Flamenco singing classes in Barcelona

How you learn to sing flamenco

A flamenco singing class works on the voice (breathing, pitch, placement), the compás of each palo and the repertoire: the traditional lyrics and melodies of tangos, soleá, seguiriyas, alegrías or fandangos, learnt by ear from listening to classic cantaores. Classes are almost always individual or in very small groups, because every voice needs its own correction.

With or without guitar

Schools that also teach guitar often accompany singing classes with a guitarist or the teacher themselves on guitar, and that's an advantage: learning to come in and lock in with the guitar is half of singing. At schools that don't, you work with recordings and joint rehearsals are organised.

Levels, from beginners to teacher training

Beginners level works on compás and two or three simple palos; the intermediate level widens the repertoire and vocal technique; specialisation moves into the harder cantes and accompanying dance. One of Barcelona's schools also offers singing teacher training, and the ESMUC an official master's in flamenco performance with a singing track, with an entrance exam.

Online singing

Singing suits individual online classes well: most of the schools on this page offer it, and it's the way in for anyone who lives outside Barcelona or wants to study with a specific teacher. You'll need a stable connection and, ideally, a better microphone than your laptop's.