Palos Flamencos: A beginners’ guide to how to recognise flamenco styles

First-time flamenco audiences are often surprised to discover that there is not only one flamenco, but many more. Each style, known as palos in Spanish, has its own structure, rhythm and personality. At Teatro Flamenco Barcelona we believe that understanding these styles will help our audiences to enjoy every performance more.

What is a palo in a flamenco show?

In a flamenco context, the palo is the particular style of flamenco. There are more than 50 recognised flamenco styles, although, on a practical level, in a flamenco show there may be perhaps only 12 or so usually. Each of the styles has its own rhythm, characteristic themes to its lyrics and a particular way of performing that distinguishes it from the other flamenco styles. Some of them are solemn, others more festive, some are used for dancing, others only include flamenco singing. This variety of styles is one of the riches of flamenco.

Basic styles and how to identify them.

Here are some of the most representative styles we have in flamenco shows in Barcelona, such as Inspiración at Teatro Flamenco Barcelona.

- Soleá: This is one of the oldest and most respected flamenco styles. It has a 12 beat rhythm and a deep, introspective character. The soleá is a style which is sung and danced as a reflection of solitude and loneliness and it can be recognised for its slow rhythm. 

- Alegrías: In contrast to the soleá, the alegrías are light and lively. They share the 12 beat rhythm but it is a quicker, more festive tempo. The alegrías are typical of Cádiz and are often accompanied by castanets and the flamenco shawl.

- Bulerías: With a quicker rhythm and a lot of improvisation, the bulerías are one of the more complex flamenco styles to perform, both for flamenco singers and flamenco dancers. It also follows a 12 beat rhythm but with a different emphasis which makes it unmistakeable. 

- Flamenco tangos: Not to be confused with the Argentinian tango, the flamenco tango has a 4-beat timing, they are very rhythmical and they usually have a populist tone. It is an ideal style for flamenco dancing due to its constant energy.

- Fandangos: There are many different styles of fandangos and its structure is usually more free in regards to rhythm. It usually begins with an introductory part sung “a palo seco”, which means in a dry style or without musical accompaniment, later allowing the guitar to join in to accompany the flamenco singer. 

Tips for identifying different flamenco styles

Although it is not necessary to be an expert to enjoy a flamenco show, recognising the different styles can enrich the experience. Here are some suggestions: 

- Listen to the beat. Counting the beat, especially in 12-beat styles such as the soleá or the bulería, can help to differentiate. 

- Observe the character of the dance. If the flamenco dance is solemn and contained, it could be a soleá, if it is dynamic and full of changes it is probably a bulería.

- Listen to the flamenco singer. If you don’t understand the meaning of the lyrics, the flamenco style’s emotional tone can give many clues. Is it sad and introspective? It could be a soleá. Is it joyful and festive? Probably a bulería or an alegría. 

In the different performances of Inspiración, the best daily, live flamenco show in Barcelona, there are often many different styles in the same performance. Watching how they appear and the contrasts between the different flamenco styles is part of the magic of the flamenco show. 

Knowing about the different flamenco styles will open the door to a richer and more conscious flamenco experience. At Teatro Flamenco Barcelona we invite you to discover these flamenco styles for yourself at our daily, live flamenco show, Inspiración. There is no better way to learn about flamenco than to see it, listen to it and experience it live. 

Get your flamenco tickets here and let yourself go with the flow of this powerful flamenco show in the heart of Barcelona.