Palos are the various forms or styles of flamenco. For the untrained ears every piece of flamenco might sound the same. In reality each palo has a unique combination of rhythmic patterns, harmony, lyrics and a specific emotion it wants to convey.

For example the Bulerias and Alegrias de Cadiz are 12 beats palos danced mostly in festives whereas the Farruca is an 8 beats palo which is usually more dramatic. For the dancer it is important to be able to distinguised between the different palos and the emotion each wants to convey.