A large flamenco shawl is an essential and versatile part of the flamenco dancer’s wardrobe, as well as being a dramatic prop (see Working Shawls). They can be wrapped around your upper body in a number of ways to make an attractive top. If the fringe is short enough, they can be tied around your waist to give a “gitana”… Read more →
Castanets are traditionally made from wood – the harder the wood, the better the sound. The traditional wood is granadillo, but ebony, rosewood, pomegranate and oak also work. The more you use wooden castanets, the better they sound. To play at their best, they must also be kept warm and dry (many flamenco dancers keep their castanets in a woollen… Read more →
The sound of castanets is instantly identifiable – outside Spain at least! – as flamenco. Flamenco purists dismiss castanets as not being “authentic”, but in fact, there are a lot of things about modern flamenco that aren’t authentic – so why pick on castanets? Look carefully at the hand position in this clip: If you want to play castanets well,… Read more →
What’s a working shawl? It’s a large shawl you use as a prop, not one you wear around your shoulders. Some shawls are easier to work with than others, and your needs will change as you become more skilful. Non-flamenco dancers may have seen men twirling and flicking a cape in dances like the paso doble: Whether the shawl dances… Read more →
