Meryem Koufi was not born a gypsy in Andalusia: flamenco singing, she learned it. And that’s probably why she knows how to pass it on. Around her, in this room in Arles, fifteen students, passionate, who battle valiantly with the complexity of this art of oral tradition. “I didn’t grow up in itsays Meryem Koufi, but it’s music, it can be learned, you have to listen a lot.”
And the students are doing quite well, each with their own difficulties. Sandrine comes from Grenoble: “For me, what is difficult is the pronunciation in Spanish, that’s hard and then getting into rhythm with the guitar.” Because the course is accompanied on the guitar by Gregorio Ibor-Sanchez, from Nîmes. For years, he has patiently accompanied the master class of the festival. Elizabeth, who comes from Lyon, knows that mastering the compass, the specific rhythm of flamenco will take time: “We will be able to really get into it, but improvise, that will be for later“, she breathes. Once the shyness of singing in front of others is overcome, Meryem’s students begin to put emotion into their singing: “It’s something strong said Elizabeth, we’re going to look for intimate things deep inside us, that’s what’s interesting, what’s going to bring out those things.“
Contrary to popular belief, singing can be learned and above all explained: “Everything is explainedsaid Meryem, because the Andalusians live like that, it’s a philosophy of life, so it’s good to give people keys to understanding so that they listen differently.”
For this lesson, Meryem has chosen a tango, singing in four beats, more affordable for beginners. For the palos (flamenco genres), in twelve beats, like the buleria or the solea, it will be necessary to work, again and again. Flamenco is earned.