Flamenco is a musical genre and associated dance originating from the southern provinces of Spain. Characteristic of this musical form are the sometimes Arabic-like sounds, the exuberant musical embellishments around the theme and the strong rhythm within a twelve-count system.
The basis of flamenco is the cante flamenco, the flamenco song. In its most basic version, the cante is often accompanied with a rhythmic beat by knocking with the knuckles on tables, tapping with a stick on the ground (cano roto), by snapping the fingers (pitas) or clapping the hands (palmas).
The singing is usually accompanied by the Spanish guitar and palmas, sometimes supplemented by a tinaja and, since the 1970s, the cajón. Although cante and baile can eventually be accompanied by many classical instruments such as flute, piano, violin and cello, in practice this usually remains the flamenco guitar. Cante flamenco can be supported (also rhythmically) by baile flamenco, the expressive-intense flamenco dance style characterised by powerful grace and often intricate hand movements and footwork.