"El toque" - the indispensable basis

In comparison to the voice and the dance the guitar was less important for the overall development of flamenco. But the guitar players - originally only accompanying the dancers and singers - soon gained a high reputation.

Today the guitar has reached mastery and is a highly valued element of flamenco. Solo flamenco guitar established itself as a separate art form with the great virtuoso Paco de Lucia being the pioneer of that development.

Some exceptional and highly renowned concert flamenco artists blend the original music with modern musical styles, thus fundamentally changing the basic concept of flamenco without abandoning its roots.

For centuries now flamenco has been constantly changing and incorporating new elements. Change is the essence of flamenco because change means life.