May 23, 2025

Flamenco Fridays Sabicas

The most essential step in playing siguiriyas is to learn this simple phrase:

Bb/D  Bb/C    Bb/Bb     A        A

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

Accompanying the cante involves repeating this essential phrase with one simple variation on the third phrase, where the chord changes to C7 (or C9) on beat 3:

Bb/D  Bb/C    Bb/Bb     C7

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

When playing a llamada in siguiriyas, a guitarist will often hold an A chord and play the palo’s underlying rhythmic pulse: 

A      A      A         A        A

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

Falsetas in siguiriyas often underscore the form’s unique pulse, as in this traditional example.