The Fandango, an eclectic mix of folk and flamenco dancing, has deep cultural roots dating back to the Baroque period and the royal court in Madrid, Spain. Here’s some background on the Fandango’s evolution as a musical and dancing phenomenon that continues to this day.
The origins of Fandango dancing and Fandango music are sometimes thought to date back to early Roman and Greek culture, and are sometimes associated as an erotic form of dance that was particularly popular in Rome. Purists, on the other hand, believe that the true origins of Fandango music and the Fandango as a unique dance move can be traced back to the presence of Italian composers in the Spanish royal court during the Baroque period. In fact, while in Madrid, Luigi Boccherini is credited with creating the first slow Fandango.
These fusions of Spanish dance and European sensibilities resulted in a dance and musical accompaniment that began slowly and gently and gradually increased in tempo as the music and dance progressed. The slow build to the conclusion was originally designed for solo dancing, but it quickly evolved to include couples dancing and create variations on the original concept. The Fandango was firmly established as an essential Spanish dance the end of the century.
Fandango music and dance are distinguished a 34-note pattern that begins with an A Minor and progresses to an E Major. Castanets were used in the music from the beginning and are still an important part of the Fandango today. In practice, the Fandango resembles tap dancing in appearance, with rapid foot movement and intentional steps that naturally lead into the next. The Fandango dance can be performed a single person, but it can also be performed a couple.
It is not uncommon to see couples of the same gender as well as mixed genders performing the Fandango in Portugal, where it has had a high profile for decades. When a couple is doing the Fandango, one partner usually takes the lead and sets the pace and sequence of routines, while the other partner follows. A brief interlude in which a step known as dragging the feet will be used to switch the lead from one partner to the other. The Fandango has also been used as slang for any type of quarrel or dispute that becomes somewhat spectacular because the dance is somewhat of a competition between the two partners to see who can perform the most eye-catching moves.
For many years, the Fandango has been a popular attraction in the United States, especially in the southwestern part of the country. The Fandango is considered to be an essential when it comes to learning dance moves for use in polite society. It is frequently performed on stage and is taught as part of basic dance instruction at many dance studios.