Flamenco Compas Accompaniment
Rhythm and Palmas in Midi Format

by "Flamenco Chuck" Keyser P.O. Box 1292, Santa Barbara, CA 93102

Copyright: Charles H. Keyser, Jr. 1996 ©

"He was born with the gift of laughter, and a sense that the world was mad" (Scaramouche)

Return To:

Flamenco Information Page
Compas Analysis
Compas Analysis (Addendum)
Compas Analysis Audio Examples (Audio Examples of the Compas Forms)
Academy Brochure
Soleares, Bulerias Audio Examples
Alegrias, Siguiriyas Audio Examples

The following page illustrates some of the Flamenco compas cycles. It is meant to be fairly general, with the idea that the MIDI files can be downloaded, looped, and used as basis for your own variations. Mix and Match with your sequencer (such as Passport, or Voyetra - there are a number available; most likely one came with your sound card).

See the Compas Analysis and the Addendum for a complete discussion.

(F = Foot, C = Clap, T = Tongue)

| | = measure, , |: :| = repeat measure, [Time Signature], (silent count/rest), accent

All counts are even in time (Click on highlighted).

Basic Palmas (Unphrased)

The following is an example of straight palmas (two palmas for each foot tap):

C C C C C C
1 a 2 a 3 a , etc.
F F F
Straight Palmas

The following is an example of counter-palmas (using your tongue as a marking device between foot taps):

F C T C F C T C F C T C
1 a a a 2 a a a 3 a a a , etc.
F F F
Counter-time (Contra-Tiempo)

Phrased Palmas

The 2/4, 4/4 Compas Family

Farruca, Tangos, Tientos, Rumba, Zambra, Taranto, Tanguillo, Zapateado, Garrotin, Columbianas

C C C

|[2/4]: 1 2 3 4 :|

F F

2/4 Basic

C C C

|[2/4]: 1 2 a (3) 4 :|

F F

2/4 "UpBeat"

C T C C

|[2/4]: 1 a 2 a (3) 4 :|

F F

Countertime

C C

|[2/4] 1 2 3 (4) |

F F

Finale

Close (Cierre) = 3 x [2/4] + Final

The 3/4, 6/8 Compas Family

Soleares, Solea por Bulerias, Alegrias, Alegrias por Rosas, Caracoles, Cantiñas, Bulerias, Peteneras, Guajiras, Siguiriyas, Serranas, Fandangos (Grandes, de Triana, de Huelva, de Malaga), Tarantas, Granadinas, Rondeñas, Malagueñas, Sevillanas

C C C

|[3/4]: 1 a 2 a 3 a :| ,etc.

|[3/4]: 12 1 2 3 4 5 :| ,etc.

|[3/4] 6 7 8 9 10 (11) | , (resolution/answer phrase)

F F F

3/4 Basic

C C

[6/8]: 12 1 2 3 4 5 :|

F F

6/8 Basic

C C C C C

|[6/8]: 12 1 2 3 4 5 |[3/4] 6 7 8 9 10 11 :|