|
‘El baile
flamenco’ by Manuel Salado. Special Feature
Private baile classes
at home
Flamenco-world.com, December 2004
Although the following of flamenco dancing is completely
international, access to the classrooms where you can learn
it is difficult for many students. And for that reason, audiovisual
methods are always useful that support the study and learning
of baile... at home. Joining the didactic offer available
on DVD is the method directed by Manuel Salado, entitled ‘El
baile flamenco’ (‘Flamenco Dancing’). The
collection consists of ten volumes in order of flamenco styles
which combine the DVD with a CD containing the music separately.
The lessons can be followed in Spanish, English, French and
Japanese, from different perspectives: baile complete with
the wardrobe, entire-body exercises and feet technique. The
course targets pupils with a beginner's and intermediate level.
Frame from 'El
baile flamenco'
Each chapter of ‘El baile flamenco’ is structured
in such a way that the student gradually goes deeper into
the lessons. With the aim of making one familiar with the
baile to be studied, the option is offered of watching the
choreography in its entirety, performed by the star bailaora,
maestra Carmen Gamero. Dressed in clothes appropriate for
the stage, she performs the entire piece on a tablao, while
the cante and guitar can be heard.
Once the technique is understood, it is time to move on to
the exercises, where the choreography is broken down completely,
without music. The instructor, in black rehearsal clothes
to allow the movement to be seen clearly, performs the exercises
two ways: with her entire body, so that the arm positions
and postures can be appreciated; and only with her feet, with
the camera at floor level to show in detail which part of
the foot is striking. At the beginning of each exercise, its
specific ‘flamenco’ name is explained in the narration.
The meaning of each term is described in the libretto inside
each volume in the four languages: cierre, escobilla, remate...
When the pupil has attained a certain mastery of the technique,
it is time to use the CD with the music broken down at different
levels. The sound of the entire baile can be heard with cante
by Jeromo Segura, Juan María Real on guitar, Manuel
Salado on clapping and, of course, the feet of the maestra.
The music is afterwards displayed broken down according to
the different parts of the choreography, without the sound
of the feet, with the aim of it being the pupil who makes
his own steps heard.
Frame from 'El
baile flamenco'
Should the student have a hard time getting a hold of the
rhythm of the style in question, another section on the CD
just allows the clapping and guitars to be heard repeatedly.
The choreography music is again displayed completely without
heel tapping, and finally, also without cante... in case the
pupil also dares to practice this other aspect of flamenco.
Specific explanations are given about how to apply both the
DVD and the CD in the libretto, where you may find details
on the table of contents, methodologies, glossaries and credits.
With perseverance and work, like all flamenco dancing figures
do, the student will be able to acquire a base if he is a
beginner, review his knowledge if he is at the intermediate
level and even extend his repertoire if he already lets his
art be seen on stages.
| All the DVDs (also available
individually) |
magazine@flamenco-world.com
|
