Flamenco Fridays with Carmen Amaya

The performance of soleá singing has guitar and clapping accompaniment. Like many of the flamenco styles, it has a formal structure that responds to the following model:

A guitar introduction, accompanied by a departure ayeo (the singer’s famous ‘ay ay ay’).

The cante (singing), made up of various types such as the brave cante and auction, accompanied by the guitarist’s improvisation collected under the name of “falsetas”, which appear interspersed during the performance.

The closing of the performance, given the time in which it is performed, causes a silence that encourages the public to broadcast the famous “olé”.

As for the metric, the soleá shares a great similarity with the seguiriyas, with a 3 × 4 rhythm and a twelve-beat measure, which are divided into two of six. The stanza is made up of four or three octosyllabic verses and its theme evokes deep and sad feelings.

Share this post

Leave a Comment