The Bolero

The Bolero

From Spanish folk dances and songs of love and romance comes The Bolero. Associated with dance and song The Bolero originates during the 1800’s with the term ‘Bolero’ from the Spanish verb ‘Volar’ meaning to ‘fly’ which is exemplified in the moves of the dancers (either solo or as a couple) from this period.

The Bolero is played with a slow tempo and is considered a ballad style of music with the quarter note pulse between 74-110 bpm on average. The actual signature Bolero rhythm was played on a pair of castanets, can be played equally as well on maracas. The drum set player duplicates the original sounds of The Bolero easily enough either on a tightly closed hi-hat or by playing the rhythm on the drum rim.

Example 1 – Basic Bolero rhythm

Example 2 – Adding a bass drum to the basic Bolero rhythm