What is a Bailaora?
The Bailaora is a traditional and historic instrument of the Spanish region of Castilla y León. The earliest record of its existence dates back to 1086, in an illuminated manuscript called Cantigas de Santa Maria. It has been passed down through generations and continues to be played today.
A Bailaora is a female folkloric singer who sings in Andalusian music. They are usually accompanied by guitarists and dancers, but can also be found singing solo or with many other instruments accompanying them. The Bailaora’s songs are known for their rich history of traditional ballads, fandangos, seguidillas and cantiñas. This musical genre has continued to evolve over the years as it continues to be passed down through generations of unique women singers.
They are also responsible for playing songs that evoke emotions like sadness or happiness. A typical group consists of three people: one who plays the Charango, one who sings, and another who dances while wearing traditional clothing known as “trajes de mujer”.
The sound made by these plates when they’re stuck together is what gives the Bailaora its unique and beautiful tone. When you learn how to play this musical instrument, you’ll quickly discover that it isn’t just different from other instruments; it’s actually easier than most! While learning on paper can be challenging at first, once you’ve learned how to read music on paper, playing the real thing will feel natural and easy!
