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Excuse me if this does seem a naive question but I'm trying to understand what attributes define a Solea.
I was reading a google.books version of the Juan Martin method online yesterday evening and he states the fundamental importance of the Solea and as such starts each level of his course book with a study of a Solea as a means to introduce new technique's.
So what makes a Solea a Solea? Is it a recognizable harmonic sequence, a specific rhythm or both. I'm listening to as many Solea's as I can find but still haven't worked it out myself so any pointers would be appreciated.
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Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: How do you define a Solea? (in reply to sean65)
quote:
So what makes a Solea a Solea? Is it a recognizable harmonic sequence, a specific rhythm or both.
Both, and many many more details. In addition, the definition will change parameters depending on if you are talking about Cante (singing), toque (just guitar playing), or Baile (dance). It is a song form for starters, just like the Blues is a song form (12 bars, I,IV,V chords all dom7, blues scale melodies, swing, etc).
There are standards for the Solea form, or for any song form really, yet it allows for creativity and even improvisation, but you need to be aware how creative you can get before you are outside of the form. To be safe, stick to learning standards in the beginning until all the little pieces start to make sense as you put em together on your own.
RE: How do you define a Solea? (in reply to sean65)
Good idea to start with soleá, but part of focusing on it involves comparing it to other styles to see how it's different. In very basic terms, it might be helpful to think in terms of speed, rhythm and vibe. Here are some simplified guidelines (don't worry, it's actually much more complicated than this ):
soleá: slow 12-beat, dark alegría: slow 12-beat, bright bulería: fast 12-beat, dark or bright siguiriya: unique 5-beat, dark or bright tango: fast 4-beat, dark or bright tiento: slow 4-beat, dark Huelva: fast fandango malagueña: slow fandango Levante: slow fandango with flat V in melody
There are exceptions: the style Carapiera is a bright soleá, alegrías de Córdoba are darkish, some malagueñas have the flatted fifth degree in the melody, etc.
RE: How do you define a Solea? (in reply to sean65)
Hi Sean,
quote:
Would I be off track...
Yeah, a little or a lot, depending on the case and according to the terms you're using. The minor scale is used in flamenco, but something very similar to the Phrygian mode is more common for the dark sound. "Emotive" just means "characterized by or pertaining to emotion," and that pretty well describes all of flamenco. I guess "bright" would always involve the major scale and related harmonies, or at least a major third degree. "Zest" is like "emotive" in that it's a useful enough adjective for writers but pinpoints no specific quality of flamenco.
It sounds to me like you've got to keep listening. I'm not trying to discourage you (quite the contrary), but it takes a year or two for things to start to come together. Maybe five or six months if you choose the right material. So be patient, it'll pay off in the end! If it hits you right, you'll never get tired of flamenco.
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