Bulerias
Encyclopedia
Bulería is a fast flamenco
rhythm in 12 beats with emphasis in two general forms as follows:
1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]
or
1 2 [3] 4 5 6 [7] [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]
It may also be broken down into a measure of 6/8 followed by a measure of 3/4 counted as such:
[12] - - [3] - - [6] - [8] - [10] -
[12] 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11
An interesting counting method has been used by Pepe Romero
, in his book Classical Guitar Style and Technique, which is 2 measures of 3/4 time followed by 3 measures of 2/4 time. This puts the emphasis on the last beat of each measure:
1 2 [3] 1 2 [3] 1 [2] 1 [2] 1 [2]
When performed, the bulería usually starts on beat twelve of the compas, so the accented beat is heard first.
It is played at about 240 beats per minute, most commonly in an A-phrygian mode, with a sharpened third to make A major the root chord. A typical rasgueado
(a strumming pattern that sets the rhythm) involves only the A and B-flat chords as follows:
A A [Bb] - - [Bb] A [A] A [A] - [A]
It originated in Jerez during the 19th century, originally as a fast, upbeat ending to soleares or alegrias
(which share the same rhythm and are still often ended this way) . It is among the most popular and dramatic of the flamenco forms and often ends any flamenco gathering. The name bulerías comes from the Spanish
word burlar, meaning "to mock" or bullería, "racket, shouting, din". It is the style which permits the greatest freedom for improvisation, the metre playing a crucial role in this. Speed and agility are required and total control of rhythm as well as strength in the feet which are used in intricate tapping with toe, heel and the ball of the foot.
(See also tap dance
.) It is the only flamenco dance style which permits leaping by the male dancer.
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
rhythm in 12 beats with emphasis in two general forms as follows:
It may also be broken down into a measure of 6/8 followed by a measure of 3/4 counted as such:
[12] 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11
An interesting counting method has been used by Pepe Romero
Pepé Romero
Pepe Romero is a world-renowned classical and flamenco guitarist. He is particularly famous for his outstanding technique and colorful musical interpretations on the instrument....
, in his book Classical Guitar Style and Technique, which is 2 measures of 3/4 time followed by 3 measures of 2/4 time. This puts the emphasis on the last beat of each measure:
When performed, the bulería usually starts on beat twelve of the compas, so the accented beat is heard first.
It is played at about 240 beats per minute, most commonly in an A-phrygian mode, with a sharpened third to make A major the root chord. A typical rasgueado
Rasgueado
Rasgueado is a guitar finger strumming technique commonly associated with flamenco guitar music. It is also used in classical and other fingerstyle guitar picking techniques...
(a strumming pattern that sets the rhythm) involves only the A and B-flat chords as follows:
It originated in Jerez during the 19th century, originally as a fast, upbeat ending to soleares or alegrias
Alegrías
Alegrías is a flamenco palo or musical form, which has a rhythm consisting of 12 beats. It is similar to Soleares. Its beat emphasis is as follows: 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]. Alegrías originated in Cádiz. Alegrías belongs to the group of palos called Cantiñas and it is usually played in...
(which share the same rhythm and are still often ended this way) . It is among the most popular and dramatic of the flamenco forms and often ends any flamenco gathering. The name bulerías comes from the Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
word burlar, meaning "to mock" or bullería, "racket, shouting, din". It is the style which permits the greatest freedom for improvisation, the metre playing a crucial role in this. Speed and agility are required and total control of rhythm as well as strength in the feet which are used in intricate tapping with toe, heel and the ball of the foot.
(See also tap dance
Tap dance technique
Tap dance technique makes frequent use of syncopation. Tap dance choreographies typically start on the eighth beat, or between the eighth and the first count.Another aspect of tap dancing is improvisation...
.) It is the only flamenco dance style which permits leaping by the male dancer.