Folk music in Spain
Rocío Domínguez García & Nazaret Romero
The traditional or folk music is the one that is transmitted orally from generation to generation and it is a part of people’s culture of the same nation or region. It has three main aspects: dances, instruments and songs. Here we will talk about the most typical music and dances of Spain:
CANARIAS: ISAS
The origin of the Isas come from the meetings that hunters did in their caves. This dance is led by the captain of the dance and it begins with chains of humans forming figures. After the sound of the instruments, people start to dance at one time.
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttQlpyAboy8&feature=related
GALICIA: MUÑEIRAS
This dance can be dancing loose or with a partner. The girl makes movements to the rhythm of the "castañuelas" and "gaita", typical Spanish instruments and the man gives steps with high mobility.
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlCrFXjRfVE&feature=related
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA: BOLERO
It is a fun and original dance that takes place in the festivals of the town. At first it was danced in pairs, but then they started to dance in groups of more people. You can dance this with the arms extended while you are playing the "castañuelas"
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qzLIp6Herw&feature=relmfu
ARAGON: JOTA ARAGONESA
These are the oldest. They have a fast rhythm and an elaborate choreography, in which dancers makes spectaculars jumps. In every one of these steps, called "batudas", their feet collide while the legs are raised.
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzN3Zdiiey8&feature=fvwrel
CANTABRIA: PALOTEOS
The origins of this dance starts in the S.XVIII. Young people of the town, meet in the square and they dance with chopsticks, doing different figures with these.
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzzucn7PvMM&feature=fvwrel
PAIS VASCO: AURRESKU
It is a ceremonial and traditional dance where people participate with an intention of honorar to someone or something. It consists in four parts: challenge, handrails, "contrapas" and farewell, and it require a good strength and skill in the legs for the launches and the steps.
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IS9RGvmeWg
CATALUÑA: SARDANA
It is a collective dance. In this dance doesn´t mind the number of dancers. They have to dance holding hands and forming a circle. Nowadays, thanks to the support of institutions and intellectuals, it has become the national dance of Cataluña.
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY-qI4lbbrc&feature=related
You can see this type of dance, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VljOe_DxsA&feature=related