If you wish to perform the hand claps so characteristic of Flamenco music, called ‘palmas,’ and perform it well, you must have developed extensive skills , as well as knowledge of the compas. Do not be fooled into believing, like many newcomers, that palmas, the vocal encouragements of the jaleo, demand only hit-or-miss enthusiasm. This, however, is far from the truth. Learn it properly, therefore, and you will have a solid technique.
Palmas Sordas
Play palmas sordas, meaning ‘deaf hand claps,’ with your fingers flexed, your hands cupped loosely. Palmas makes a ‘hollow’ sound, less incisive than the louder, sharper sound of palmas fuertes. Flamenco singers play palmas sordas to emphasize the compas while being accompanied by a guitarist. Cuadros, too, may choose to use palmas sordas in quiet passages while accompanying a dance or a song.
Palmas Fuertes
Play palmas fuertes, meaning ‘strong hand claps,’ with your fingers extended rather than flexed. Clap the surfaces of the first three fingers on the palm side of your hand against your slightly cupped left-hand palm, producing a powerful, abrupt sound. Listen to recordings, attend live performances as often as you can in order to understand how palmas are used in various toques. Practice, too, will improve your grasp of this technique. Note that a syncopated counter-rhythm (contratiempo) is often played by clapping on the half-beats. Other performances highlight a rousing, rapid alternation of claps, one performer clapping on the beat, the other clapping on the intervening half-beats. In order to internalize the feel of the contratiempo, practice beating time on the beat with your foot, making the clap sound precisely midway between the beats with your foot, on the half-beats. Build your speed slowly, for accuracy is most important in the beginning.
