seguidilla - Song, Dance, Types

In Spanish literature, a four-line stanza of alternate 6/7- and 5-syllable lines with the rhyme or assonance scheme abab, the 1st and 3rd lines occasionally unrhymed. The form was established in the 16th-c on the basis of traditional folk lyrics: among its main practitioners were Timoneda, Horozco, Lope de Vega, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, José Benegasi (in his burlesque San Benito Palermo), and modern writers up to the time of Federico García Lorca and Joaquín Romero Murube. If an estribillo of three lines were added, it would become a seguidilla compuesta.

The seguidilla is a quick, triple-time Spanish folksong and dance form.

Song

In general, seguidilla folksongs begin with a brief instrumental introduction, often played on guitar, followed by a salida, which is a small portion of the song text acting as a false start.

Dance

The dance is performed in pairs with animated footwork reflecting the rhythm of the guitar and percussion, yet restrained upper body movement.

Types

The earliest and most influential of the types of seguidilla is thought to be the Castillian style, in particular the seguidillas manchengas, which originated in La Mancha. One of the most complex styles of seguidilla is the gypsy seguidilla (also known as the seguiriya or the seguidilla gitana), which is used in flamenco music.