Iota (dance)
The iota is a Spanish dance that can be found practically everywhere in Spain . It varies from region to region, although the Aragonese , the Navarre and the Galician variants are probably the best known and most popular. It is sung and danced with castanets . The participants usually wear the costumes of their region. In Valencia the iota used to be danced at funerals. The steps to be taken are reminiscent of the waltz , even if the iota offers a much wider range.
The dance is at the 3/4- stroke , in the chords and melodies prevail priming , fourths or fifths and very clearly sevenths before. The instruments used are 6- and 12-string guitars , lutes , in the Galician variant bagpipes , tambourines and small and large drums .
The subjects of the lyrics are wide-ranging and range from patriotism to sexual innuendo and religion. The texts promote a feeling of togetherness among the dancers. A text form in eight-syllable quartets is predominant. The first and third verses are assonant .
The iota style was used beyond Spain. So he took advantage of Franz Liszt , who wrote one iota for the piano.
Web links
- History of iota (spanish)