FINALLY - after all my rabbit holes, I'm rewarded!  

I've listened to Flamenco, how the musician can solo or intimately interact with singer & dancer.  I'm starting to get the feel of the 12-beat compás, understand the concept of swapping out riffs & falsetas, know the phrygian mode/chords and the Andalusian candence... but how do I know what to do where for a palos? 

Took me FOREVER, but I found a website (in English!) that has this info!

But FIRST: there IS a bunch of jargon specific to Flamenco - more that I've covered in my Flamenco threads.  Here's a great overview in the context of Bulerías & Tangos, of dancer to musician: Glossery of Flamenco Terms: Discussion & Exploration of Letra.  Also: Glossary of Flamenco Terms - Wikipedia

Okay, on to the good stuff! 

Flamenco Forms (Palos) 

This is the Flamenco Studio site list of 24 Palos links and beautiful family tree chart! 

Once you click on a Palos link you'll find history, general form, compas, etc... the 'TOQUE' section shows/explains the music structure/chords for the accompanist. 

Flamenco includes dozens of different forms, known as palos, each a unique combination of rhythm, harmony, pulse, and lyrics. There are light festero (festive) forms and deeply expressive cante jondo (deep song) forms. There are regional forms and forms associated with individual artists. Some forms grew directly out of Andalusian folk music; others were created in the 20th Century. 

The details that distinguish one form from another can be subtle and confusing. Even flamenco aficionados can sometimes be confused about what form they're listening to when they hear a piece for the first time. Don't let this throw you. Eventually, you'll learn to recognize the details that distinguish one form from another.

TWENTY-FOUR Palos to explore on Violin, Viola & Cello! 

Related Flamenco Threads: 

Flamenco Rhythm Thread

Malagueñas in Spain Thread

- Emily