Flamenco rhythms for all styles.
Jose María Parra.

"Flamenco rhythms for all styles" is a book divided into three sections. The first is for the general public and describes the origins, history, and classification of all styles of flamenco music. The evolution of the art is detailed through time as well as its main exponents and the areas where it has developed.

The second section offers a musical study of the rhythms of the styles that may analyzed in this way, and is presented in the same way as the first part. This section is for musicians and aficionados that want to take on a more serious study of the art. It is illustrated with circles that relate the rhythmic structure to the face of a clock.

In the last section of the book, titled, "My Experience in Flamenco, First Hand," the author recalls his relationships with some of the best known artists and offers guidelines to discover and to learn about flamenco music. This section features many personal anecdotes, and is illustrated with photos, posters, and documents.

José María Parra Expósito (Barcelona 1964) has been closely tied to the flamenco world since he was ten years old. He began performing as a singer, using the name "Parrita" in contests and shows organized in peñas (clubs for enthusiasts) around the Badalona area. At the age of sixteen he began to study the guitar with the maestro Juan Trillas. A year later he participated in the contest "Gente Joven," sponsored by Spanish television, in which he accompanied Agustín el Cacereño, with whom he would later record the album "Sello Extremeño." He has accompanied artists such as Niña de la Puebla, Manuel Ávila, La Galleguita, and Miguel Poveda, among others. He has worked to construct an association called "Flamenco Vivo" designed to study the roots of flamenco through scientific research. He has been the president of this association since its founding in 1997.