All About Siguirilla ( or is it Seguiriya?)

Siguirillas (also spelled Seguirillas, Seguiriya, Seguidilla- take your pick!) is an intense palo, considered cante jondo (deep song.) It’s similar to Solea in that it is profound and extremely soulful, however, it tends to be more aggressively danced if the tempo is faster. Otherwise, it can also be danced to a syrupy slow tempo.

When I first learned this rhythm, my teacher taught it as a “backward Buleria” or as a “12 count” with the accents on 12/2/4/7/10.

12 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10

BUT it’s generally counted in fives!!! 1 and 2 and 3 and and 4 and and 5 and 1 and 2…..

1 – | – 2 – | – 3 – | – | – 4 – | – | – 5 – | – 1 – | – 2 – | – 3 – | – | – 4 – | – | – 5

So, if technically you *could* count it in 12’s, it’s only counted in 5’s in Spain. So, be sure to learn it that way!

The format of the dance is pretty standard, except the final fast letra (which is Bulerias for 12 count dances or Tangos for 4 count dances) is called the Macho. The Macho also serves as the estribillo (ending chorus.)

General Structure of Siguirillas:

• Falseta– melodic guitar
• Entrada– singer starts with ay, ay, ay
• Llamada– dancer “calls” the singer to sing with a percussive break
• Letra– singing verse
• Escobilla– long footwork section
• Macho– ending chorus

The letra itself can be minimal (7 or 8 compases) if the lyrics are sung simply. However, that never happens! Singers exteeeeeeend the lyrics over many compases and add many quejíos (ay, ay, ay). So, a simple letra of 7 compases can be extended to 18 (yes, 18) compases. Needless to say, it’s super important to LISTEN to the cante!

Here is a solo by Claudia Cruz along with a breakdown of the overall performance. Then you can watch some of my other favorite Siguirillas solos and see if you can recognize any of its parts. Enjoy!

0:00 entrada/llamada is an escobilla

:53 letra 1

2:33 remate

2:44 falseta

3:20 cierre

3:34 letra 2

4:54 cierre

5:20 escobilla

5:48 falseta

6:42 remate/cierre

7:25 palo seco- subida

8:32 macho

Fuensata la Moneta

Saray de los Reyes

Olga Pericet

Patricia Guerrero

Adela Campallo