Toques: the Rhythmic Forms of Flamenco
Arts & Entertainment → Books & Music
- Author Emre Sabuncuoglu
- Published February 4, 2011
- Word count 402
You may have heard the term "Soleares" tossed about in reference to Flamenco music. You may have also learned that Soleares was but one example of a Flamenco toque. At this point, you may ask, "But what is a toque? The word 'toque' comes from the Spanish word 'tocar,' meaning 'to touch, to hit.' In this sense, it refers to the touch of the guitarist's hand on his instrument.
In Flamenco music, the word has three senses. When the article, 'el,' (the) is used before 'toque,' i.e., 'El Toque,' it refers to the entire art of the Flamenco guitar. Similarly, 'El Cante' refers to Flamenco singing, while 'El Baile' speaks of Flamenco dance. The second sense in which Flamenco players use this word has to do with style. When you hear a reference to the toque of a particular guitarist (tocaor), it speaks of the guitarist's repertoire and playing style. Most commonly, however, the word 'toque' describes the diverse rhythmic forms used in Flamenco music.
In this sense of the word, Soleares is one of the most important Flamenco toques. Other toques of cardinal importance in Flamenco include Seguiriyas, Alegrias, Bulerias, Tangos and Fandangos. Each toque, typically given a plural name, such as 'Soleares,' or 'toque por (for) Soleares,' is a form or variety of Flamenco. As you familiarize yourself with Flamenco music and its terminology, you will learn to differentiate the various toques by their unique repeating patterns of beats and accents (their compas), distinguishing keys, harmonic structure, and expressive range.
The toques have different regional origins. Their names usually reflect their roots. The dance (baile) and song verses (coplas) of the singing styles (cante) associated with each toque are also distinct. Some toques do not require a consistent and regular rhythm. We call these 'en toque libre,' meaning 'in free time.' Many forms of Fandangos fall under that category, as well as some regional variations. Most toques, though, have both a regular beat and a fixed pattern of accented beats, together making up the compas. As we have said earlier, the guitarist should observe this strict meter both in rasgueo passages and in falsetas.
Master the knowledge of these toques, and you will begin to understand the heart of Flamenco music. Your online Flamenco guitar teaching will pay off as you develop your understanding of this traditional Spanish folk art.
Emre Sabuncuoglu teaches the art of the Flamenco guitar in Los Angeles Guitar Academy's online Flamenco guitar lessons, one of LAGA Online's signature programs. Beginners can take advantage of LAGA Online's free Flamenco guitar lessons simply by going to the website.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Music And Identity: Exploring The Role Of Music In Shaping Culture And Identity
- Press Release: Embark on an Unforgettable Cosmic Adventure with Super Galactic Fantastic Dimension
- Blast Off into Adventure: 15 Must-Read Science Fiction Books!
- SnapReview of “Roman : Men of the Falls 2” by Melanie Moreland.
- Blast Off into the Exciting Universe of Sci-Fi: 20 Reasons Why We Love It!
- Exploring the Galaxy: What Sets Sci-Fi Apart from Fantasy?
- Exploring Romance in Fantasy and Sci-Fi: What's the Deal with Clean vs. Explicit Romance?
- Unleashing Your Inner Wordsmith: A Guide to Becoming a Great Author in the Fantasy and Science Fiction Genre
- Why I Prefer Character Driven Fantasy and SciFi Books
- Biography of Justin Sharkar
- Beat Swing: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
- How to include God the Father in our daily lives.
- Nurturing the Mind: Exploring “Bedlam in Paris” and the Path to Healthy Mental Escapes
- How Listening To Music Enhances Your Workout
- The Power of Music - Choosing the Right Wedding Entertainment
- What is a good song to say goodbye at a funeral?
- Facebook Video Download for iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide
- About the book titled The Inside of Indian Sculpture.
- Facebook Video Downloader with Link: Your Ultimate Guide
- The Art and Essence of Photography: A Review of Bruce Barnbaum's Books
- Kicking It With Eve Nadel Catarevas, Author of RENA GLICKMAN, QUEEN OF JUDO
- "Windows" by Clyde: A Promising Prelude to the Upcoming "Baby Steps" Project
- Swedish Rapper "ScamGodMillionaire" Sets Japanese Music Scene Ablaze
- 6 acts who nailed the dreaded sophomore album
- A Creative Writer: Breathing life into words
- Vox AI Review - Unleashing the Power of Artificial Intelligence
- From Concrete Jungle to Southern Reign: Tracing the Demise of NY Hip Hop and the Southern Domination in Rap
- The Marvelous World of Cigar Box Guitars: A Testament to Creativity and Musical Ingenuity
- Beyond Hogwarts: Discovering the Diversity of Fantasy Fiction Authors
- Why Does Exploration Fantasy Works The Best?