Flamenco Terms

Alegrias - joy or happiness, a popular form in A or E major.
Braceo - the arm movements of a flamenco dancers
Baile - dance
Calo - language of Spanish Gypsies
Cante - song
Cante Chico - light style of flamenco song
Cante Jondo - deep and solemn style of flamenco song
Compas - meter, the rythmic feel of a song or dance form
Contra-tiempo - counter-rythm
Copla - the set melodic pattern of a song
Cuadro flamenco - a unit of flamenco singers, dancers and guitarists
Desplante - portion of a dance and the accompanying music marking the end of a phrase with heelwork
Duende - soul or spirit
Escobilla - a dance step which resembles the sweeping motion of a broom. A section of dance, most common in Alegrias
Falseta - a melodic variation on the flamenco guitar
Fandango - a popular song and dance form related to Sevillanas
Farruca - flamenco dance form in 4/4 time
Floreo - hand movements of dancers
Gitano- gypsy
Golpe - related to footwork - full sole of foot striking floor
Jaleo - shouts of encouragement, Ole! being the most common
Juerga - a flamenco jam session or private party
Llamada - a dance step to advice the guitarist of a change in a dancers variation
Letra - the lyrics of a song
Palmas - rythmic hand clapping
Palmeras - people who do palmas
Paseo - a dance step resembling walking or a promenade
Pasada - passing a partner in dance
Pito - finger snapping
Planta - ball of foot
Punta - toe of shoe
Remate - the end of a phrase
Salida - an introductory portion of a song or dance
Sevillanas - alively and cheerful song and dance form in 3/4 time; from Sevilla
Soleares - a form of cante jondo, it expresses deep sadness and loneliness
Tablao - a stage or cafe where flamenco is performed
Tacon - heel of shoe
Toque - flamenco guitar
Zapateado - footwork, also the name of a dance

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