Siguirillas (also spelled Seguirillas, Seguiriya, Seguidilla- take your pick!) is an intense palo, considered cante jondo (deep song.) It’s similar to Solea in that it is profound and extremely soulful, however, it tends to be more aggressively danced if the tempo is faster. Otherwise, it can also be danced to a syrupy slow tempo.

When I first learned this rhythm, my teacher taught it as a “backward Buleria” or as a “12 count” with the accents on 12/2/4/7/10.

12 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10

BUT it’s generally counted in fives!!! 1 and 2 and 3 and and 4 and and 5 and 1 and 2…..

1 – | – 2 – | – 3 – | – | – 4 – | – | – 5 – | – 1 – | – 2 – | – 3 – | – | – 4 – | – | – 5

The format of the dance is pretty standard, except the final fast letra (which is Bulerias for 12 count dances or Tangos for 4 count dances) is called the Macho. The Macho also serves as the estribillo(ending chorus.)

General Structure of Siguirillas:

• Falseta– melodic guitar
• Entrada– singer starts with ay, ay, ay
• Llamada– dancer “calls” the singer to sing with a percussive break
• Letra– singing verse
• Escobilla– long footwork section
• Macho– ending chorus