Madrid v. Andalusia

[Black Sheep]

I am told that the Flamenco scene in there two cities/areas is different... can someone explain whether this is true or not?

With grateful anticipation, thanks...

[falseta]

Hmmmm.... no replies yet? I am looking forward to this response as well!

Anyone been to both Madrid and Andalusia?

[federico]

It is not that Andalusia and Madrid are so different in the styles of FLamenco it is that there are three types of forms of style in FLamenco. Most of this has to do with the dance. THere is the gypsy dance style, that is more earthy and within the culture away form the tourists. There is the Academy style where it is a more disciplained and counted style, and there is the street Flamenco which is what most Andalusians do. THis is mostly at private parties and occasions. Believe it or not, the Gypsies of Andalusia are the strongest in dance when it comes to Bulerias and Rumba. THere is no counting like the academy style of dance. They know what to do because they grew up with it and can let loose. It is almost the same way with the street style. The academy style on the other hand is more schooling and less feeling and magic. Street style and academy style can be Sevillanas but cannot be Gypsy. A bulerias on the other hand that is learned in the academy is harder to pull off well than a street style or Gypsy style, where there is instantanious improvisation without even thinking about it. In madrid many good Spanish Flamenco guitarists don't even play for the dancers any more and many of the guitar players in the FLamenco shows are from other countries like Japan, South America and the UK and US. Spaniards will not play for such little money any more, although with the change in the economy recently , who knows what will happen. Hope this helps.

[Black Sheep]

Thanks for that very comprehensive answer... I did hear somewhere that other nationality players were moving in to Madrid as the locals were not happy with the low pay for 'gigs'.

[deteresa]

The way I see it, these days there are 3 distinct schools of Flamenco guitar playing. There are others but these are the main ones: Jerez, Seville, and Madrid (specifically Cañorroto neighborhood)
Jerez is the most traditional, where guitar playing is still primarily for accompanying singers and juergas. There are a number of great young accompanying and solo guitarists following in the footsteps of Parilla and Morao, who keep it really old school and gypsy.
Seville toque is more modern and more professional, while still retaining a great deal of purity and breadth of styles. It's the epicenter of Flamenco in Andalucia and cranks out many fine guitarists whose style is somewhere between Jerez and Madrid.
Now Madrid is traditionally where Andalucian flamencos have gone in order to become professional, working musicians. As such, there is an extremely high level of talent and virtuosity in Madrid among serious, dedicated musicians. Especially in the Cañorroto neighborhood, there are several brilliant young guitarists who all exchange ideas together, including Jesus de Rosario and Antonio Rey. Aesthetically, the guitar style is heavy on the Bulerias, and very innovative and technical, with slick, professional recordings.
So where you go to study or hang out really depends on what kind of Flamenco you like...I will tell you there is a good reason I went to Seville and Jerez and not Madrid