The count is up to 12. Sometimes 11 and 12 are silent with the finale on 10...
Steady on. Too. Much. Information. Let's keep it real simple. The count is to 12 whereas most music the count is to 4. With a lot of rock the accent is on 2 & 4: dum DA,dum dum DA. (Christ it's not easy writing stuff like this down without looking like a 18 month old kid. The Indians have a way to describe it but I'm not going to learn that as well, I can barely keep my head above water as it is...)
With flamenco the accents occur on the path to 12 in regular but uneven ways. That's the key characteristic. It's not evenly split, it's uneven. It's not always the same (although it kind of is if you just imagine you're starting from a different place (WTF, starting from a different place from where I'm starting, that's just madness, how can you imagine you're starting from a different place, what kind of crazy talk is that. Are you on drugs?!)
Stick with me: for example, accents in Solea and Bulerias (although not always…sorry I’m just confusing you now aren’t I?) are on 3/6/8/10/12. So:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
When you start you’re just counting. It’s music, it’s not rhythm. You need to internalise it, you need to be it. So you need to put in the work.
Clap it out, tap your feet, drum on the steering wheel.
When you walk, count it.
If you go for a run, count it.
When you’re in meeting, count it (in your head, not out loud: people will think you’re losing it.)
When on a plane, nod your head to it.
When in bed, dream it.
Emphasise the accents.
I promise you this: after a couple of years it will almost feel right.
Then you’re beginning to be a flamenco.
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