Flamenco Guitar
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Flamenco is a Spanish term that refers both to a musical genre, known for its intricate rapid
passages, and a dance genre characterized by its audible footwork. The origins of the term are
unclear as the word also means Flemish or flamingo. The word Flamenco, which applies to the song,
the dance and the guitar, did not come into use until the 19th century.

Flamenco embodies a complex musical and cultural tradition. Although considered part of the culture
of Spain in general, flamenco actually originates from one region: Andalusia. However, other areas,
mainly Extremadura and Murcia, have contributed to the development of several flamenco musical
forms, and a great number of renowned flamenco artists have been born in other territories of the
state. It is generally acknowledged that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Arabic,
Andalusian,Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures that existed in Andalusia prior to and after the
Reconquest. Latin American and especially Cuban influences have also been important in shaping
several flamenco musical forms. Flamenco is played with a flamenco guitar.

Once the seeds of flamenco were planted in Andalusia, it grew as a separate subculture, first
centered in the provinces of Seville, Cádiz and part of Málaga—the area known as Baja Andalucía
(Lower Andalusia)—but soon spreading to the rest of Andalusia, incorporating and transforming local
folk music forms. As the popularity of flamenco extended to other areas, other local Spanish musical
traditions (e.g. the Castilian traditional music) would also influence, and be influenced by, the
traditional flamenco styles.

During the so-called Golden Age of Flamenco, between 1869–1910, flamenco music developed rapidly
in music cafés called cafés cantantes, a new type of venue with ticketed public performances. This
was the beginning of the "café cantante" period. Flamenco was developed here to its definitive
form. Flamenco dancers also became the major public attraction in those cafés. Along with the
development of flamenco dance, guitar players supporting the dancers increasingly gained a
reputation, and so flamenco guitar as an art form by itself was born.

-- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: January 25, 2009
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco)
Click on the musicians' names for more information about their lives and their music