Bulerías Sín Cante
Second Workshop of the Understanding Bulerias Series. DECEMBER – Ay! How to dance and more importantly how to give incredible jaleos so the cante is not missed. If bulerías is all about the cante, what happens when there is no singing? We’ll explore this in December’s workshop. You’ll leave ready to do bulerías anywhere, even if there is no singer, no guitarist, no music…
“Laura is a great dancer, and you can learn a lot just by watching her. But she is truly a teacher as well, and she has been willing to share her experiences of learning this complicated art form. As she absorbs and distills the vast ocean of flamenco stuff that we Americanos aren’t born into and don’t grow up with, she is dedicated to passing what she has learned on to us. Ok, that sounds like an obvious thing that a teacher would do, but actually, it might be a rare combo. There are inspiring teachers who can show you great moves, but they’ve grown up doing those moves, so it’s just hard for them to explain how they do it. Laura has gotten there the hard way, which is how most of us are going to have to get there, and she is determined to give us the benefit of all her hard-earned knowledge as a gift. This is what great teachers do: they open the door for us, and tip us off to shortcuts when they find them, and encourage us by their presence ahead of us on the road. Laura is a very generous teacher. ” – Mia
So now that you’ve learned the ins & outs of bulerías de Jerez* [including the structure of the baile and all of its different parts, how to enter and exit with the cante, the most important thing to respond to (how to identify it and just what to do] it is now time to learn all you need to know about doing bulerías with only jaleos and palmas. This workshop is bastante fundamental too as we often don’t have cante around here, and when there is a singer, often there is only one and they might want a break…
But I thought it was all about the cante.
Sí, el cante manda, unless, of course, there is no cante.
Ok, so what happens if there is no cante?
Then we make up for it with jaleos and palmas…in such a way that the cante is not missed.
Is that really possible?
Absolutely.
But doesn’t there need to be cante for it to be bulerías de Jerez?
No! Not every bulerías needs cante. In fact it can be really fun without…if we do certain things that is,
- with the palmas
- and, here’s the biggie, with the jaleos.
Jaleos are always important, but without cante, they become even more important. Muy muy muy importante. They become absolutely essential; it’s like they take the place of the cante. That is how important they become. And I know, I know, you’ve probably heard that jaleos are to come out naturally when you feel moved. Well, sure, that is one type. But here, we’re talking about rhythmic jaleos specifically for bulerías. Here they take on a different role, and we need to know what this is.
When:
Saturday, December 3 – 11:00 – 1:00
Saturday, December 10 – 11:00 – 1:00
Saturday, December 17 – 11:00 – 1:00
What Will I Learn?
- What to do with the palmas when there is no cante
- How to accompany an entire bulerías (or several) with jaleos
- Two full bulerías dances
- Two full jaleos pieces to go with them
- How to dance a bulerías by yourself, in compás and with jaleos
Expand please
We will study specifically how to give a dancer – even if this dancer is you – great jaleos. Great enough to perform a full bulerías without any singing. We will learn how to do this along with learning the moves. So, you’ll come away with specific jaleos to go with specific bulerías pasos. Just as you learn a set choreography, you will learn a set jaleo piece. (Well, two, really) Then you will learn to mix and match it. Because there is actually much freedom once you get the basics down.
And, don’t worry, we’ll practice doing this in class.
But why can’t I just dance to palmas or guitar if there is no singing?
Because then it really wouldn’t be bulerías de Jerez
What else do I get?
Jaleos cheat sheets. (One for each dance)
What if I am not a dancer?
This workshop is for you too. Because through the study of the dance moves, you will gain an understanding of what the dancer is doing which will allow you to respond with jaleos, palmas, even your guitar if that is what you do. This is an interactive art form, and it is important to understand the different roles in order to do yours better. In addition, we’re talking about bulerías here, the baile of the fín de fiesta…where EVERYBODY gets a chance to dance. This is often my favorite part of a show, getting to see the guitarists and percussionists and singers dance. So much fun. Hmmm, and they often have the best moves. Why is that?
Price:
$80 [for 6 hours of classes & cheat sheets]
or
2 payments of $40 (second payment due Jan. 2012, first payment due December 3)
$35 - Drop-in
Discounts?
Attendees of the last workshop, the Ins & Outs receive a 10% discount, making it $72
But I want to keep working on and solidifying what I learned in the Ins & Outs
I agree, this is important. So, participants of the first workshop have the option to attend the Solidifcation Sessions, 30 minute sessions to play with the November material, to continue practicing hearing what you need to hear in the cante – in cante that varies – and responding as you need to respond. We will also use this time to clarify any questions that arise. The study of bulerías is an ongoing process, think of these sessions as a time to become more comfortable responding to the cante and as a time to allow things to happen more automatically. (I don’t love that word, automatic, because we never want it to be automatic, but I think you know what I’m getting at…)
*But I was unable to take the first workshop?
That’s ok. You can still take this one. Later, when it’s offered again, you might want to take the Ins & Outs to learn the muy importante foundational stuff for interacting with the cante, etc. and to get the supporting eb00k, but you can still participate in this workshop and learn all it has to teach you without having taken the previous one. [If you really want to take it now, contact me and if others want it, I can offer it again in December.]