
rock star status. This young gypsy from San Fernando
was to turn the flamenco scene on its head, and in
1992 when he died at the age of just forty-two, the
legend was born.

Preliminary Literature Study

Research Books from the UCT Library and Wynberg library:

Flamenco: Gypsy Dance and Music from Andalusia (Paperback)

by Claus Schreiner

(Editor) (shelved 2 times as flamenco)

Flamenco Music Theory: Rhythm, Harmony, Melody, Form

(Paperback)
by Lola Fernandez (shelved 1 time as flamenco)

Mel Bay's Flamenco Guitar: Basic Techniques (Technicas Basicas)

by Juan Serrano (shelved 1 time as flamenco)

Research Question
Discuss, in depth The History of Flamenco
Flamenco - Its Origin and evolution
Many of the details of the development of flamenco are
lost in Spanish history.
There are several reasons for this lack of historical
evidence:
1. Flamenco sprang from the lower levels of Andalucian
society, and thus lacked the prestige of other art forms
among the middle and higher classes. Flamenco music
also slipped in and out of fashion several times during
its existence.
2. The turbulent times of the people involved in flamenco
culture. The Moors, the Gitanos and the Jews were all
persecuted, and the Moors (moriscos) and Jews were
expelled by the Spanish Inquisition in 1492. Many of
the songs in flamenco still reflect the spirit of
desperation, struggle, hope, and pride of the people
during this time of persecution.
3. The Gitanos have been fundamental in maintaining this
art form, but they have an oral culture. Their songs
were passed on to new generations by repeated
performances within their social community. The nongypsy Andalucian poorer classes, in general, were also
illiterate.

4. There was a lack of interest from historians and

musicologists. "Flamencologists" have usually been
flamenco connoisseurs of diverse professions (a high
number of them, like Flix Grande, Caballero Bonald or
Ricardo Molina, have been poets), with no specific
academic training in the fields of history or
musicology. They have tended to rely on a limited
number of sources (mainly the writings of 19th century
folklorist Demfilo, notes by foreign travellers like
George Borrow, a few accounts by writers and the oral
tradition), and they have often ignored other
data. Nationalistic or ethnic bias has also been frequent
in flamencology.
Methodology
I will be collecting varies articles and books from the library
and internet to produce the answers to my topic question.
Constructing mindmaps, interviewing people who have
a great understanding of the culture and music.
Listen to the music
Watch varies documentaries around my topic
Use notes handed out in class

Time Frame and Resources

Visit workshops

Download music

Construct timetable

I would need to consider the fact that I have lectures to attend

and work it around my practicing schedule already put in place.

References will be taken mainly from Books and relevant Articles

on the topic chosen.