Tarantella – The Folk Dance Music of Italy
Contents
Tarantella is a folk dance music of Italy. The music is fast and upbeat, and the dance is performed by couples who dance in a circle.
What is Tarantella?
Tarantella is a traditional folk dance from southern Italy, usually accompanied by music with a fast, upbeat tempo. The dance is thought to have originated in the 16th century, and it takes its name from the tarantula spider. Legend has it that people who were bitten by the spider would dance to relieve the resulting symptoms (which were actually caused by a reaction to the spider’s venom).
The Tarantella is danced typically by couples, who holding hands form a circle or spiral and move counterclockwise around the central piazza. As the music becomes more excited, dancers begin to break off from the circle and whirl around individually. At the end of the dance, all the dancers join hands again and circle around once more before departing.
The music of the Tarantella is characterized by its fast tempo and dizzying melodies. It is typically played on a mandolin or fiddle, with other instruments such as guitar, accordion, or tambourine joining in for added effect.
The History of Tarantella
The Tarantella is a folk dance that originates from the southern regions of Italy, particularly the regions of Apulia and Calabria. The dance is believed to have originated in the 16th century, with some historians claiming that it even dates back to the 15th century. The dance is named after the tarantula spider, as it was believed that the bite of this spider could only be cured by frenzied dancing.
The music of the Tarantella is just as unique as the dance itself, and features a fast-paced, energetic rhythm that is perfect for dancing. The most common instruments used in Tarantella music are the fiddle, accordion and tambourine. The fiddle provides the melody for the song, while the accordion and tambourine provide additional rhythm and energy.
If you’re ever in Italy during the summer months, be sure to check out a Tarantella festival – you’ll be sure to enjoy the lively music and atmosphere!
The Different Types of Tarantella
Tarantella is a folk dance that originated in Italy. The word “tarantella” comes from the Italian word “tarantola,” meaning spider. The etymology of the word “tarantula” is unknown, but it is thought to be derived from the Latin word “tarantus,” which means scorpion. The tarantella was originally danced to ward off the poisonous effects of the tarantula spider, which was thought to cause a condition known as tarantism. Tarantism is a condition characterized by shaking, trembling and an uncontrollable desire to dance. Today, the tarantella is danced for enjoyment and is not considered to be a medical treatment.
There are many different types of tarantella, each with its own unique steps and music. The most common type of tarantella is the Neapolitan Tarantella, which originated in the city of Naples. This type of tarantella is characterized by fast-paced music and energetic dancing. Other popular types of tarantellas include the Sicilian Tarantella, Calabrian Tarantella and Piedmontese Tarantella. Each region of Italy has its own distinct style of tarantella.
The Sicilian Tarantella is a slower, more graceful type of tarantella that originates from the island of Sicily. The music for this type of tarantella is typically played on a mandolin or violin. The Calabrian Tarantella is a very fast-paced and energetic type of tarentalla that originates from the southern region of Calabria. This type of tarantinellia features acrobatic dancing and includes many jumps and spins. The Piedmontese Taranteilor originates from the northwestern region of Piedmont and features calming, slow-paced music played on the accordion.
The Instruments Used in Tarantella
Tarantella is a folk dance music that originated in Italy. This type of music is usually played on traditional Italian instruments, such as the accordion, mandolin, violin, and tambourine.
How to Dance Tarantella
The tarantella is a folk dance in 6/8 time that originated in southern Italy, and gets its name from the tarantula spider. The music is fast and lively, and the dance itself is very energetic, involving a lot of spinning and twirling.
If you want to learn how to dance tarantella, there are a few things you should know. First, it is traditionally danced by couples, so you will need to find a partner. The man usually stands on the woman’s left side, and takes her right hand in his left hand.
The basic steps of the tarantella are pretty simple: you just need to walk forward and backward while keeping time with the music. As you walk, you will twist your bodies so that you end up facing each other, then face the opposite direction again. You will also spin around as you dance.
The key to dancing tarantella is to keep moving constantly; there should be no pauses or breaks in the action. The dance is meant to be lively and fun, so make sure that your movements reflect that. Remember to smile and have a good time!
