FANDANGO DE GAITA:

I have composed a series of tunes in the Fandango de Gaita style, an uncommon time signature in the Gaita music tradition. While gaita players do occasionally enjoy playing “fandangos” or other 6/8 melodies, I have created my own unique version. I designed specific patterns for the three drums to support the melodies I have written. There are two types of fandangos I have conceived: the Fandango Cantado (sung compositions) and the Fandango Largo (instrumental melodies featuring an extended 9/8 pattern).

FANDANGO CANTADO (sung fandango )

The alegre drum mainly plays the fandango pattern found in the Bullerengue tradition. The tambora emphasizes the accents of Bullerengue's llamador drum, adding sticking sounds played on the shell of the instrument. The llamador drum plays on the 2nd and 5th eighth notes of the bar, similar to how hand cymbals are used in brass band fandangos. When vocals enter, the maraca will play a quieter part, and the llamador will shift to a pattern playing on the 3rd and 5th eighth notes of the bar.

FANDANGO LARGO:

These melodies came to me as longer frases, which I could not fit in the regular fandango pattern.