Ritmo for Ron

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Ritmo for Ron

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Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

Ritmo for Ron

Ron,
I have been working on my rhythm lately, since my acquaintance Gaetano told me to work on my rumba strum. it's amazing how one can play such a simple, repetitive strum and still not get it right. I'm starting to think that at least part of it is in precision. So if you think of the rumba strum as da da da DA _ da da da, repeat, what that is really is 8 "da"s, with the fourth accented, the fifth absent. These should all be played with rhythmic precision. Add that to a good solid accent on the DA, then it should sound pretty good. It goes further than this, I think, but this is a good start.

I think that lead lines (licks) and falsetas need to hold to this internal precision, too. You play a lick in improv or a falseta, and it's not so much about where it ends or starts, but also how the notes fall inbetween. It seems to me that they ALL have to be perfect, not just the big hit on the 10. Maybe that's what seperates the good ball-strikers from the duffers, that internal consistency. That could be how even a melodic line can make you dance, if it is done with perfect rhythm. It would seem that in bulerias, unless you have complete internal understanding of "where you are" at all times, it would be impossible to make the falseta sound good. What do you think?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2004 19:38:13

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Ritmo for Ron (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

It would seem that in bulerias, unless you have complete internal understanding of "where you are" at all times, it would be impossible to make the falseta sound good. What do you think?

Absolutely right Mike.
Flamenco is not a technical challenge to those involved in Classical Music.
It's a music which conveys the ups and downs of life of very ordinary people in Andalucia.
Something that they look forward to as a relaxation on a weekend night.
So unless it's "toe tappin'" then it's really just academic IMO.
I've always liked Rumba myself, and the Gypsy Kings are probably about the best at it.
However, I like the "gentleness" and "sophistication" sort of spin that the Flamenco's put on the toque rather than "over egging" it, which sometimes happens.
I've always loved Paco Peña's "La Lola"!
Here's a wee clip of me trying to play the intro for what it's worth!

www.btinternet.com/~flamenco/lalolaintro1.mp3

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2004 21:32:47