The styles in the Flamenco guitar
Technique, harmony and especially rhythm are some of the characteristics that differentiate each of the traditional styles that we can find in the flamenco guitar
Each of the traditional styles of flamenco are called "palos". In response to the harmonious progression and rhythm, a song is composed in different styles. In this sense, we must also take into account the technique used in each of them, by both type and level of difficulty.
The picado, the strumming, the trémolo or the alzapúa are some of the techniques used by the flamenco players. These techniques identify the flamenco rhythm and force the flamenco guitar to have a series of different features to those of its classical variant.
The four-note tremolo or the guitar-strumming sound in a different way in a suitable guitar. Lisp and sound color sound like flamenco.
With regard to the traditional varieties of flamenco, some of the best known styles are: Bulerías, Alegrías, Fandango, Petenera, Rondeña, Soleá or Tango.
In all cases, the most common rhythms are twelve, four, and three tempos. Bearing in mind the importance of the rhythmic accompaniment by means of clapping and knuckle knocking, which is an essential and a representative accompaniment of the flamenco art. The cajon drum is another common rhythmic accompaniment, although it is noteworthy that this was an innovation by Paco de Lucía.
The most common beats in the flamenco guitar is the twelve-beat tempo. Bulería, Alegría, Petenera or Soleá are some of the styles with twelve-beat tempo.
Regarding the three-beat rhythm, we can find different styles such as Fandango, Granainas, Malagueñas or Tanguillos.
The Tango, the Farruca, the Garrotín or the Taranto, are composed by means of a four-beat rhythm.
All compasses used in the styles of the flamenco guitar are divisor of 12. For that reason, the flamenco clock is well-known since it is used to implement the rhythm of the different styles .
In the twelve-beat rhythm, the strongest tempos are 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Although it has been synthesized the structure of the different flamenco styles in this article, it is important to mention that mastering the different rhythms means a significant difficulty, especially for those guitarists who are not used to listening to the different rhythms.
In fact, most popular rhythms from the different parts of the world are formed by deeply rooted customs, so it is more difficult for those who do not live with them.
Even so, playing the flamenco guitar can be accomplished by means of many hours of study and using the metronome, and you will enjoy it.
