fandangos

Fandangos refers to a family of traditional dances and musical pieces that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Andalusia, during the early modern period. The term encompasses social dances as well as instrumental or vocal forms, and it has given rise to regional varieties in Spain and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The fandango is often described as lively and rhythmic, and it is frequently linked to the development of flamenco, though it remains a distinct dance form.

Musically, fandangos are typically in triple meter, often in 3/4 or 6/8, with a brisk tempo. Performances commonly feature guitar, castanets, and dancers’ footwork accompanied by handclaps or tambourines. The pieces may be songs or instrumental dances, and many traditions emphasize improvisation within a set rhythmic framework.

Across the Atlantic, fandangos spread to the Spanish-speaking Americas, influencing local folk music and dance traditions and appearing in classical repertoire. In Mexico and parts of the Caribbean and South America, regional versions adapted the style for courtship songs and social dances. Flamenco also includes fandango-related forms such as fandanguillo and fandango de Huelva.

Notable references include Gaspar Sanz’s late 17th-century guitar piece Fandango, one of the earliest well-known instrumental examples. The fandango continued to be used in operas, instrumental suites, and song cycles, helping to popularize the term in classical music.