Bulerías
Flamenco guitar style
Bulería (Spanish pronunciation: [buleˈɾia]; interchangeable with the plural,
bulerías) is a
fast flamenco
rhythm
made up of a 12 beat cycle with emphasis in two general forms as follows:
[12] 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11
or
[12] 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 [7] [8] 9 [10] 11
This may be thought of as a measure of 6
8 followed by a measure of 3
4 (known as hemiola).
For dancers, it is commonly viewed with a compas or bar of 6 counts as opposed to 12.
It originated among the Calé Romani people of Jerez during the 19th century, originally as a fast, upbeat
ending to
soleares or alegrias. It is among the most popular and dramatic of the flamenco forms and often ends any
flamenco
gathering.
The name bulerías comes from the Spanish word burlar, meaning "to mock" or bullería, "racket, shouting,
din".
It is the style which permits the greatest freedom for improvisation, the metre playing a crucial role in
this. Speed
and agility are required and total control of rhythm as well as strength in the feet which are used in
intricate tapping
with toe, heel and the ball of the foot.