Spanish Music Culture

Spain is known for it’s unique music and dance culture that has helped influence the way we see music today. The Spanish culture is filled with traditional music and dance that many other Spanish speaking countries have taken the art and modified it into their own culture. Music and dance, a huge part of the Spanish culture, has many different varieties that gets the whole Spanish community up out of their seats, partying.

The music of Spanish culture is mostly upbeat and energetic, with a fast tempo. Such as the Jota, a traditional music style that is originated in Aragon, Spain. The Jota is very well known in Aragon but it has been widely spread all the way to the Philippines. This type of music style includes a dance, like a waltz, but with more variations. The Jota music style, has songs that are diverse content with interpretations. Another fast up beat music style is the Fandango. Fandango means “a big fuss,” or “nonsense.” This style has dances that are very lively and energetic. This style, like the Jota, has been spread to the Philippines, and also to Portugal. One of the most energetic, music style is the famous Flamenco. The flamenco is famous for its very entertaining singing, dancing, guitar playing, and hand clapping. With it’s intricate dance moves and musical abilities, Flamenco has become popular all over the world, even all the way to Japan. Another, very popular music style, originating in Seville, is similar to the Flamenco style, the Sevillanas. Sevillanas is a type of folk music, which can be heard in most of southern Spain, during festivals and fiestas.

The dancing for Sevillanas is usually an old folk dance, that is danced by people of all ages and genders. Also, there is the Zambra. Zambra is another type of Flamenco, which the dance includes barefoot and finger cymbals. The dance mostly resembles belly dancing and is sometimes performed by gypsies for tourists. Then, there is the Paso Doble. The Paso Doble, meaning “double step,” in Spanish, is a traditional quick step dance with a march – like musical style. The musical style of Paso Doble is played during the entrances of bullfighters. The lively dance of Paso Doble is performed in couples traditionally in ballrooms. Also a very traditional dance in Spain is the Sardana. The Sardana is a circle dance performed with several couples, where they would hold hands and circle around. Originating in Catalyuna, the Catalans consider the Sardana dance as a symbol of national unity and identity. The next traditional Spanish dance is the Muiñeira. This music-style is performed with soulful bagpipe music in variant types of time signatures. The Muiñeira is an expressively and lively dance and music – style. The dance of the Muiñeira includes a playful character. The last type of traditional music genre/dances of Spain is the Bolero.

The Bolero is one of the most oldest and most traditional type of dance in Spain. The dance is accompanied by a slow tempo with castanets and guitars. The dance can either be performed as a soloist or a couple. The Bolero has been very popular for over a century, now. Many of Spain’s traditional music type has been influencing the modern music of pop, hip hop, rap, and rock. The most memorable names of Spanish speaking artists of modern day music are Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, and Enrique Iglesias.

The Spanish culture of traditional music and dance has been greatly well known and popular from all over the world; with Flamenco dancing, reaching all the way to Japan; the Jota, stretching to the Philippines; and the Fandango, spreading over to Portugal. The evolution of traditional Spanish music and dance has influenced the music we hear today. Music and dance, a great part of Spanish culture, has made people all over the world come together and influence their music into the Spanish culture, to create the music we would hear today.