July 18, 2025

Flamenco Fridays con Camarón y Paco de Lucia

As an accompanist, the guitarist’s job is to respond to the cues from the singer and dancer. When the singer is singing, the harmony follows the singer.

With practice, you’ll be able to hear the chord changes implied in the way singers emphasize chord tones in the melody. 

Meanwhile, practice these one- and two-compás patterns to get the feel of bulerías. Compare these to the patterns for Alegrías.

Chord changes on 3 and 10 as in the llamada

A          Bb                         A                       Bb                          A

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

Chord changes on 12 and 6, common in letras

A                      E7                           C                       F

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

In creating a solo bulerías, guitarists string together rhythmic patterns and pre-composed or improvised falsetas.