The Mystery at the Heart of Flamenco

As a guitarist with a significant connection to Spanish music, I wasn't expecting this to be so incredibly accurate! I almost started watching this video only to feel superior (kinda like a native speaker of English would watch a video explaining how to speak English), but I couldn't actually pinpoint any inaccuracy or undeserved oversimplification whatsoever! :D In fact, I learned some new things, like the fact that there is a Berber rhythm so similar to the bulerias. Amazing! Thank you so much for making this and informing people about the beauty of Spanish music.

Came here from Nahre Sol's video on flamenco -- this is amazing I'll be checking out all of your videos!!

Most mentioned is that the "Gypsies" came from Rajasthan in India. One look at kathak dance the traditional classical dance of North India will leave you with the impression that Kathak and Flamenco are nearly the same except that Flamenco is performed with dance shoes. When I was a UCLA in the 1980s I knew two different women who were studying Flamenco and Kathak dance. See "Latcho Drom" The vocal delivery in Flamenco singing seems to embody Rajasthani singimg. The "Compa-s" (time cycles) in flamenco in 12 might be derived from Indian "Taal-s" in 12. One big feature of Indian "Taal" is points of primary and subsidiary stresses within the time cycle. The Phrygian scale and Phrygian dominant (Hijaz) are contained within the vast Raga and parent scale system. Using 2 different versions of a note are also a feature of Raga-s in their ascending and descending structures.

As an north African Arab I gotta point out.. In middle east we have around 8 main scales that can be summarized in 1 word صنع بسحرك Every letter is a scale Sabba Nahawand 'Ajam Bayat/beyat Sika Hijaz Rast And kurd aka the kurdish scale.. The kurdish scale is the same as the Phrygian mode be it in some regions there are some alterations but generally it is similar And about the ryhtms of flamenco and morroco , this extends to the neighboring countries too ..sudan for example (my country) has a similar rhythm to Moroccan music to a degree but we differ in musical traditions , But yeah flamenco is interesting

Loved this episode. Could you do a similar one for Fado, the Portuguese traditional music? I always thought that the arabic influence is clear in the melismas, but I would love for you to give a foreign and theoretical look into it. Love your stuff, man. Keep doing what you're doing!

One of your best yet mate. Fastinating.

Yes! Love this stuff. Understanding the traditions and styles of music I don't play is a big help. It helps me appeciate the art of the other styles outside my usual listening (and playing) repertoir. Learning about a wider musical landscape helps me play things that I would not have otherwise.

Keep um up! you and Adam Neely are the best subscriptions I have on youtube right now hats off to you both

Fantastic video, thank you. Recently I was at a world music festival, and one of the most astounding acts was a collaboration between a Spanish flamenco group and a band of folk musicians from the deserts of Rajasthan, India. The idea of the collaboration was to see how the Spanish group, through the influence of the gypsies, mirrored the music of the Rajasthanis and vice versa. Neither group could communicate with one another, nor could they speak English. So with guitar and cajón on one side, harmonium, sarangi and tabla on the other, we witnessed these two musical cultures coming together - and it was pretty fluent! The melisma was a shared attribute of both styles.

As Spanish and flamenco guitar player I would love to recommend you to listen to Niño Miguel, for me, the best flamenco guitar player ever (with Paco de Lucia of course). His compositions come direct from the heart. Listen to his two cd's if you have time. Best regards

Vsauce - Michael Vsauce2 - Kevin Vsauce3 - Jake Vsauce4 - Adam Vsauce5 - David

Excellent video. Consider talking about Klezmer music next. It seems like both styles have similar influences.

Well researched vlog.👌Originating in Rajasthan India, Lambada dance is a captivating art form that blends Indian and Gypsy influences, showcasing intricate footwork, storytelling, and passionate expression. The Lambada Gypsy tribe's vibrant traditions have significantly shaped and preserved flamenco as we know it today, captivating audiences worldwide with its rhythmic beats, graceful movements, and powerful expressions.

Flamenco is so beautiful and rich with emotion. I’m so happy it exists. Its creation is even more interesting.

Brilliant! There is so little real research, or ability to research flamenco, that I am very appreciative of your effort here. I fell in love with the work of Carlos Montoya twenty years ago, and still can't get enough.

Informative as always! I'd love to see you do a video on Indian or Carnatic music. 😀

So cool to see some flamenco content that is so detailed in its explanation!

As a Flamenco musician. This video is right on! Amazing academic description. Congrats!!

What a lovely journey. Your videos are equally entertaining and informative.

I just heard about your channel the other day and the referring party did not lead me astray, this is good stuff it is not only informative but the way you put it together kept my interest without hesitation...Thank you so much