Farruca structure question

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flyhere

Posts: 121
Joined: Dec. 17 2012
From: California, USA

Farruca structure question

Hi All,

Does the length of each section of the farruca conform to some general structure? especially the falseta?

I hope I'm using the correct terms and my question makes sense. I searched and couldn't quite find the answer.

Looking at various farruca pieces, I see one 4-beat measure of E7, then one 4-beat measure of Am, repeat the two measures, then one measure of Dm, back to Am, then E7, then Am for 3 beats and one rest. I understand this is the rhythmic questions & answers part. In between these are the falsetas.

I was taught that the falsetas should follow the same length and chord structure, making it easier for the dancers and help them think about what to do next. Looking at various books I notice that some do follow the same chord structure and length, but others are a bit shorter.

Is the structure only a general rule, and it varies for solo pieces? as opposed to dance accompaniment? Btw, I did learn a remate but haven't learned where to fit that in yet.

Would be grateful for some clarifications. Thanks.

fly

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 28 2013 16:14:09

Ricardo

Posts: 14828
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Farruca structure question (in reply to flyhere)

Very general. I most often improvise in rehearsal until I have memorized the specific choreography and try to set the most logical phrases. The main challenge is always sudden odd tempo changes. like half time yet a little bit fast llamadas, or double time but a bit slower than double etc. Farruca guitar solos though, were never really my cup of tea.

Ricardo

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 28 2013 17:44:21

Paul Magnussen

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 8 2010
From: London (living in the Bay Area)

RE: Farruca structure question (in reply to flyhere)

The outline you give is basically correct — although some guitarists will occasionally break the pattern to achieve a particular effect (for instance, the introduction to Sabicas’s Punta y tacón is 11 measures long). But you should learn to follow the rules before choosing to break them.

Listen to early(ish) recordings — and look at transcriptions of them, if you can find them — to see how it was done before everyone started getting fancy.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 28 2013 18:35:54