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How to Do the Fandango

This Spanish courtship dance is one filled with flirtation, seduction and temptation. It is considered the foundation for all other Spanish dances, which some call "second-rate imitations." This dance is only ever performed by two people and is meant to simulate passion as the tempo and accompanied movements begin slowly and work into a flourish of desire.

Things You'll Need

  • Castanets
  • Tambourine
  • Flowing dress or skirt
  • Waistcoat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a partner, preferably one of the opposite sex, as this dance is meant to be a flirtation between the two dancers. To be truly traditional, the woman should wear a dress or a skirt with a good deal of flow and movement, while the man should wear an embroidered waistcoat.

    • 2

      The woman uses castanets or snapping fingers to accompany the dance and music. The man sometimes uses a tambourine. This percussion is coupled with foot-stomping.

    • 3

      Begin the dance in a slow and tender manner in time with the music, typically in 6/8 time. Use boastful or coy movements to create a flirtation between yourself and your partner. Try twirling the skirt, sweeping the legs in space or moving toward and then away from your partner.

    • 4

      As the tempo of the music increases, speed up your movements to keep time. Continue to explore the dance relationship with your partner and become more and more attracted to him in your movements.

    • 5

      At certain points the music will stop, and the dancers are to hold their poses, staying in the attitude and mood of the moment in dance. These freezes will occur throughout the dance, becoming more frequent as the tempo increases.

    • 6

      Eventually the teasing and flirting will overcome the two dancers as the speed of the music is ever-increasing. You will succumb to the seduction of each other as you get closer to one another. However, historically, the partners never actually touch one another.

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