Spanish Dance
Spanish dance is a vast subject requiring a lifetime of study, but at BSD we try to cover a little. There are so many different styles.
Regional: dances from all the different regions of Spain, all very unlike each other and many with castanets and very interesting costumes.
Flamenco: perhaps the best known style, which comes from Andalusia in the south of Spain. No castanets, but plenty of emotion! This requires great strength in the legs, feet, arms and back.
Classical: the early Spanish dance that rocked the world in the 19th century. Like Classical ballet, and performed by ballet dancers, but with castanets. This technique is essential for all Spanish dance.
Spanish dance requires much more co-ordination that any other type of dance. To play a castanet rhythm, dance a different rhythm with the feet, move the arms and body, and travel, all at the same time, takes some doing!!
Children start as soon as they can walk in Spain.
Castanets are not difficult to learn to play in the beginning, but they are a musical instrument and, like any instrument, need frequent practice to improve. As with any other instrument, just playing them once a week won't result in much progress, but a little every day has very quick and exciting results.
Mrs Gray often
has some available for sale if she has just been to Madrid, But if not,
they can be purchased from;
El Mundo Flamenco
62 Duke Street
London
W1K 6ST
0207 493 0033
Don't forget the adult flamenco class on Wednesdays!