Pasodoble
Pasodoble (Spanish: double step) is a fast-paced Spanish military march used by infantry troops. Its speed allowed troops to give 120 steps per minute (double the average of a regular unit, hence its name). This military march gave rise recently to a modern Spanish dance, a musical genre including both voice and instruments, and a genre of instrumental music often played during bullfight. Both the dance and the non martial compositions are also called pasodoble.
This article is about the Spanish dance and music genre. For the German NDW band, see Paso Doble (band). For the Romanian film, see Pas în doi. For the song by Ringo Starr, "Pasodobles", see Liverpool 8.Structure[edit]
All pasodobles have binary rhythm. Its musical structure consists of an introduction based on the dominant chord of the piece, followed by a first fragment based on the main tone and a second part, called "the trío", based on the sub-dominant note, based yet again on the dominant chord. Each change is preceded by a brieph. The last segment of the pasodoble is usually "the trío" strongly played.[1]
The different types of pasodoble – popular, taurino, militar – can vary in rhythm, with the taurine pasodobles being the slowest and the popular being faster and often incorporating voice.
Pasodoble as we know it started in Spain but is now played in a wide variety of Hispanic nations. Each region has developed its own subgenre and personal style of pasodoble, adjusting some formal aspects of the structure to fit their local musical tradition.[2]
In modern Spain, the most prolific composition of pasodobles takes place on the Valencian coast, associated to the festivals of Moors and Christians and the Falles.
In the dance form is very free regarding figures. The dancers must remain one in front of the other, and keep their bodies parallel to each other at all times, leaning slightly to the left. They must give one step per tempo. The left hand of the male and the right hand of the woman must remain united almost permanently. Besides this, almost all motions and figures are accepted, which allows space for dramatization. The dance can be similar to the one-step, except for the speed and number of steps given.