TARANTA - 'Rhythm of the Month'

TARANTA - 'Rhythm of the Month'


Taranto is a variety of taranta which has often been adapted to the steady rhythm of a slow zambra in order to allow it to be danced, a relatively new development which came about as a result of the theatrical dancers' search for new forms to interpret. Carmen Amaya is generally believed to have been the first to dance taranto in the nineteen-forties. In addition to verses of of cante, the dance contains 'llamadas', as in soleá and other forms, and an escobilla or heelwork section for which the variation transcribed below is the traditional accompaniment. The dance is ended with 'tangos' with the singer singing a bit of traditional tangos or even rumba.