Soleares
The Soleares is one of the most important cantes/bailes in Flamenco. It is traditionally accompanied in the key of E Phrygian mode, but in some cases in A Phrygian mode (sometimes guitarists refer to the latter as Solea por Bulerias, but the distinction is actually in the letras of the cante). It is characterized by a 12 count compas (both types are used). However, the 6/8, 3/4 compas is often played half as fast as discussed earlier, which actually makes it 6/4, 3/2; the accentuation and counting are the same, except the foot (in accompaniment) taps on every quarter note (count).
The Soleares cante has many forms; usually a copla (verse) sets a theme in a one or two compas "question" and than answers it, often in a two compas sequence that includes the cambio (a brief excursion to the relative major). The cambio serves a similar function to the "hook" in popular music, or the "turnaround" in 12 bar blues.
The dance uses llamadas (calls) to distinguish and mark different sections of the dance. Often a taconeo (footwork) solo is included in the 3/4 12 Count "question/answer" form.
The entrance to the cante is marked by a vocal sequence in which the singer "warms up" called the temple. The Soleares dance usually ends with a Bulerias finale (at a more rapid tempo than Bulerias when interpreted in its own right). The finale to the cante when sung alone is usually terminated by a sequence in E major (for the E Phrygian mode) called the remate.
The structure of the dance might have the following form:
- Entrance
- Temple (dancer marks compas)
- Letra to cante (6/4, 3/2 12 count compas form)
- Llamada
- (Repeat above section if desired)
- Taconeo Solo with buildup
- Llamada (leading to Bulerias)
- Bulerias (Jaleo)
- Desplante
- Bulerias (6/8, 3/4)
- Desplante
- (repeat Bulerias/Desplante sequences if desired)
- Final Desplante