Bulerias

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A bulerias is a fast flamenco rhythm in 12 beats with emphasis in two general forms as follows:

1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]

1 2 [3] 4 5 6 [7] [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]

It may also be broken down into a measure of 6/8 followed by a measure of 3/4 counted as such:

[1] 2 3 [4] 5 6 [1] a [2] a [3] a
[12] 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11

When performed, the buleria usually starts on beat twelve of the compas, so the accented beat is heard first. It is played at about 240 beats per minute, most commonly in an A-phrygian mode, with a sharpened third to make A major the root chord. A typical rasgueado (a strumming pattern that sets the rhythm) involves only the A and B-flat chords as follows:

A A [Bb] - - [Bb] A [A] A [A] - [A]

It originated from Jerez, originally as a fast, upbeat ending to soleares or alegrias (which share the same rhythm and are still often ended this way). It is among the most popular and dramatic of the flamenco forms. The name bulerias comes from the Spanish word burlar, meaning "to mock".

The style and rhythms are similar to kathak dancing of northern India. There were several migrations from this area in the 9th-13th centuries and Hindu dancers performed in festivals in the ancient city of Gadir (now Cadiz), established by the Phoenicians.