A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Jota

by George Grove

JOTA (pronounced Hota, with a strong guttural aspirate). One of the most characteristic of the North Spanish national dances. It is a kind of waltz, always in three-time, but with much more freedom in the dancing than is customary in waltzes. 'It is danced,' says a ^[1]traveller, 'in couples, each pair being quite independent of the rest. The respective partners face each other; the guitar twangs, the spectators accompany, with a whining, nasal drawling refrain, and ^[2]clapping of hands. You put your arm round your partner's waist for a few bars, take a waltz round, stop, and give her a fling round under your raised arm. Then the two of you dance, backward and forward, across and back, whirl round and chassez, and do some nautch-wallah-ing, accompanying yourselves with castanets or snapping of fingers and thumbs. The steps are a matter of your own particular invention, the more outrés the better; and you repeat and go on till one of you tires out.' Every province in the North has its own Jota, the tune and style of which have existed from time immemorial. Thus there is a Jota Aragonesa and a Jota Navarra, quite different in melody and accompaniment, but always in three-time. Of the former, a better example could hardly be given than that which forms the chief subject of Glinka's orchestral overture or piece 'Jota Aragonese.'

Of the Jota Navarra, an equally good and simple specimen is to be found in the second part of Sarasate's Spanish Dances (op. 22).

The Jota is much played in the North of Spain, and wherever it is heard a dance is sure to be the instant result.

[ G. ]

1. Major Campion. 'On Foot In Spain.' 1879, p. 157.
2. This is quite Oriental.