Beginning my Flamenco Journey - Your Insights Welcome!

[Dogsnax]

Hey folks,

Well, I've gone and caught the flamenco bug.

First my guitar history. I've been playing since the age of 8 and I spent my reckless teenage years playing in rock bands, destroying my hearing, and having loads of fun. For some unknown reason, I developed into a fairly good lead guitar player in college and had some success playing in an acoustic band at that time. Fast forward through life a few years....in my mid 30s I became interested in instrumental acoustic guitar and jazz theory. As luck would have it, I developed bad skin allergies (eczema) in my 40s that necessitated a transition to nylon string classical guitars with french polish finish (I'm highly allergic to nickel and formaldehyde). I just turned 54 and I love my two classical guitars built by Robert Garcia. At the same time, I've really become quite interested in flamenco guitar. Nylon string guitar music with "cojones".....love the rhythm and power. I have a Hippner Blanca on order (one of twenty 1951 Barberos he's currently making!).

Flamenco style is so different from classical and I've been contemplating an online intro course to help with establishing proper technique. Adam Del Monte has a beginner flamenco course that looks pretty darn good. Wondering if you have any suggestions or experience with his or similar programs. I live in the New Orleans area and although we have an amazing music community, I'm not aware of any good local flamenco instructors.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide regarding flamenco music, guitars, and learning tools.

Onward and forward. Ole!!

Fred

[Peoriapicker]

Here is some motivation. Have fun with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uqwOkJqpf4

[Paikon]

First of all Good Luck on your Flamenco journey!
Links for Flamenco lessons and Flamenco guitars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdVjpRuvr4w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf4012Cg48U

[toddkreuz]

Thats great! I have a 51 Barbero model as well. Mine is made by Richard
Brune.
I'm sure the Hippner will be amazing! And you cannot lose with Adam Del
Monte. He is a great teacher and player. He's really knows his stuff.

Dont forget to join Foro Flamenco!

http://www.foroflamenco.com/

Best of luck in your flamenco journey.

[Dogsnax]

Originally Posted by toddkreuz

Thats great! I have a 51 Barbero model as well. Mine is made by Richard
Brune.
I'm sure the Hippner will be amazing! And you cannot lose with Adam Del
Monte. He is a great teacher and player. He's really knows his stuff.

Dont forget to join Foro Flamenco!

Thanks Todd, Paikon, and PP! I've already joined Foro Flamenco and I'm soaking up the thread knowledge already.

Todd...you're a great player and I enjoyed perusing your website. Great stuff. I'm realizing in a big hurry that flamenco technique is all about the right hand. How does the old saying go?...."Your left hand is what you know, your right hand is who you are". Sumptin like that.

Hey Todd...my Hippner Barbero is going to have ebony friction pegs. What's your take on the PegHed planetary pegs? Worth the change and stay with the authentic pegs?

Thanks guys!

Fred

[bohemian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=359Bx...nofeather=True

for a little inspiration.

flamencoteacher.com used to be good... have not checked it in a couple years

My first flamenco guitar was a 1961 Ramirez blanca with pegs made by Contreras. Very sorry to have sold it. My second was a Carlos Francisco Vega negra with pegs, sorry to have sold it.. that was a fantastic guitar and he is no longer building.

I then bought a Prudencio Saez blanca.. yup.. sold it.. now the price is triple what I paid in 2004.

I prefered the friction pegs, but meachine tuners do have some advantages... (resale)
Many builders are now using Pegheds including Brian Burns.
I still like friction and prefer rosewood for a tablao style guitar and ebony for upscale.


I never did get where I wanted to, however, that does not stop me.. you have rekindled my interest.. thanks. Time to get or build a flamenca.

Best of luck to you. !

[Dogsnax]

The videos posted in this thread have been amazing. The right hand power and speed is mind-boggling.

The young Russian, Grisha Goryachev:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMCak0-0WNw

[BuleriaChk]

There is some material on my website:

www.flamencochuck.com

[darylcrisp]

some of my favorite youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fAkklHWFYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcAJ73pu2_M

a nice place to visit:
http://www.lafalseta.com/About_LaFalseta.html

like you, I am surrounded by nobody-I have found these to be excellent instruction:

http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/g...-dvd-2584.html
http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/o...-dvd-1131.html
http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/j...-dvd-3985.html

[Alter]

Flamenco guitar is divided in two categories. Lead playing (with all the fancy falsetas etc.) and rhythm (compas). It s a very general way to put it of course, but understanding how the rhythms work both from a guitar and percussion standpoint is crucial. Flamenco begun as music to accompany people singing and dancing, so learning to accompany, holding a basic compas that is in different tunes (bulerias, alegrias etc.) is a good starting point.

I remember watching some unbelievably good players in spain, but the most impressive one was a guy that wasn't very virtuosic at his playing (the way the known soloists are) but had a reputation for being a great accompanist (i think his name was carlos heredia?). Man, he was something to remember.

[KenW]

1st, I am NOT an expert when it comes to flamenco. Far from it, to the point where I refuse to play it in public. My flamenco abilities are not far removed from "Can you play any of that flamingo music like Roy Clark does?"

What I -do- know is that constantly practicing rasqueados will improve your reflexes and your sense of groove. It's my understanding that flamencos in Granada have a six string block attached to their belts that they are constantly working their right hand out on. the groove is more important than right or wrong notes.

[Dogsnax]

Originally Posted by KenW

1st, I am NOT an expert when it comes to flamenco. Far from it, to the point where I refuse to play it in public. My flamenco abilities are not far removed from "Can you play any of that flamingo music like Roy Clark does?"

What I -do- know is that constantly practicing rasqueados will improve your reflexes and your sense of groove. It's my understanding that flamencos in Granada have a six string block attached to their belts that they are constantly working their right hand out on. the groove is more important than right or wrong notes.

Ken et al,

I so appreciate the study resources and videos. Like most guitar players/performers, I'm probably too self-critical when it comes to my playing, but I've always had a good sense of rhythm and timing - maybe I was a drummer in a previous life? I'm hoping my rhythm skills will be helpful.

I watch the elite flamencos play and their ability to extend the right hand fingers with power and precision is amazing. I've always been good at arpegios, but the finger extension stuff is going to be a whole new ballgame.

As Nietsche said, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. It's all about repetition and establishing new neuropathway patterns.

Thanks so much everyone!

Fred

[The Old Anglo]

Something I found http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy4mArn9Rkk

[ewh2]

Originally Posted by BuleriaChk

There is some material on my website:

www.flamencochuck.com

'Some' material is a understatement.

Chuck has so much material, it would take a long, long time to work through and read it all, and it's amazing and fascinating reading. A lot to learn too.

Thank you Chuck.

***
Daryl, great choice with the Moraito videos. Someone posted his 'Bulerias' on foroflamenco and since coming across I believe it's one of the finest pieces of guitar playing I've come across be it flamenco or otherwise.

[steve j.]

Im enjoying this style,, although the rhythms /compass are not coming naturally, this is what I got so far,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiBJ4TrrGAY